Page 17 of Until Death or Defeat

“Artem is not capable of romance, Reina. He didn’t send this as some sort of grand gesture or apology. Don’t you get it? This is his way of trying to assert some sort of control over me.”

She sighs deeply and rolls her eyes as she sits up straighter on the bed, squeezing the pillow over her lap. “Babe come on, not everything is always so demented, I think he might want tojust reassure you.”

I let my mind consider it for a moment and my eyes soften, until I remember who we’re talking about and my mind races again.

“You don’t know him like I do.”

She looks at me with a sad, pleading look. “I thought we got past the obsession with beating him already?”

“Wellllll, that was before I found out I’m fucking marrying him in a week.” I defeatedly plop next to her at the edge of the bed. “If I wear it, I’m showing him that I’ll let him control my life, and he’ll push his luck. And if I don’t wear it, he’ll know it’s because I’m totally in my head about him having control and he’ll taunt me for it.”

Reina puts her arm around my shoulder reassuringly. “Wear the damn dress. If you’re gonna be miserable either way, do it while looking sexy. You can probably beat him if you seduce him.”

“Not happening,” I seethe to her. “He doesn’t even find me attractive. He thinks I’m a joke. Which, once again, I’ll remind you that he and I don’t do this because of some twisted form of crushing. This is serious, Reina,” I plead to her, but she still tries to push her smile back at my denial.

“Okay, whatever you say,” she says in mock defeat, her smile taking over.

I don’t see how anyone can misinterpret what Artem and I have for love, as if we’re both just delaying the inevitable and playing a game.

“I’ll wear it, only because I want to show him that I don’t give a shit.” I decide with a nod, standing up to get my shoes and purse together.

“I wish you could come,” I fake pout my bottom lip, and she laughs.

“I know, I know. But I promised Michael I’d spend thisweekend with him since I’m missing his birthday next week for your wedding festivities.”

“Please don’t remind me, I’m not even ready for my entire night to be about my upcoming wedding. Plus, my dad is going to be there.”

“You just ignore him if you can, okay? Don’t let any of the men in your life make you feel so defeated.”

I nod at her reminder and take a deep breath. She’s right. I’m so in my head about everyone and I’m losing sight of myself.

My thoughts are interrupted by a call coming from the hotel phone, and I make an inquisitive look to Reina as I go to answer it.

“Hello?”

“Hello, Mrs. Sokolov? I was asked to send word that you have a ride waiting for you.”

My eyes close at her words, pinching the bridge of my nose.

“My name isn’t Sokolov, my reservation is under Santoro,” I say to the receptionist, and she makes a small noise as I assume she double-checks the information.

“Hm, I have an Artem Sokolov listed here as the room and card holder, and you’re listed under the same name.”

I don’t mean to be rude, but I slam the phone back on the hook. Fucking how? How does this man constantly find ways to sink claws into my life?

I storm to the elevator, saying goodbye to Reina as she gets herself ready for her date. When I walk out, the receptionist calls out to me. “I’m sorry if there was a confusion, I can adjust your name in the reservation if you like?”

I try not to roll my eyes, because she’s being nice but that isn’t the fucking reason I’m angry. “No, thank you. Everything is fine, it was my mistake,” I reply politely andshe looks relieved.

His stupid Mercedes is parked outside when I walk out, and I get in the passenger seat before slamming the door shut.

“God damn, do you know how much this car costs?”

“Fuck you and your car. How the hell did my hotel reservation suddenly become yours, Artem?”

He smirks as he starts the car, switching the gear as he turns to me. “Everything about you, I will own. You should get used to it,solnishko.”

“What the fuck does that mean, anyway?” I spit, not in the mood for his pet names. I never asked before, but now that I might be stuck with him for life, I’d like to learn what I can. He chuckles, and then thinks for a moment.