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Hesitating, the minister clears his throat and continues, “Do you, Sonya, take Gleb to be your lawfully wedded husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health, so long as you both shall live?”
Sonya holds tightly to the bouquet of wretched flowers already beginning to wilt and looks over her shoulder at the attendees. Her chest rises and falls as her eyes search for someone. She turns around fully, and her eyes scan each row. An audible gasp escapes her mouth, and she stares desperately into my eyes. Sonya’s deep sob breaks my heart into pieces.
Gleb grabs hold of her shoulder and spins her around to face the minister. “Answer the question,” he demands, but Sonya sobs louder than before, unable to stop her tears.
Gleb tugs Sonya into his arms. “She says I do.”
The minister grins nervously at Gleb, his hands turning white as he grips the prayer book. “It has to come from her lips.”
“Why else do you think we’re here?” Gleb shouts. He glares at the minister, who is shaken, and his shouting turns into maniacal laughter. A weird, twisted sound, unconvincing and lacking any spirit, as he squeezes Sonya to his side. “Continue,” he demands. “We are getting married.”
“Do you, Sonya …”
Gleb lets go of Sonya and grabs the small book out of the minister’s hands. He tries to rip it in two but can’t, so he flings it onto the ground. “Don’t read it again!” he shouts, then turns to Sonya. “Answer him.”
Her chest heaves in her tight bodice as dark lines of mascara race down her face. “No,” she whispers. “I can’t do this.”
“She doesn’t mean that,” laughs Gleb. He grabs Sonya, shaking her until she drops the bouquet. “You don’t mean it!” he yells at her. “It’s not the plan, babe. We have a deal signed in blood.”
“No, I won’t do it!” shouts Sonya, tugging the veil off her head.
“Yousaidyes. You can’t get something for nothing, and so far, you’ve given nothing, bitch.”
Paige grips my thigh hard before I can stand. “Andrei, please.”
I resign myself to doing nothing, and I hate myself for it, but I’m no longer alone in the world. And I will protect my wife and my child first.
Sonya sprints up the aisle, dodging the bridesmaids, who are quickly giving chase. The heavy fabric of her wedding dress billows and sways around her, but she doesn’t let it slow her down. She dodges the security guards outside the door and heads in the direction of the coatroom. I hear a door slam in the distance.
I slip my phone out of my pocket, and Natasha answers. “Call it off,” I tell her.
“Call what off?” Paige whispers. “Andrei, what were you going to do?”
“I have to go find her first,” I reply coldly. “Stay here with Popov and his men.”
Chapter 37
Paige
Call it off,he said. Call what off? I want to know, but Andrei rushes away to find Sonya before Gleb can drag her back down the aisle. Sonya bolts from the room faster than anyone in their seats can react. Watching her go, I find myself wondering why I didn’t do the same thing many months ago.
Thankfully, our seats are near the exit. I’m able to get out quickly, before the commotion starts. I’m out of the room and in the lobby before the other guests can follow. I watch Andrei run down the hallway at top speed to the coatroom door.
His face flushes in desperation as he pounds on the closed door, shouting Sonya’s name repeatedly. He bangs on it with an urgency that makes my heart race. Clasping my hands together, I hope his purpose is to save her. The plywood door shudders and rattles on its rickety hinges but remains shut. Sonya refuses to unlock the door.
“Sonya! It’s me!” he yells, his voice echoing through the empty hallway as he pushes with all his strength.
Andrei braces his foot against the weakening wood, and the door gives away under the force of his kick. It swings open on its hinges as he stumbles into the room. I press my hand over my mouth, feeling relief cooling my body, but then the door shuts again. Staring, I watch the door, wondering why they’re not coming out.
Talia suddenly appears behind me, but I block her way to the coatroom. I may be pregnant but her impractical four-inch heels level the playing field. She reaches for my arm, but I push her back against the wall. She has no guards with her, and neither do I.
“You haven’t paidmeyet.” Talia stands tall, trying to intimidate me.
“What do you mean?” I ask.
Her smirk fades as she speaks again. “A Reyes for a Reyes,” she says coldly.
“Don’t you ever go near Emma again.” I shake my finger at her. “She told me what happened. You’re lucky I don’t find something sharp to carve you up with.”
