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CHARLOTTE
Imust be dreaming. I’m engaged to be married to a criminal. A hot, dangerous criminal who makes me shiver with desire whenever I see him. It’s not lust sprinting away with my senses, either. I genuinely enjoy his company. He makes me laugh and I’m comfortable around him. I never imagined this would be an option, but now I think of it, it’s the perfect one. He will be my husband, and everyone knows a wife belongs by his side. My biological father won’t be able to do anything about it and I can breathe easier knowing I have a better future than before.
It turns my thoughts to Winter. The woman responsible for everything, and I wonder where this leaves her. If there is no exchange, how will she be set free? I’m worried about that because it’s so important to Ivan. He must have a plan, surely. At least I hope he does because even I can tell this isn’t over yet and things may not work out how we want them to.
I change into the sexiest nightie I can find, and love Ivan’s friend’s taste in clothes. Everything feels so good against my skin and I have more than enough amazing outfits to choose from. I wonder if he’s married himself and this is his wife’s doing. I hope so, anyway, because right at this moment, I want everyone in the world to be as happy as I am now.
I crawl under the silken sheets and stretch with satisfaction, loving how comfortable this bed is and brimming with anticipation for what happens next. Will it be tonight? Will I finally lose something I am keen to leave in the past? I want to discover what’s making my body so interested. To finally understand the secret everyone is intrigued about. To discover what happens when a man loves a woman and I’m in no doubt that I want him. It’s up to me to keep him interested because now I’ve found him, I’m scared of losing him as quickly.
The door opens and my pulse races as I glance up and smile shyly. As always, my heart flutters as soon as I see him, and the heat builds inside as I wait for what happens next.
To my surprise, he sits on the edge of the bed and smiles, and I sense his relief as he exhales. “The priest will be here at 9 am.”
“He will?” I stare at him in surprise, and he nods, looking extremely pleased with himself.
“Yes, princess, tomorrow we become husband and wife and I can’t wait to show you just how much I want you.”
I don’t miss his choice of words and am a little disappointed about that. I suppose it’s too much to hope for him to love me. Especially after only a few days, but I already believe I love him. If I didn’t, why do I feel so empty inside at the idea of leaving him and why does every word from his lips make me smile, even when he’s angry? I search for him at all times and my breath hitches when he is close. I want to care for him and make him happy, so if that isn’t love, I don’t know what is.
Perhaps this is another part of his job, and he is lying to me. I must remember he’s a hard criminal who doesn’t play by the rules. Does that include love? Is this part of his plan? My heart sinks when he says with a sigh, “I’ll sleep in Malik’s room tonight. We do this properly.”
“But you said you needed to keep me with you because I’m your prisoner. Has that changed?”
I try to make light of it, but I’m panicking right now at the prospect of being apart from him for a second and he smiles softly and lifts my hand, before kissing it sweetly in a lovely act of gallantry.
“I want to do what’s right for you, Charlotte. I want our wedding night to be the most special night of our lives. I want to start as I mean to go on and give you the world, and it may not be your dream wedding, but it will be mine.”
“Yours. You mean you dreamed of getting married? I find that hard to believe.”
I giggle as he groans. “I hadn’t met you yet. Of course, I didn’t want to get married, but shit happens and then you’re fucked.”
He winks and I stifle a grin as he stands and throws another tortured gaze my way. “I’ll be next door. Try and get some sleep because I promise you one thing, you won’t be getting any tomorrow.”
He smirks as he turns and walks away, leaving me both elated and frustrated. So near and yet so far and tomorrow can’t come soon enough for me.
* * *
Somehow,I do manage to get some sleep and as the dawn rises, I wake with hope for the first time in many years. Today I marry the man of my nightmares. Who guessed there would be a fine line between the two?
He is everything I shouldn’t want but crave, like a drug. My rough Bratva bastard and yet beneath the rage and tattoos beats a golden heart that I am lucky enough to call mine.
A gentle knock at the door makes me jump and I call out, “It’s ok, you can come in.”
Expecting Ivan, I’m surprised when a woman enters who smiles and says warmly, “Good morning my dear. I am here to assist you.”
“You are?” I’m slightly nervous because what if this is a trap? She could be anyone and yet I find that hard to comprehend because she leaves, and then immediately returns, pushing a trolley laden with breakfast things.
“First, you must eat while I fill you a bath. Mr. Volkov asked me to inform you that it’s bad luck to see the bride before the wedding and he is taking this seriously.”
It makes me giggle picturing Ivan playing by rules other than his own, and the woman smiles and offers me her hand.
“Allow me to introduce myself. I’m Greta Keller, the housekeeper here. My husband works with me, and we take care of this home for the family, making sure it’s always ready for last minute guests.”
“You do a good job; it’s amazing.”
“It is. We are very lucky.”
“Do you live here, then?” I’m interested to meet another person at last and it’s good to have a conversation without Ivan growling behind me.
