Desiring a sexy, dangerous man was one matter. But to admit I could be attracted to or thankful for Maksim Volkov?
Not happening.
He wouldn’t be a real husband no matter how legitimate this wedding would be. My place was within the Cartel.
When I couldn’t delay any longer with my hair and makeup, I sighed and left the guest room. Viktor had told me when to be ready, and even though I had five minutes to spare, I left the room to get this over with.
“You’re early,” Viktor commented from where he’d been waiting at the foyer.
“Maybe she’s eager,” another Volkov brother said with a sly smile as he entered the large, open space too.
Not at all.Instead of correcting him, I slapped on a smile, forcing myself to play the role of the perfect, submissive, andsweet bride. Because that was all that was happening here. I had to force myself through this farce, going along with this stupid arrangement.
“Morning,” I replied instead, polite and hedging what he said.
“I stand corrected. You’renoteager to become the next Volkov bride.” He smirked lightly, slightly marring his scowl.
I furrowed my brow just a bit at this gruff man.How could you tell?
“Next bride?” I glanced at Viktor.
Fuck. Am I going to survive this?
Some men required multiple arrangements of marriage because the previous ones didn’t last.
I hadn’t counted on a fight. Maksim hadn’t given me that impression last night, either.
“This is my cousin, Alexei,” Viktor explained as he gestured for us to leave the house. “And he means thenextbride after our older brother’s wife. They recently married.”
“Adrik married?” I did knowsomeabout the Volkov Bratva. Adrik Volkov’s name stood out only because my father had respected that he was the heir in waiting, Dmitri’s eldest.
I wonder if Dmitri will remember me.I’d seen him—many years ago, but I didn’t look anything like the scrawny tomgirl I was back then.
They shared a look as they led me to the car. “He did. It’s a curious thing that your brother didn’t RSVP to the wedding invitation, such a close ally and all,” Viktor said.
I kept my face blank as I got into the car. But my mind was racing.
When did this happen?
How come he never told me?
For fuck’s sake, he should’ve come to the wedding to pay his respects as any well-intended partner would!
It was too late to wonder about the previous wedding the Volkovs had. Within several minutes that I spent studying the land as we sped by, I was there at the main mansion. This was the place where my father had let me tag along to a meeting with Dmitri before. It was an odd thing to remember, but my mind had always worked like that. Not a photographic memory, but a strangely accurate one. I could recall a place I’d only seen once, even fleetingly, without error.
Viktor and Alexei led me into the massive house, through it, and out toward the back where a small ceremonial area had been established. Rows of chairs were taken by guests—none frommyfamily, but theirs.
Too quickly, as it dawned on me that I was about to be bartered off, I zeroed in on him.
Maksim Volkov had no godly right to look that damn good in a tuxedo.
His dark hair falling over one brow. His lean jaw so rigid as he stared me down, almost challenging me not to go through with this. His eyes, so serious and intense on me. His body, tall and wide and muscular in such a way that it intimidatedandaroused me.
To be tamed by a man likethat…
I caught myself from sighing. I quit this stupid increase of awareness.
Play along.
