“I thought it was women only,” Nikolai said, looking for an excuse to get out of it.
“It is, but we can wait in the bar while they finish up. Maybe go for a meal afterwards if you like. Your mother likes it when I surprise her by turning up to these things,” he sighed, but he couldn’t fool me. Doing things for my mother brought him joy.
“We’ll be there,” I agreed for the both of us despite Nik’s heavy sigh at my back, “I just need to wash up first.”
My father's gaze went over me. “Yes, that’s a nice suit, I hope that it’s not ruined.”
I cast my gaze downwards, noting the blood splatter on the cuffs. Despite having taken it off before almost beating Stefan to death, the first couple of blows had been while I was wearing it.
I nodded my ascent and my father instructed Karik to drive and Nikolai and I watched him leave. We turned to head back to our own cars, watching as some of my father's men dragged an unconscious Stefan out of the warehouse and threw him into the boot of a car before closing the lid. He was a dead man now, despite him telling us what we needed to know. Despite him thinking he was doing the best for my father. I didn’t feel any pity for him. He should have had more loyalty and known.
“You’re really going to this thing tonight?” Nikolai asked with a scowl. “Because I was hoping we could hit a club.”
I shook my head. “He wants us both there, even if it was only a suggestion, Nikolai.”
He sighed and dragged a hand down his face. “Katya will be there won’t she?”
“Yes,” I replied.
Nikolai smiled. “At least I can have some fun tormenting her.”
I shook my head and laughed as I reached my car. “I’ll meet you there. I need to go home and change first.”
I got in my car and shot off a quick text to Marisha before starting the engine, excited by the prospect of the evening.
A - I’m on my way back. I’m whisking you away for the evening. A x
I watched the read message appear seconds later, but no dots returned to let me know that she was replying. Never mind. She was obviously busy talking to some of the other wives. That was good. Better to get in all the meet and greets now that way no one would notice her disappearance later.
Things were turning out better than I’d expected, and I was going to get even more time with her now. I smiled, starting the engine and pulling away. If luck was on my side, Ivan would be dealing with the Italians until the small hours of the morning, and all the time I’d be fucking his wife properly. Like that bastard couldn’t.
Chapter Eighteen
Marisha
“Ivan, you’re hurting me,” I whimpered as he continued to force me towards the exit to the gardens. Decatur had taken the lead, opening the doors and making sure nothing stood in Ivan’s path.
I risked a glance behind us, and my frantic gaze found Katya Vasiliev. She was keeping her distance, following us slowly, one of her hands clutching her phone as if she wanted to call for help. Her eyes held concern, her teeth gnawing on her lower lip.
But why would she help? I was the tainted daughter of dead parents who’d crossed the Bratva. Ivan was a respected businessman and member of their inner circle. He may have damaged his reputation by marrying me, but he was still a somebody in this world. It made no sense for mafia royalty to be that concerned for me.
When we were outside, the evening air feeling heavier and more oppressive than it should, Decatur left us to take the other car home as we headed towards Ivan’s business sedan. I wanted to look behind us again. I wanted to see if the Vasiliev princess was continuing to witness my shame. My cheeks flamed hot with the thought.
I couldn’t dwell on it for long. Ivan yanked me around, pushing me towards his car.
“I can’t believe you had the nerve to come here early. Who were you meeting, Marisha? Where did you go after Decatur walked you into the gardens?” his eyes blazed. “I know that you’re up to something. I will find out what and when I do… it will not be pretty, Marisha.”
I hit the passenger door as he threw me forwards, the force knocking the breath from my lungs.
“I wasn’t with anyone. I swear, Ivan. I swear!” I crossed my arms protectively in front of me, but my body language and words only seemed to enrage Ivan further.
“You said you were meeting the other wives. Isn’t that true?” He rushed forward, his hands coming up to push into my hair and grip the strands tightly. He jerked my head back, bringing his face so close that our noses nearly touched. “That’s what you told Decatur, Marisha. You were with the other wives, then they left to get ready for the fundraiser. Or were you alone, Marisha? Which is it?”
“I was with the wives, but then I was alone.” My words sounded strangled, a wounded animal as Ivan released my hair. I stuttered on the lies, and the narrowing of his gaze told me that he did not believe me. Not one bit.
“With the wives and then alone, and then what? Fucking another man like the whore you are?” I shook my head, my eyes going wide as he cocked his hand back too fast for me to react and move.
His palm connected with my left cheek and I cried out, a scream of agony tearing free from my throat as red-hot pain lanced across my face.
