It’s infuriating. I hate the porcelain doll she becomes. She doesn’t speak unless spoken to. She’s timid and quiet and pretty. I don’t want that. I want sassy and bold and rebellious. I want fierce and sexy.
Someone approaches our table, and Katerina stiffens. She straightens in her seat, pulling her shoulders back in perfect posture.
Interested in seeing who elicits such a response, I look up and see none other than her father.
“I wanted to give my congratulations to the newlyweds,” Viktor says with a smirk.
He holds his hand out to me, and I shake it. He tightens his, but it’s not enough to concern me. I refuse to flinch at the bite. His little game of dominance won’t work on me.
He speaks to me for a few minutes but never addresses his daughter. It’s starting to piss me off. How can a father talk business at his daughter’s wedding? How can he just ignore her on such a special day?
I finally snap.
“Are you going to miss having Katerina around the house? I’m sure it’s a hard day for a father.” My voice bites. I don’t know why I care, but I can’t ignore it.
But Viktor just waves his hand dismissively at his daughter.
“I’m sure she’ll be of better use to you,” he says with a wink. Katerina scoffs in disgust, catching her father’s attention.
“Slushay syuda, ty, malenkaya suka. Ty budesh’ yego ideal’noy zhenoy, ili za eto zaplatish’. Sleduy planu, inache Sergey budet naimenshey iz tvoikh problem.” His endearingtone doesn’t fool me. The way he says it through clenched teeth, and Katerina’s reaction are a dead giveaway.
She blanches, then nods jerkily. Only when Viktor sees her cower and comply, does he turn from her. But I see the way her fists clench. I hear the way she mutters curses under her breath.
“I’ll let you two settle in. Have a wonderful night.” Viktor sly smile brings to mind the distasteful way he spoke of his daughter.
He’s disgusting, and it pisses me off.
As soon as he’s out of hearing distance, I turn to her.
“What did he say?” I demand.
“Nothing important,” she says quickly, but she won’t meet my gaze.
“Tell me.” I leave no room for argument.
“No. It’s none of your business,” she spits out, and it comforts me to hear her back to her bitter self.
I reach out and grip her chin. I turn her towards me more aggressively than I intended. I lean forward until our noses are almost touching, ready to demand answers. With my other hand, I twirl a lock of her long, white-blonde hair around my fingers.
“Actually, my wife is my business. So, tell–” I whisper lowly, but am cut off.
“Look at them! How adorable!” a female voice says, then a flash of light blinds me.
I pull back, one hand reaches for my gun, and my other arm goes across Katerina in protection.
I scan our surroundings for the threat, only to find Margot and Matthias standing at our table. Margot has her phone out, and I realize that the light was her taking a picture.
Katerina grips my arm that’s trapping her against her chair and digs her nails into it. Even through my suit, I can feel thepricks of pain. They shoot a jolt of excitement through me. Then she violently pushed my arm off her.
“Kat! You looked beautiful up there! And this reception, it’s just amazing!” Margot continues to talk, never one to be quiet. It appears she may also be fueled by alcohol. “I’m so glad we got to talk earlier. I’m so excited to have you in the family! Welcome to the Montclairs!”
As she rambles, my brother looks at me helplessly. He pulls her into his arms, as though he can’t go minutes without touching his irritating wife.
I look at my wife, and note she’s looking at the couple with the same confusion as I am. I guess my wife doesn’t understand happily-ever-after either.
Margot mostly speaks to Katerina, and to my surprise, my wife actually entertains the conversation.
Soon, Roman, Cecilia, and Bash find their way to us.
