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She is petite with curves in all the right places. Her stilettos make her legs seem longer than what they are. I put her at about five foot six without the heels. Her movements are graceful and fluid. Her simple yet elegant white dress hugs her figure, showing off her slender waist and toned arms. If I had to guess, her favorite color is white.
As she greets me with a soft hello, her soft voice is melodic, like a songbird’s—a stark contrast from when she called me a pussy. Her words are thoughtful and measured as she introduces herself and takes a seat opposite of me. She has to recognize me too, but her mask of indifference is Academy-Award worthy.
To any other man, this beautiful woman with long brunette hair and blue eyes would be a true vision of perfection. She exudes an effortless beauty both captivating and inspiring, and it would be impossible not to be enchanted by her presence. I, however, know that this version of her is a lie. Her ability not to react upon seeing me is very telling. It speaks to her ease to be deceitful and a chameleon. She’s not to be trusted. Once I’m done breaking her, her true identity will prevail.
“Morning, sweetheart,” Vladimir greets. He passes her a mimosa from the tray at the center of the table. “I would like you to meet Kai Gallagher.”
“Nice to meet you,” I say, the word Margo on the tip of my tongue, but I refrain. Why the fuck is she not in jail? Is her father aware of her assassination attempt? Did he use his reach to get the charge dismissed?
Our eyes meet for the briefest of seconds before she looks away. “Hello,” she says again.
My quest to break her just became much more essential. She may have escaped through the confines of the law, but she won’t escape my punishment. She will pay for her attempt on Persephone’s life. So if she wants to continue this charade for her father’s sake, so be it.
Vasilisa falls silent, but her eyes trail over my body, assessing me with an intensity that would make most uncomfortable. It’s clear she is not happy with this arrangement.
“I’m sorry for my daughter’s quietness,” Vladimir speaks up, pouring himself a cup of coffee now that he’s finished his whiskey. “She’s had some issues adapting to the idea of an arranged marriage.” He turns to his daughter. “We were just discussing the timeframe for your wedding,” Vladimir continues. “I think three months will be sufficient. It will give the two of you a chance to get to know each other before you exchange vows.”
Vasilisa takes a small sip of her mimosa, but I see the slightest slip in her mask of indifference. “Are you saying you want us to date first?” she questions.
I smirk at the audacity. Surely, she isn’t as naive as she’s trying to appear. “I don’t date, sweetheart,” I answer, using the same nickname her father used but condescendingly.
“Well, how is this supposed to work?” She snarls, before it transitions back into her practiced smile.
Vladmir interrupts, sensing the tension building. “Vasilisa, you will have today to pack up your things. Tomorrow, Kai will send a driver for you. You will join him at his home during this short engagement period so the two of you can work through any differences you may have.”
“This seems far from appropriate,” she scoffs, her feistiness rearing its head. Yeah, she’s going to be a treat to bring down a few pegs.
“You’re twenty-one now, so you’re of age. And Kai is aware that he isn’t getting a virgin … you made sure of that,” Vladimir growls, his own temper flaring. “So given the circumstances, it’s very appropriate. It’s time for you to fall in line. And that won’t be happening under the roof of this house where you constantly do as you goddamn well please.”
Vasilisa glares at me before pushing back from the table. “I freaking hate this whole idea.” She slams the champagne glass on the table, breaking it at the stem. The shards fall between the opening of the wrought iron. She storms off, and her father looks embarrassed for her.
“You’ll have to excuse my daughter,” Vladimir says. “Growing up without a mother means she didn’t have a nurturing upbringing or examples of how to be submissive. I warned you that she was stubborn. The three months will give her a chance to get more comfortable with the idea of this wedding.”
I nod in agreement, but comfort will be the furthest thing from her three months with me. If this is the lie he needs to tell himself to turn her over to me, who am I to intervene in that delusion.
“I will send my driver over in the morning at ten sharp.”
I stand, and we shake hands to solidify the agreement. “Sorry about brunch. Do you want to take any of it with you? I can have one of my house staff get you a to-go container.”
“Nah. Just means less calories to burn off at the gym. I’ll be in touch.”
I see myself out. The morning wasn’t a complete waste. Now that I know who Vasilisa really is, my plans for her can commence. I have some modifications to make for her room at the home I just bought in San Francisco, an hour and a half from here. I just became her worst nightmare, so she better enjoy her last day of freedom.
CHAPTER FOUR
Vasilisa
As I neared the table for brunch, my gaze was immediately drawn to him—the man I’m betrothed to marry. The first thing that captured my attention was his muscular frame, sculpted like a work of art. Every movement he made so casually exuded strength and power. The way his broad shoulders fill out his plain white T-shirt, the definition in his arms, and the confident way he carries himself were impossible to ignore.
But it wasn’t justhis physique that got my attention; it was his hair, flowing in wild, untamed curls. Each strand seemed to have a life of its own, cascading down his chest and framing his chiseled face. The thickness of his locks only added to the allure, a testament to his vitality and masculinity.
WhenI finally got close enough to see his eyes, they were mesmerizing— a shade of amber so deep and rich, it was as if they held the secrets of the universe. They were like a fine cognac—warm and inviting. There was a certain spark within them, an undeniable twinkle that danced with danger and mischief. When those eyes met mine, it felt as if time stood still. Familiarity knocked me off kilter, and I had to work to maintain my composure. Those wild locks were secured in a top knot on his head before in Persie’s apartment, and I was too distracted by my failed attempt to kill her to really get an appreciative look at him before, but it’s definitely him. It’s the bodyguard from Persie’s apartment. While he sat across the table from me, he gave nothing away. Was it possible he didn’t recognize me? It’s very possible since I was dressed and styled differently today from that disastrous encounter.
His presence was intoxicating,his confidence contagious. There was an air of mystery about him, a sense that he was much more dangerous than his astonishing good looks portrayed. I'm still not a fan of this whole forced marriage thing, but I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t intrigued, curious to uncover the stories hidden behind those bulging muscles and wild curls. My first impression of him is that he’s savagely loyal. My life was spared due to his respect and admiration for Persie.
And as Icontinued to observe him, to admire the intricate details of his masculinity, I realized that his exterior beauty was merely an illusion for the man he likely is underneath.“I don’t date”is what he said. I don’t doubt that. Things between us got a bit tense due to his flippant, condescending attitude regarding this whole ordeal. Add in my father’s insensitive comments about me not being a virgin and insisting that I move in with this savage god, and I knew I needed to get out of there. If I have to go through with this whole arrangement, at least he’s easy to look at. For now though, I need another distraction … a last hurrah of sorts, and I know just the place.
CHAPTER FIVE
