“I agree,” Vera said. “You should definitely wear that tonight.”
“Sienna, if this IT thing doesn’t work out, you could totally be a model,” Kira teased.
Mariya chuckled. “She’s right. And if you see anything else you like, we’re buying it.”
Next, Mariya helped me pick out shoes, jewelry, and a few pieces of sexy underwear that she insisted on. We’d beenshopping for an hour when Pyotr stepped away for a call. When he returned, the warmth in his blue eyes was replaced with coldness.
“That was Lev. We’ve got a problem to handle. Fuck, we might not make the opening. The guards will stay with you, ladies. Artyom’s already booked your rooms at the hotel. When you’re done shopping, head straight there. The kids are on their way. Mariya, you ride with Wexler and Sienna. Got it?”
She nodded.
I watched as Pyotr pulled the guards inside to talk before leaving. Then the women went back to shopping as though nothing happened.
“Aren't you all worried?” I asked, confused, my stomach already turning.
Would Avit be okay? Would the other men?
“We've learned that worrying and working ourselves up isn't going to change what happens to them. You have seen how toned those men are, right?” Katya said. “They train hard for this life. To make it home safely.”
Vera added, “We trust them to come home to us. So, unless we get a call stating that one of the men is in danger, we don’t worry.”
I exhaled deeply and nodded. “I'll try not to worry.”
Over the next hour, the kids arrived, we purchased way more things than we needed, and we headed to the hotel. It was luxurious, something I'd only seen in magazines. Just being in it made me feel…unworthy.
At reception, we were each given keys to our rooms. We showered, slipped into our dresses, then met up in Kira’s room to do hair and makeup.
Once everyone was ready, there was a knock on the door, and Katya went to open it.
Ninel stepped inside with three handsome men, one of whom had his arm wrapped firmly around her waist. The first two buttons of his shirt were undone, and a tattoo curled up his neck, though I couldn’t quite make out the design.
“Sienna! You made it!” Ninel pulled me into a hug.
“I’m glad to be here.”
She stepped back and motioned toward the men who were with her.
“Sienna, this is my husband, Artyom,” she said, resting a hand on his chest. “He’s the leader of the Rykov faction. And these are his brothers—Yegor, his underboss, and Zakhar. Guys, this is Sienna, Avit’s wife.”
I shook each of their hands.
“Ladies,” Artyom said with a charming smile, “you all look incredible. Shall we head to the gallery?”
Mariya linked her arm through mine, and as a group we made our way into the art gallery, security detail trailing behind. The staff greeted us with champagne the moment we stepped in. The gallery buzzed with soft classical music, low murmurs, and the faint scent of lilies.
While Ninel and Artyom mingled, and the other ladies spoke to their brothers, Mariya and I drifted from piece to piece, closely followed by Wexler. The paintings were stunning, especially Ninel’s. She was truly gifted. There were also a few small scrap-iron sculptures on pedestals by an artist named Mike.
I never in a million years thought I’d enjoy an art gallery. And yet here I was, actually liking it.
After we walked through the gallery, we rejoined the rest of the group. Avit’s family was undeniably influential; I was surrounded by governors, senators, police commissioners, movie stars, and business tycoons.
Every time someone introduced me as his wife, my anxiety jumped ten percent. Pyotr’s words echoed in my mind: I was a reflection of Avit and his family. So I focused on smiling, not tripping in my heels, and gripping my glass tightly so I wouldn’t spill champagne all over my expensive as hell dress.
But two hours in, my nerves were shot. It was a never-ending line of faces wanting to chat, shake hands, congratulate me, and ask questions. I felt myself fraying at the edges, constantly worrying if I was good enough, if people saw me as a proper wife for Avit, if I was making a decent impression.
“Mrs. Safin, are you okay?” Wexler asked quietly beside me.
I inhaled deeply. This was my life, for now. I had to handle it with grace. I turned to him. “I—I…” I squeezed my eyes shut, then opened them and offered a weak smile. “I’ll be okay.”
