"Good," Maksim says, leaning back. "I'd hate to think my future wife was having second thoughts."
"No second thoughts," I say, meeting his gaze steadily. "Just focused on the future."
A future I pray will never arrive, though I keep this thought locked away.
The wedding planner unfurls a massive timeline across the table.
Her immaculate manicure taps against various dates as she outlines what feels like my execution schedule.
"We'll need to finalize the guest list by Friday," she chirps. "Then the dress fitting on Monday. Tuesday we'll sample the cake options, Wednesday the menu tasting…"
Her voice fades to white noise as my gaze drifts to the window.
A bird flies in the distance, and I wish I were the bird and could spread my wings away from this place.
"Miss Dante?" The planner's voice sharpens. "The color scheme?"
I blink and turn my attention to the task at hand. Alessandro’s eyes are narrow, chastising my aloofness.
"Whatever Maksim prefers," I reply automatically.
"It's your wedding day. Surely, you have some preference?"
My preference is to run away with the man standing behind me.
"Red and gold are traditional Bratva colors," Maksim interjects. "Very festive."
The color of blood and chains. How fitting.
I nod, feeling Cristian shift behind me. Without looking, I know exactly how he stands. Feet shoulder-width apart, hands clasped before him, spine straight. The perfect soldier.
"For the bridal party…" the planner continues.
I steal a glance over my shoulder. Cristian's eyes meet mine for just a heartbeat. His jaw clenches slightly, the only indication that he's affected by my attention.
Would anyone else notice how his gaze lingers too long? The wedding planner certainly doesn't.
She's too busy discussing floral arrangements and champagne towers.
I turn back to the table, forcing myself to nod at appropriate moments while my thoughts remain on the man behind me. My protector, my impossible dream.
“I don’t need to be here for all this,” Alessandro says, standing up. “As long as security is set, that’s all I need.”
Traitor, I feel like saying to him.
He leaves the room, whispering something to Cristian, whose eyes are on me.
His jaw tightens as if he doesn’t like what Alessandro is saying.
I give my head a shake and do my best to listen to the wedding planner.
"That will be all for today," Maksim says suddenly, cutting off the wedding planner mid-sentence about floral arrangements.
She blinks. "But we still need to discuss the?—"
"I said that will be all." His tone leaves no room for argument.
The planner gathers her materials, muttering something about rescheduling as she scurries from the room.
