“Ghost— I mean, Aleksi’s gonna be there?” There was something unsettlingly dark in my brother’s eyes that sent a chill down my spine. I knew, of course, that Alek wouldn’t be there, because he was happily settled at Alstone College, and there was no way he’d come back here for a weekend to “celebrate” something I would never have chosen for myself.
“Wait your turn to speak.” My mother’s eyes narrowed. “As I was saying, before I was so rudely interrupted, the invitation was extended to Mayor Sullivan’s son, who will not be in attendance.”
“Too much of a coward to show his face,” Ryker muttered under his breath, but I heard him. I aimed a swift kick to his shin, and his gaze shot to mine, his eyes widening for a second, before he smirked. “What a shame he can’t be there,” he said, all false, honeyed tones.
“Indeed.” My mother had lost interest already, moving swiftly on to another topic. I doubted she’d even heard him. “The photographer would like to capture some candid shotsin addition to the posed ones tonight, so I need you to be on your best behaviour for the duration.”
“I know.”
“The limo will collect you from home at seven thirty and take you to the Volkov estate. Both of you.”
Ryker and I exchanged glances.A fucking limo?he mouthed, and I shrugged helplessly.
“The Volkovs are paying for this, and you will do as they wish,” my mother said sharply.
Of course.
My brother’s phone screen lit up, and he huffed out a breath, rising to his feet. The chair legs screeched against the flagstones as he pushed it back. “Sorry. I need to take this,” he gritted out, shooting me an apologetic look as he raised his phone to his ear.
When we were alone, my mother glanced around us before leaning in. She dabbed at her mouth with her napkin. “Darling, I have a special birthday gift for you. Here.” Sliding a cardboard packet across the table, she gave me one of her false, professional smiles.
I stared at it with wide eyes, taking in the brand name on the side. “The pill?”
My mother nodded. “After your last health check, I took the pre-emptive step of organising a prescription. You will be engaged soon, and you will be expected to perform…certain duties. Anton may wait until marriage, or he may expect them sooner, as is his right.”
As is his right?I gaped at her. “You don’t actually think I’d agree to that, do you?”
Her mouth thinned. “Don’t be so ungrateful. All I’m trying to do is prevent any complications before you’re ready for them. Despite what you may think, I want you to complete your education at Cranham University.” Shepaused, her gaze sweeping downwards. “I didn’t have a chance to complete mine. Children are a…complication in our world. They need to be carefully planned.”
“Oh.” My fingers closed around the packet.
I couldn’t bring myself to thank her.
16
NOVA
The Volkov Syndicate estate was more like a compound, with a huge, sprawling mansion in the centre surrounded by several houses and other buildings that could accommodate a large number of their associates. I’d never been, but I’d heard enough about it over the years to build up a picture.
“Wow. This looks…” I trailed off, staring out of the limousine window as we stopped in front of a set of towering metal gates that slid open on our arrival. Two men suddenly appeared from nowhere, waving us forwards. As we drew level with the guard hut, one of the men held up his hand, instructing the driver to lower the window while they scanned the car with X-ray wands. Ryker rolled the window down, letting in the soft sounds of the two of them conversing in what was probably Russian. My gaze slid to the guard hut, where I could see a series of monitors flicking between different areas of the compound and a TV balanced on top of a filing cabinet, showing highlights of a football game. As the guards waved us through, I noticed the security camera high on the wall, tracking our vehicle’s movements.
We came to a stop in front of the largest building, an imposing Grade II listed gothic-style mansion, all towering spires and mullioned windows.
“Game face,” Ryker murmured as a staff member opened the doors, ushering us inside.
The ballroom we entered was at least double the size of Thorpe Manor’s, opulent in an understated, subtle way. It struck me all over again just how wealthy the Volkovs were, and I swallowed hard. This deal was so important to my family, and I couldn’t risk ruining it. For my brother’s sake, if no one else’s—he was the one due to inherit the family business when our father decided to hand the reins over.
“This is…” I trailed off, unable to find the words. “How many times have you been here before?” I said under my breath.
My brother’s gaze flicked to mine for a second. “Too many times. Business.”
Of course.The business I wasn’t allowed to be directly involved in. Not that I envied Ryker having to get his hands dirty, but I loathed the way I was expected to essentially act like a piece of art—beautiful and admired, but only ever from a distance.
Ryker released my arm, straightening up as Anton strode over, clad in a bespoke tailored black suit, his blond hair swept back from his face. An expensive, woodsy scent hit my nose as he reached us.
“Ryker. Happy birthday.” His tone was completely flat. Ryker didn’t respond with words, just a brief nod of acknowledgement as Anton handed him an envelope.
His brows rose when he opened it and scanned the contents. “A vodka line?”
