Page 117 of Betrothed
“No! You can’t be here!” Nikki shrieked and raced in front of me, holding out her arms.
“Oh, yes, he can. Any man bringing gifts is allowed.” My laugh was mostly real, although the present was staged. Still, the fact he looked edible in his tux was a delicious bonus.
“I wanted you to have something before the wedding,” he said as he approached, a velvet box in his hand.
“I don’t need gifts. I just need you.”
“You’ll be forced to deal with me for the rest of your life, but you only have one wedding day.” His voice was deep, gravelly, and holding the weight of the event. As soon as he opened the box, Nikki was the first to scream.
“Look at those rubies and diamonds. That is gorgeous. Just… gorgeous. I’ll get the champagne ready.” She giggled as she walked away.
“Yes, it is,” I agreed, winking as he pulled the necklace from the box. “It has the tracker in it like we talked about?”
“In the largest ruby,” he answered.
Nikki didn’t say anything, but she was paying close attention. A part of me hated what we were doing.
What we were forced to do.
“You look beautiful,” he whispered as he lowered his head, whispering in my ear as he placed the stunning piece around my neck. “And you’re all mine. Just remember not to take the necklace off. The tracker is there for a reason.”
Every word he whispered sent a wave of heat between my legs.
“Yes, sir. You are so good to me,” I whispered. “But Nikki is right. You shouldn’t be in here.”
“I can be anywhere I want. Remember that I don’t follow anyone’s rules. I suggest you keep that in your pretty head.” He smacked me on the bottom before heading to the door.
I spun around, giggling as I did. Yes, the man could steal any woman’s heart. No longer. He was mine. What a refreshing thought.
Yet the reality of what we were doing had created a permanent knot in my stomach.
When he was gone, my sigh was heavy from desire. “He is so handsome,” I purred.
“Yes, he is. A big, strong man.” Nikki brought the champagne, this time the look in her eyes full of concern for me. “Is there something going on I should know about? You’re worried about me, but I can tell Kirill is nervous.”
“He’s just being cautious. Something happened a couple weeks ago, a man trying to kill his boss and the man’s family at their son’s christening. A ghost that Kirill has been hunting. That’s the reason for the extra precautions. The family is afraid the person will try something equally as disturbing.” I thought about how much danger I’d already placed her in before heading to my small clutch and pulling out a picture. “Take a look at this.”
She did, barely reacting. “Who is he?”
“From what Kirill believes, the Ghost. Have you ever seen him?”
My sister had never been a good liar, but she didn’t twitch, didn’t blink. “Honestly, no. But keep in mind, I was all but shut out of everything.”
“Well, if you ever see him, run.”
“Everything you told me is terrible. Aren’t you terrified?”
“Not in the least. I know the entire Bratva has my back. And that man stole my heart.”
She lifted her glass, waiting until I clinked mine with hers. “You’re very lucky. Don’t take love for granted.”
“I don’t plan on it.”
The minutes ticked by in a blur until I was led outside, my father as stoic as I’d known he’d be. Yet he did his part, pretending as if he cared, even seeming joyful in giving his oldest daughter away.
Weddings had never been something I enjoyed.
Until now.
