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“Lose her and don’t bother showing your face to me again.”
He glares at all of them in turn, and then he lifts his hand, dismissing them. Instantly, they rush in zigzags around the compound, checking guns, starting vehicles, and muttering into the earpieces.
Andrei narrows his gaze on me like a circling hawk scoping out a mouse before pecking my cheek. “Have fun,moya nevesta.”
I feel sick.
Two men march in front of me and two behind me as I exit the mansion. A stoic guard by the name of Oleg wraps his fingers around my upper arm and holds tight. I’m not getting away from this one. I don’t crack a smile as he marches me to the Rover. It’s odd sitting in the back of the Rover without Andrei pinning me to the seat. But I suppose I’ll manage.
“You will have fun today,” Oleg says, staring down on me from his seat. “And you won’t run.”
I have no idea what expression I have on my face as my stomach twists into a tangle.
Oleg leans over and pats my forearm in what might be a sign of pity. “Sonya is not like her brother,” he says. “Andrei is a serious man. He is a leader. He hides his joy. But Sonya is different; she shares her joy like sunshine.” He sits back and stretches out his legs. “You will have fun with Sonya.”
“You keep saying that like a threat,” I mumble, compressing my body in my seat.
His expression turns serious again. “Do not run, Paige Geraldovna. And do not throw Sonya’s kindness back in her face.”
I glare at him, expressing all the hostility I normally dump on Andrei. “You people kidnapped me. Remember? And forced me to marry your pakhan.”
Oleg looks forward and shakes his head. “This is a bad idea.”
I shift in my seat. “It was a bad idea from the start.”
“I have no idea why he wanted this one.” Oleg sighs deeply, then remembers who he is with. “I don’t say this to be disrespectful. But Andrei Vasilyevich has good instincts. If he says you are in danger, you should listen. Pay attention, Paige Geraldovna, to your surroundings. He is seeing something that none of us are.”
Oleg looks straight ahead as I shrink into my seat again. He’s right. Andrei always sees danger before it strikes. But what could I have done? The photos from that murderous wedding were erased. My camera was destroyed. So what if I witnessed it? Others did too. God, those poor people. It never made the news.
I clear my throat, and Oleg turns to look. “Is it because of the other wedding?”
“Perhaps.” He shrugs. “We were all there, and now, we live in danger.”
“What do you mean?” I ask, forgetting my own fear for a moment.
Oleg lowers his voice. “People have been attacked in places that were considered off-limits. Weddings are times of celebration, and to attack one is the worst offense. You should know that. I don’t know why you don’t know.”
“He told me that his business is not my concern,” I whisper.
“He’s wrong, Paige Geraldovna. The Bratva is your family now. Our concerns are yours, even if you don’t think so.”
“I have a family.” I tighten my grip on my purse. “A real one that I’m not allowed to see.”
“It is not to be cruel,” he explains. “It is for your protection and theirs. You know nothing of the Bratva.”
“No, how would I?” I ask defensively.
Oleg places his hands on his knees and takes a deep breath. “You are the queen on the chessboard. We are all your pawns. Your safety is foremost to us. If you or Andrei Vasilyevich take a hit, then it shows others we are weak. So, when you are careless, you put our safety at risk too. You may not want to be here, but think of the men protecting you. They have no choice either.”
I look down at my blue and tan sneakers for the rest of the ride. Oleg must have read my mind. I had planned to skip out on Sonya and find a ride back to my father’s house. But I had second thoughts while we were leaving the mansion. Now, knowing that my actions might hurt someone or worse, I don’t dare.
I just have to wait until I know no one will be blamed.
“Oleg?”
He looks as if he is far away in his thoughts when he turns toward me.
“Please call me Paige. There is no need to be so formal.”
