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Such is the twisted mind of an evil mafia man.

Everyone here from Lev’s side is no different. They’re eating this up.

The cold-hearted devil looks at me again as I get closer, and all I want to do is run away. But I keep going, even though it feels like I’m going the wrong way.

Lev steps forward when I’m a few steps away, closing the distance to take my hand.

Those Nordic eyes stay fixed on me, a reminder that no one can save me from him. And he’s going to enjoy every second of owning me.

Chapter

Nine

Allegra

The priest begins the ceremony, and I completely zone out.

All I’m aware of is my rapid heartbeat and Lev’s piercing gaze. I should look away. Maybe focus on the priest or the floral arrangement behind him.

I just feel that if I look anywhere besides my soon-to-be husband’s face, I’ll appear as weak as he believes me to be.

Sure, I’m a mess inside. An absolute whirlwind of a mess with my thoughts scattering around in my mind like dead leaves in an autumn breeze. But the least I can do is hold my head up for what it’s worth and get this ceremony over and done with.

Lev Karsavin has already stripped me of my agency by blackmailing me into this sham marriage. That doesn’t mean I have to give him the pleasure of looking like some weakling in front of everyone.

When the ceremony is over, I’ll move on to the worry of whatever being his wife is supposed to mean.

The priest finishes his speech moments later, and it’s time to take our vows. Lev looks away for a moment, then begins repeating after the priest. I barely hear him.

Blood rushes to my ears, the sound flooding my mind like the waves of the ocean.

The sound reminds me of the last summer Gabrielle and I spent in Italy. We loved swimming and pretending to be mermaids. I was better at it than her.

There wasn’t a lot that I was good at, especially in comparison to her. But there were always two things I could do better than anyone: swim and draw.

I loved swimming with my sister, and I loved drawing her swimming by herself in the sea. I’d go back to the beach after I was done, while she’d stay and swim around just to give me a picture to work with.

She was great like that.

Funny how everyone marveled at how amazing and perfect she was, and while I felt like I was always living in her shadow, I never once got jealous.

Because the person who most thought she was amazing and perfect was me.

“Gabrielle.” Lev’s voice pulls me back from my reverie.

I stare at him for a beat too long, mindlessly. “Yes.”

“Your vows,” he demands, voice low enough that only the priest and I can hear.

Oh, crap. I zoned out at the wrong time. “Sorry. I’m ready.”

The priest smiles back fondly, seeming to interpret my absentmindedness as nerves. If that’s true, he must be used to this sort of thing. I’ll bet he is. He looks like he thinks it’s normal to be summoned to officiate a wedding this big overnight.

Then again, maybe he’s just playing the game like the rest of us and doing what he’s told.

With a radiant smile, he proceeds to give me my vows. I look back at Lev and repeat them. It feels so strange, saying words and making promises I don’t feel.

Lev stares at me, eyes riveted to mine, as if he’s making sure I don’t slip up again.