AllFreeNovel
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Adrian steps to the center of the foyer, where we’ve all congregated. “This is going to be a fucking mess. Keep your eyes open and watch each other’s backs. If something goes wrong, the women get Val out through the pre-planned route as fast as possible.”
Since they didn’t share this route with me, I assume I’m not part of the escort committee.
We all head down the elevator to another floor, where Adrian has the party set up. Society members are already milling around, drinking, talking, and laughing. It’s a grating soundtrack to the worry in my belly.
Valentina grabs my arm, and Adrian follows at our backs while she tugs me to the bar. “Get this woman a whiskey.”
Adrian gives her a look I can’t decipher, and she shakes her head. “I’m going to smell it, that’s all, I promise.”
The bartender hands me a whiskey on the rocks, and I let her sniff it before I take a long draw. It soothes the ache inside me a tiny bit. But I don’t trust the situation enough to lean into it for comfort.
I scan the floor for Ivan, but he’s already disappeared in the rapidly growing crowd. Everyone is dressed incredibly, jewels winking at their throats and ears under the romantic lighting.
“Why do you look so pale?” Val asks, her eyes scanning the people around us.
I take another drink. “I’m not sure. I just have a bad feeling. If my father is coming, that’s reason enough to feel shitty about being here tonight. Ivan made it clear staying home wasn’t an option.”
Val’s eyes rake over me, and she focuses on the crowd. “Yes, they like to get their own way, don’t they?”
Adrian leans down and nips her neck. “I heard that, angel. Keep it up.”
With Adrian so close, I do feel a bit better. People seem to give him a wide circle of space, not wanting to risk offending or even jostling him. Andrea and Alexei cut through the room like beautiful pillars. People instantly seem drawn to them both. I can’t blame the partygoers. They are both stunning.
When I spot Ivan, I squeeze Val’s hand, then head over to his side. “See anything interesting yet?”
His jaw is tight, and his eyes are splinters of darkness. He’s one step away from tossing people around the room. I curl my hand around his forearm and then slide my hand down to intertwine our fingers. “Everyone seems normal and like they are having a good time.”
Ivan tilts his head toward a man across the room. “That’s the fucker who insisted we use our home for this fucking shit show. I am debating if I want to see what his brains look like with the decor.”
I turn to cut in front of him, forcing him to look at me. “Well, it won’t match this outfit, that’s for sure. Or yours, for that matter. We’ll scare everyone out the door if you go and start killing people before they even bring out the hors d’oeuvres.”
The corner of his mouth ticks as he stares into my eyes. “Maybe you’re right. If he steps out of line, I’ll end him. For now, he can enjoy his champagne.”
I tug him close. “Do you want to dance?”
“I don’t care to dance right now.”
When he keeps his eyes on me, I give him a little pout, letting my red lips pucker, drawing his attention. “Please. Let’s relax a little bit. Dance with me.”
He scans the crowd, making sure the others are near Adrian and Val, then pulls me to the dance floor.
Thankfully, the song is slow, and I get to feel his hands slide around my waist to pull me tight to his body. “Have I told you how amazing you look tonight?” he whispers.
“You look beautiful too.” I smile.
We spend time staring at each other. The room seems to shrink around us, putting us in our own little bubble. I can’t help but wonder, and the words fall out of my mouth before I can reconsider. “Why did you marry me?”
My heart is pounding, and I’m so terrified to hear the answer that all I can hear is the whoosh whoosh whoosh of my own heartbeat in my ears.
It’s a question I’ve been dying to know the answer to, and I’ve been too scared to come out and ask him. Why the fuck I think this is the best time, I don’t know.
“Why did you marry me?” he counters.
I scoff. “Maybe because you didn’t give me a fucking choice.”
His eyes go from laughing to solemn in a second. “You didn’t give me a choice either.”
His words sink in, and I can’t bring myself to hope he means what I want him to mean.
I open my mouth to ask him to elaborate when I spot a familiar face across the room.
My tense posture must have put Ivan on edge because he stops in the middle of the floor to stare at the way he caught me looking.
