Page 44 of The Darkness is Calling

She is my best friend and the only person I know I can trust, even if there are still things I prefer not to tell her. But the weight currently sitting on my heart pushes me to reveal another secret I have kept from her.

“Because I signed a contract.”

She blinks, completely confused.

Then she exclaims loudly. “What?”

I quickly wave my hands at her and explain, trying not to be heard by Dima.

“It isn’t as bad as it sounds.”

“Really?” She is still shocked, but also ironic.

“Listen to me until the end, please,” I am tired, and she presses her lips together, letting me speak. “When we started the preparations, considering how expensive everything was and the fact that his family has a reputation that comes with plenty of press coverage, I signed a contract agreeing to respect the established wedding date.”

“But that’s absurd.”

I widen my eyes, warning her with my look that Dimitri is in the area, then shrug with bitterness.

“At that time, I didn’t imagine something like this would happen.”

“And if you don’t honor this contract?”

“I would have to pay penalties for damaging their public image, penalties that would leave me without the entire inheritance my father built after risking his life countless times. Or at least half of everything he created for me.”

“Are you fucking kidding me?”

I shake my head, smacking my lips.

“So I have to see it through, even if right now I have no desire for white flowers and lace dresses.”

She runs her fingers through her hair, tugging at the roots.

“Fine. I understand the pressure from his posh parents, but can’t even he understand the situation?”

“He told me there is nothing he can do, no matter how much he would like to help me. We both signed that agreement, and the same thing could have happened if he were in my situation.”

“So it’s a shit situation,” she complains angrily.

“I know. So I’ll see it through,” I say, just as displeased, though at least I have had time to make peace with my circumstances.

We remain silent for several long minutes, both of us lost in thought, until she opens another subject.

“Have you spoken to him these past few days?”

I shake my head.

“And he still doesn’t know where you’re living?”

I shake my head again. “He only knows what I told him. That is because of what happened to my father, it’s better if he doesn’t know where I am staying for now, because I don’t want to expose him to any danger. Especially after the incident with the strange car that followed us after dinner last week, which could have brought even more rumors about us into the press. About him.”

“It’s not like he didn’t know who your father was when he asked you to marry him...”

“He knows, but my father was always a discreet figure in Bratva, despite his powerful position. His clean image was always supported by his reputation as a very serious businessman who was never involved in scandals.”

“He knew how to play his cards.”

I smile, remembering my father’s skill, especially because I miss him terribly in moments like this.