“Who is it?” I call out quickly, thankful for the interruption.
“It’s Viktor, Miss Annika. Your guests are seated. The priest and your groom are waiting for you. We can start whenever you are ready.”
“We can wait a few more minutes,” Yulian offers, taking another worried look over me.
I shake my head, hoping that as soon as the ceremony is over and I have a shot or two of vodka in my system, my nerves- and stomach- will finally relax.
“No, I’m ready now, Papa. Would you help me with my veil?”
Yulian steps forward, caresses my cheeks, and lays a soft kiss on either side of my face before he reaches for the delicate material of the veil and draws it down in front of my face. When he finishes, my father tucks my hand into the crook of his arm, and Valya hands me my bouquet of white roses and calla lilies.
My nerves spark and tighten as we enter the prayer room of the church; another wave of nausea hitting me hard. The instrumental bridal march suddenly sounds too loud. The hundreds of faces staring at me blur and go sideways.
These are important people. All members of the most powerful New York Russian families, and they are all here to ensure that I fulfill my duty. The realization has fear spiking through my anxiety, and my heart begins to slam rapidly in my chest.
I need to focus on something, anything else so I can make it up to my groom. That’s it. The groom. I’ve been dying to know who he is anyway, if I would just-
I let out a strangled sound as I direct my eyes forward, seeing a familiar face at the end of the red carpeted walkway. The cab driver; the man who made my darkest fantasies come true two months ago, is standing there. Not as the groom, but as the best man.
Oh God, oh God, oh God,I think over and over, my fear and anxiety growing worse.
It’s him! I can’t believe it, it'shim!He stands right behind a slightly younger version of himself; a man with a scowl on his face and the aura of someone who wants to be anywhere else.
My mystery man looks as handsome as ever; is even looking fondly in my direction- but my groom to be? He looks downright frightening. Even from where I am, I can feel the annoyance radiating from him. It beats down on me like a desert sun, making drops of sweat form on my forehead and my stomach cramp even tighter.
I move to take another step, but the growing nausea makes me stumble; sending a murmur of surprise through the guests.
“Annika,” my father whispers, holding me tighter. “Are you alright?”
Drawing in a shaky breath, I try to reply, but my voice seems trapped inside. I nod, hoping that will do, but even that small motion sends my head spinning again. The murmurs in the crowd grow louder as I see my mystery man take a tentative step toward us; as if he knows something isn’t right.
My stomach lurches. My breath feels too hard to catch behind my veil. The corseted waist of my gown is tight- far too tight. I can’t breathe!
“Papa,” I manage to gasp as I feel my legs grow numb and begin to buckle. Then darkness swallows me whole as I feel myself fall- and the last thing I see is my mystery man running down the aisle toward me.
Chapter Eight
Kirill
“Edik, get an ambulance here, now!” I command, catching the falling bride before her head hits the floor.
“Yes,Pakhan,”Edik answers, already pulling out his cellphone.
“Oh, great,” I hear Pyotr grumble.
I don’t have time to look back and glare at my little brother. I’ll deal with him later.
“Her veil,” I command to Yulian, “Lift her veil! Get her some air!”
Yulian hurriedly draws the veil back from the young woman’s face, and I feel like a lightning bolt strikes me as he begins fanning her. Even now, with her collapsed and unconscious in my arms, my body sings with need. I know this woman.Intimately.
I’ve never considered myself a pining man, but I have dreamed of the heady pleasure I found with this woman since that fated night she got into the cab two months ago. Now she is right before me- only minutes away from marrying my brother.
“Annika, doch,wake up,” Yulian pleads, patting her cheeks.
The fear in Yulian’s voice snaps me out of my shock, and I quickly move into action.
“Help me turn her over,” I command. “Watch her head.”
