“Thank you,”’ I say tightly.
He grabs the hammer and brush that match the bottle and proceeds to open it in a way I’ve never seen before. He pours the clear liquid in two tumblers and hands me one.
“To the upcoming nuptials,” he says.
“Cheers,” I say tightly as I lift my glass to his.
“Za zdoróvye!” he says in return as he clinks his glass to mine.
I wait until he’s taken a sip before I bring mine to my lips. In my line of work, you never drink something offered to you until you’re sure it’s clean.
I take a sip and am surprised by its smoothness. There are hints of honey, oats, and vanilla. It’s certainly not the cheap stuff we drank as teenagers.
“This is from the motherland. Beluga Gold Line. Drunk by the elites and oligarchs. One of the finest vodkas in the world.” His proud, celebratory tone has me feeling victorious.
“Thank you for sharing it with me.”
“This is means of celebration. After all, by next month, you’ll be family.” He slaps me on the back jovially, and I almost choke on the vodka.
“Next month?” I knew the treaty needs to happen soon, but I didn’t consider the wedding would be in the next month.
“Of course. We don’t want to waste any time.” His eyes shine with victory, and it lessens the feeling of mine.
“Yes. Next month, I’ll marry your daughter.” Through the smile, I take a long sip of the vodka and note how my life is about to change forever.
Chapter 5
Katerina
I’m too hungry to stay hidden in my room simply because Viktor is having a guest over. He didn’t say I have to stay hidden, just that if I leave, I need to look appropriate. Or, well, his level of appropriate.
I put on my soft makeup and a light pink dress that ends below my knees. I fix my white-blonde hair into loose curls that fall down my back to my hips.
Looking in the mirror, I sneer at my reflection. I look like a doll. A doll that Viktor controls. This pink-clad sweet girl isn’t me. I turn away from the mirror before I break it and abandon my room.
On my way to the kitchen, I hear voices from Viktor’s office. Despite knowing better, I linger, trying to listen, to see if I recognize the other man. I know some of the men that work with him. None of them are men I’d choose to be around. But if it’s my brother or his men, then I’ll gladly say hi.
My brother runs other parts of the operation. I know he’s taking over when Viktor steps down. The men he surroundshimself with are much kinder and more approachable. They don’t make me feel uncomfortable like Viktor’s men do.
I’m so caught up in trying to hear who it is, that I miss their footsteps towards the door. I barely turn down the hallway when the door opens.
And out walks the sexiest man I’ve ever seen. He’s tall, at least six foot five. That leaves him six whole inches taller than me. Not many men are tall enough that I could wear heels and they’d still tower over me. He has dark hair and scruff. It’s sexy on him. His eyes are so dark they’re almost completely black. His olive tone leans towards European or Mediterranean decent. This man is certainly not Bratva. That only makes me like him more.
“Katerina!” Viktor hisses at me. I quickly avert my gaze.
“Sorry, ????,” I mumble and bow my head reverently.
“This is the girl of the hour. Dominic Montclair, meet my daughter, Katerina.” Victor’s voice is so cheerful, I stumble.
What in the hell has him so happy?
I glance at the man, Dominic, and he’s eyeing me disapprovingly. He’s studying me like it’s a test, and I’ve already failed. His nostril rises in so much disgust, I have to look down and make sure I still look decent.
What the fuck is his problem?
This asshole can just fuck on right out of my house. How dare he come in here and look at me like this!Thisis the asshole that had Viktor nervous but now has him grinning?
“Katerina,” Dominic says coldly as he offers me his hand.
