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“Castle Corps meetings and events. Matthew hosts a lot of parties and Missy always attends. Sometimes she required me to go with her. Like the party where I met Adrik,” I explained as he led me to a corner away from the dance floor.
“Ah, yes. We’ve been bombarded with invites lately to parties and dinners. I’d wondered why the infamous Volkov brothers were suddenly on everyone’s must have lists,” he murmured.
“Well, you are both powerful, wealthy, and handsome men. Of course, everyone wants you at their parties,” I said, rolling my eyes at him.
“Yes, but not like this. I mean, everyone wants Adrik on their guest list, and I don’t have to tell you, he hates parties. Usually they are content to have me,” he replied and smirked, pointing to himself as if to say duh.
“So you think society’s sudden increased interest in Adrik has to do with CoreTech?” I asked.
“I admit, Sof, I really didn’t. At least, not until right now. You know, you’re really smart,” he said, and I shoved him a little. Jerk. Of course, I was smart.
“W-what do you think she wants from Adrik?” I asked, my heart pounding.
“The usual,” Marat said, shrugging. “Marriage. Most socialites want to marry a wealthy man so they can continue to live their lavish lifestyles.”
I was shocked. Missy never mentioned marriage, but she was always working an angle. When I worked for her, she was extremely meticulous about organizing her social calendar. It was why she wanted an assistant.
“She wants to marry him. She wants to marry the head of Volkov Industries. It would be perfect. Like a fairytale, the Castle princess and the Volkov wolf,” I whispered. The idea that the two of them made much more sense than me and him had me stifling a sob. “Would he do that? Marry her to get CoreTech?” I asked before I could stop myself.
Marat’s perfectly sculpted brows furrowed, and he shrugged. He was wearing a tailor cut suit, similar to Adrik’s. He had all the right looks and was charming and attractive, and so many women stared at him as they passed, it was ridiculous, but I was not moved by any of that. Marat seemed to know it to, and he no longer bothered flirting with me, which was a relief.
“I honestly don’t know, Sofia. Adrik was always the one who would do anything to get what he wanted. And I don’t say that to upset you. He’s told you about our past, yes? Where we came from?” Marat asked, arms crossed as he leaned against the wall.
“A little,” I replied.
“Then you understand my brother is ruthless. He will do anything to protect what is his. One moment, I’m sorry, but Josef is calling me. Stay here,” Marat said, putting his phone up to his ear.
Marat turned his back towards me, and I stepped back a few feet, needing some space. If Missy wanted Adrik, it was only a matter of time. I’d seen her go after men before. She was beautiful and rich, and she understood these circles much more than I did. I was fooling myself before when I thought Adrik and I were a match, dreaming when I imagined we fit so well together.
Two weeks left, but I didn’t think I could go through with it. I couldn’t just sit there and pretend I was fine while she made a play for him. Not her. Not him. I groaned as nausea hit me square in the stomach. Marat caught my attention, he was still on the phone.
Are you okay? He mouthed, and I shook my head, pointing towards the ladies’ room. He nodded, and I walked off determined to have a quiet minute.
“Where are you running off to, lovey?” someone said in my ear as a wiry arm wrapped around my waist. “I’ve been looking for you.”
A hand clamped over my face before I could respond, and before I knew it, I was being dragged out of the room. It was only a few feet from the corridor, and no one seemed to notice I was being taken somewhere against my will.
My mind immediately went to Adrik, and I tried not to hyperventilate as I was pulled into a dark room. The lights were turned on suddenly, and I blinked hard against the stark brightness.
“Thank you, Charles. Please, sit down, Sofia. I am so glad you could make it,” Matthew Castle smirked at me as I was forcibly tossed into a chair by some asshole named Charles.
“W-what are you doing? What do you want?”
“That’s easy. I want to know what you told Adrik about me and my sister,” he said.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
ADRIK
Ihated leaving Sofia to talk to Matthew Castle in this goddamned house of his. The way he flaunted his family’s wealth was distasteful to say the least. I had no love for these parties or these people, but the rumors of Castle Corps increasingly troubled finances, and their impending audit by the Feds, were worrisome. I wanted to get CoreTech under the control of Volkov Industries before the shit could hit the fan.
“Welcome Adrik. Come on, let’s go where there is less noise,” Matthew said, leading me from the party.
I gritted my teeth as Missy Castle, his sister, walked towards me, claiming my arm in a possessive hold. It took all of my strength not to shake off. I told Zaika moya I would not touch any other women tonight, and while I did not initiate nor return this touch, I did not welcome it.
“Adrik, you look so serious. Maybe your little girlfriend isn’t taking such good care of you?” she said, as we entered a flashy office done in golds and maroons.
To me, it looked like something out of a cheesy mafia movie or a bad interpretation of Dracula. But whatever. I did not care how the Castle family decorated their home. I just wanted CoreTech, then I wanted to get back to my Zaika.
