She was just starting to relax, to think that maybe she could survive this evening intact, when she spotted a familiar figure across the room.
Adrian.
Her brother was standing near the bar, impeccably dressed as always, his dark eyes scanning the crowd with predatory interest. When his gaze found hers, he smiled, and her blood turned to ice.
“Excuse me,” she said to the elderly woman who had been regaling her with stories about Viktor’s childhood. “I need some air.”
But before she could escape, Adrian was already walking toward them, his smile sharp enough to cut glass.
“Sister,” he said, his voice warm and affectionate for the benefit of anyone listening. “You look radiant.”
“Adrian.” She kept her voice level, professional. “I didn’t expect to see you here.”
“Family dinner,” he said with a shrug. “Matvei thought it would be good for alliance relations if I attended.”
Viktor’s hand tightened on her back, and she could feel the tension radiating from his body. He knew about Adrian, knew what her brother had done to them four years ago, but this was the first time they had been in the same room since their wedding.
“Viktor,” Adrian said, extending his hand with false friendliness. “Congratulations on your marriage. My sister seems... content.”
The word was loaded with meaning that only she would understand. A reminder that she was there by his design, that her happiness was contingent on his approval.
Viktor shook his hand, but she could see the barely controlled violence in his eyes. “Thank you. Anka has been... everything I hoped for.”
The double meaning wasn’t lost on Adrian, whose smile faltered slightly.
“I should go find Fedya,” Viktor said, his voice deadly quiet. “She’ll want to meet my wife properly.”
As he guided her away from Adrian, Anka felt the fragile peace they had built that morning cracking under the weight of old wounds and older grudges.
This was going to be a very long night.
Chapter 10 - Viktor
Watching Anka work a room was like watching a master class in social manipulation. Within an hour of arriving at Fedya’s birthday dinner, she had every single member of Viktor’s family eating out of her hand. She remembered names and details from their wedding reception, asked thoughtful questions about their businesses and children, and somehow managed to make each person feel like they were the most interesting individual she’d ever met.
It should have reminded him of how she’d played him four years ago, should have triggered all his old anger and suspicion. Instead, he found himself genuinely impressed by her skill. This wasn’t calculated manipulation—this was Anka being herself, letting her natural warmth and intelligence shine through the polished Bratva princess facade.
“She’s lovely,” Fedya said, pulling Viktor aside as Anka charmed a group of cousins with some story about her art history studies. “Smart, beautiful, and she clearly adores you.”
Viktor followed his brother’s gaze to where Anka was gesturing animatedly, her whole face lit up with genuine enthusiasm. She did look happy, more relaxed than he’d seen her since their wedding. But there was something else there too, a tension around her eyes that spoke of carefully controlled emotions.
“She’s perfect,” he agreed, meaning it more than he cared to admit.
“Then why do you both look like you’re waiting for the other shoe to drop?”
Before Viktor could answer, he caught sight of Adrian Volkov approaching Anka from across the room. The changein her demeanor was immediate and devastating. Her smile became fixed, her shoulders went rigid, and all the natural warmth drained out of her expression like someone had flipped a switch.
“Excuse me,” Viktor said, already moving toward them.
He hung back, positioning himself where he could observe their interaction without being obvious. Adrian was speaking in low, urgent tones, and with each word, Anka seemed to shrink into herself. Her hands were clenched at her sides, and Viktor could see the pulse hammering in her throat even from a distance.
Whatever Adrian was saying to her was upsetting her. Badly.
After a few minutes, Adrian moved away to refill his drink, leaving Anka standing alone near the windows. Viktor waited until he was out of earshot before approaching.
“You okay?” he asked, keeping his voice casual.
She startled slightly, like she’d been lost in her own thoughts. “Fine. Just needed a moment.”
