She doesn't respond. Just lets me move her around the floor while cameras flash and people watch.
I can feel her giving up. Accepting. Surrendering to the inevitable.
It should feel like victory.
It does feel like victory.
So why does something in my chest tighten when I see the resignation in her eyes?
The song ends, and I escort her back to our table. She sinks into her chair with obvious relief.
"I'm going to get you some water," I say. "Stay here."
She nods, too exhausted to argue.
I make my way to the bar, signaling the bartender.
That's when Alexei Morozov appears beside me.
He's dressed in an expensive suit that still manages to look cheap on him. Gold watch. Too much cologne. That same arrogant smirk he always wears.
"Adrian." He signals the bartender for vodka. "Congratulations on the wedding. She's beautiful."
"Thank you." I keep my tone neutral. Alexei being here is expected—all the major families were invited. But approaching me directly is bold, especially considering our history.
"Funny how things work out." He accepts his drink, doesn't look at me. "Dimitri was supposed to retrieve her a few days ago. Then he disappears. Turns up dead in a dumpster."
I don't react. "You should keep better track of your people. Not good to have one of your men murdered under your nose."
"Dimitri was my cousin."
"People vanish in this city all the time."
"Not Morozov family." He takes a sip of vodka. "But I suppose these things happen. Especially when someone has something you want. At least, that's what I told your mother when she stopped by to offer her condolences."
This back and forth bores me. I want to get back to Sera. Finish this charade, and then, discover what she's wearing under that delectable dress.
"If you have an accusation to make, make it."
"No accusations." His smile is sharp. "Just observations. Dimitri was sent to collect Gabriel Romano's sister. Payment for his debts. And now that same sister is married to you. Wearing your ring. Carrying your baby." He pauses. "Quite the coincidence."
"Gabriel's debt means nothing to us," I say dismissively. "Fifty thousand dollars? I spend more than that on suits."
"The debt was never about money, Adrian." Alexei's voice drops. "It was about leverage."
"Leverage for what?"
"That's the question, isn't it?" He finishes his vodka, sets down the glass. "Gabriel Romano owed us money, yes. But he also owed us information. About certain shipments. Certain routes. Certain weaknesses in the Nero operation."
My jaw tightens. "Gabriel is a low-level gambler who got in over his head. Hardly an informant."
"Is he?" Alexei straightens his cuffs. "Or is your new wife's brother the reason we've been so successful pushing into your territory lately? Funny how our wins started right around the time Gabriel started playing at our tables."
He's fishing. Testing. Seeing what I know.
I'm confident Sera is innocent of any plots, but I'm less certain about her brother. Alexei is trying to exploit that doubt.
"This is my wedding," I say coldly. "If you have business to discuss, make an appointment."
