AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Chapter Eleven
VERA
If I keep this smile on my face any longer I am sure it is going to get stuck that way. And it hurts. I know I don’t want to frown or anything on my wedding day, but I have to let this damn thing go or I am not going to make it through the night. My mind is cluttered enough. "I am sorry, Rhys, but I have to quit smiling like fucking Miss America. This hurts," I whisper into his ear. I am sure from the outside it looks as if we are having an intimate conversation, but of course, it’s nothing of the sport. But I know a lot of what’s ahead of us is all about appearances...business and all.
He chuckles at me and leads me out to the dance floor for what feels like the millionth time. He has been kind enough to allow me to avoid talking with too many people so far, though, so even though my feet beg for mercy, I am grateful. I do not know how well composed I can be with my best friend still missing and no word at all on where or how she is. But I have to be selfish about this day. I have to play my part and not worry about Olena for right now, as hard as that is.
"You look beautiful," Rhys tells me, and I can see a twinkle in his eyes that tells me that he is saying it simply to get a rise out of me. I can’t believe I married a Romanian man who finds it sexy that I have a bad temper.
"Teasing me on my wedding day would not be good for your health," I shoot back, and he simply laughs heartily. We are so lost in our war of wits that I don’t notice until they are standing right next to us that Ion and Mariana have approached.
"May we cut in?" Ion asks with authority, and I can’t help but glare at the pretty blonde on his arm. She is supposed to be a queen, the woman from the original Romanian bloodline, but all I have seen so far tonight is a pretty thing, a trophy wife for Ion, the real leader. He exudes power and money, overpowering her. It’s a damn shame.
Plus, I really don’t want my husband, no matter how much I hate him, dancing with someone like her. "I am not sure it is appropriate for my new husband to be seen in the arms of some bimbo," I say, sizing her up with my eyes. I can feel Rhys looking at me like I have just committed a great crime, but I know what I am doing. As Rhys said, we are pretty much on our own over here. I rule. I call the shots. I need them to know that.
"Wow, Rhys, I like this girl. I am surprised she agreed to marry you," Mariana says with a smile.
I scoff. "I don’t need to be liked. I need to be respected, and I will call this marriage off if everyone in this room, Rhys included, can’t get that through their thick skulls," I threaten. "You need me."
Rhys is turning red and looks like he is about to lose it, but I see an amused smirk on Ion’s face, and Mariana puts her hand up to stop any conflict. "She's right. You did good, Rhys. We need a fire like hers in this part of the world if we are to get it back and keep it. The gangs here and the politicians are more ruthless than anywhere else."
***
I find myself on a private plane, laid out across three seats and sipping at some chardonnay. I don’t know how I feel about taking a plane out of the country for our honeymoon. I don’t like leaving the Ukraine ins someone else's hands...even if Ion and Mariana themselves have agreed to stay a couple of days to make sure nothing happens. But maybe this isn’t so much about my kingdom as it is my best friend. I have never been so far from her before, and I can’t reach her if I am far.
"So, where are we going?" I ask Rhys as he loosens his tie. I have opted to stay in my dress for now. I want to enter a new country in gold, stepping out of this private jet like I own it myself.
"Can’t I surprise you, Vera?" Rhys asks with a roll of his eyes. I take off my shoe and chuck it at him as my answer, and he just shakes his head. "There will be plenty of lights as we come in for you to see it. Trust me. It’s better this way," he says, sounding exasperated like he is talking with a child.
"That is not how you should speak to your wife," I tell him, though I am sure he knows I am teasing. Two can play at this game.
"I could turn the plane around if you would like and spend the honeymoon at the mansion," he offers. I cross my arms over my chest, sitting up and tapping my foot impatiently. Yes, I am being childish, but honestly, I have never left the Ukraine. I am anxious to see a new place, wherever we are going, and it better be damn good.
I find myself watching out the windows, waiting for something other than darkness to show up, and finally I feel the descent and watch as a city so familiar because it is iconic, comes into view. "Rome, we are in Rome," I say in awe, though I truly wish I could hide how elated I am. I don’t want to give the ass the satisfaction of a job well done.
The landing and the car to our hotel is a complete blur. And then I see the room, and I have to pick my jaw up off the floor. It is gorgeous; a suite fit for a queen. This is what I have always wanted.
