Total pages in book: 129
Estimated words: 120165 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 601(@200wpm)___ 481(@250wpm)___ 401(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 120165 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 601(@200wpm)___ 481(@250wpm)___ 401(@300wpm)
I nodded quickly. It had been my idea that he go to Gennadiy’s house tonight: I’d mentioned it a week before, when I was in a golden haze of wedding planning and traditions...and before I knew I was in love with him. “Yep,” I said, forcing my voice to be light. “Go.”
He frowned, looking concerned, but left. I went over to the window and a moment later, I saw his car drive away through the snow. And then I spotted another car I recognized, parked across the street. Valentin! Radimir hadn’t been willing to leave me unguarded, even for one night, and even through the pain, it made a smile tug at my lips.
I tried to distract myself. I double-checked everything was ready for the wedding: it was. I made a sandwich but couldn’t face eating it. I tried reading but couldn’t concentrate.
I finally decided to turn in, even though I knew I wouldn’t sleep. But there was one thing I had to do first. I knew I wouldn’t be able to persuade Valentin to go home but I wasn’t going to leave him sitting in his car all night when it was below freezing. I went out into the street and told him that he could guard me just as well from the couch in the penthouse, and after he’d gotten over his embarrassment at being spotted, he agreed and came upstairs.
I stretched out on the bed, staring up at the ceiling. How did this happen?! Tomorrow should be the happiest day of my life but it had been twisted into a cruel joke. I was going to have to pretend all day and Radimir would think I was fine because it’s all just fake but really… And God, I’d have to keep it together in front of Jen, Sadie and Luna, why had I invited my friends?!
I wished I hadn’t fallen for him. A fake wedding I could have handled but this, being the only one, meant something to...
I didn’t want to make a noise because the door was ajar, and Valentin was right there in the next room. I closed my eyes and let the tears spill silently down my cheeks.
What’s worse than being forced to marry a monster?
Falling in love with him. And thinking he’ll love you back.
41
RADIMIR
Gennadiy greeted me at the door of his mansion, whisked away my bags and put a glass in my hand. “To marriage,” he said, and clinked glasses with me. I knocked back the vodka and while we drank another, he updated me. The news was good: all of the Armenians had been run out of Chicago and the police investigation into Borislav’s murder had hit a dead end. I should have been happy, but something was bothering me, leaving me sullen and brooding.
Bronwyn. She’d seemed...sad. Weren’t women meant to enjoy weddings?
After the third vodka, I went outside into the snow and called Valentin. “How is she?” I asked immediately.
“Um...I think she’s crying.”
“Crying?!” I felt my chest go tight and fought to keep my voice level. “How can you tell, from down there?”
“I’m in the penthouse,” he said guiltily. “She invited me upstairs.”
Of course she did. “And she’s crying?”
“Not noisy crying,” he said. “Quiet crying.”
I ended the call and stood there scowling, the fury boiling up in my chest until it felt like the snowflakes were sizzling as they hit my skin. I wanted to annihilate whoever had hurt her...but just like the night she’d seen me kill Borislav, the person who’d hurt her was me. And I had no idea what to do about it. “Chyort!” I cursed. Why did I ever get involved with a woman?
Because she’s amazing. That’s why.
I stomped back inside. Gennadiy had gone to bed, so I poured myself another vodka and knocked it back, but it didn’t help. What the fuck am I going to do?
Then I heard the pad of feet behind me, too soft to be human. I turned to see one of Mikhail’s Malamutes standing watching me. And suddenly, I knew exactly what I had to do. I walked over and stroked his furry head and he circled me, fluffy tail wagging.
I grabbed the bottle of vodka and another glass. “Go on,” I told the dog. “Take me to him.”
The dog trotted off along a hallway and led me to a book-lined study. Mikhail was sprawled in a leather armchair, a book open on his lap, softly snoring. The other three dogs were curled up in front of a roaring fire, pressed so close it was difficult to tell where one dog ended and another began. The dog who’d found me pushed his way into the pack, turned around three times and snuggled down.
I gently shook Mikhail’s shoulder. “I need your help.” I poured two glasses of vodka and put one in his hand. Mikhail rubbed his eyes, sipped, and nodded.