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Well, not exactly, but it’s something similar to one. Sergei is throwing a banquet to celebrate the unification of the Bratva and the Luciano families.
As in,myfamily.
I’m still unable to wrap my head around that idea, but I guess it’s too soon.
It’s been a week since I nearly lost Adrian. A week since I met my father for the first time and asked him to help me.
My husband, who’s currently placing a firm hand at the small of my back, is wearing his tux that might be responsible for making me fall further in love with him. He just looks so delectable in formal wear, as if he was born for this type of appearance. Add his sharp features and his untouchable aura, and he’s a sight to behold.
I’m wearing on a knee-length satin gown with a somewhat deep neckline that reveals a hint of my cleavage. Its dark blue color compliments my skin tone and makes me look elegant. When I was getting dressed, Adrian kept glaring at the neckline and asked me to change. But we were already late, so I put on a scarf, then removed it as soon as we were in the car.
That’s one reason for his sour mood, but the main reason is that I insisted on coming to this celebration.
He was against it, saying that Sergei will only be angrier if he sees me and that Lazlo won’t leave me alone. While both of those are true, I’m done hiding away like a porcelain doll.
If there’s anything I learned from temporarily losing my identity and everything that followed, it’s that I can’t keep watching my life like a spectator. I have to take action, even if it ends up being wrong. At least I will have tried, not sat around, waiting for someone else to make the decisions.
Besides, a marriage is for two. I need to stand tall beside Adrian and help him as Rai does with her husband, Kyle.
So what if Adrian always had the last word before? That won’t be happening anymore and I proved that by insisting on coming here. I had to pay for it when he turned my ass red with his belt last night—to the point where I can barely sit today—but it was worth it.
We stop in front of the lounge area where Sergei is sitting with Igor and Mikhail. He lets Adrian kiss his hand, but when it’s my turn, he pulls it away and glares at me. “Why, isn’t this the reason Adrian is losing his logic?”
A muscle works in Adrian’s jaw. “Pakhan. I told you—”
He lifts a hand, shushing my husband without saying it and fixes me with a harsh stare. “Do you have an explanation about your implication in this situation, Lia? An apology?”
I take a deep breath. “I was a victim, and I will not apologize for that. Adrian did what he had to.”
“Are you talking back to me?”
“I’m only answering your question.” I square my shoulders even though my hand trembles around my clutch bag. “We took vows,Pakhan, to care for and protect each other, and those vows are as precious to me as the brotherhood’s codes of honor. I’m not asking you to like me, since I know that won’t be possible, but please try to understand our situation.”
He narrows his eyes on me as if he’s contemplating whether or not to punish me for the insolence. Adrian tightens his hold on my waist until it hurts. I’m not sure if it’s in anticipation of Sergei’s next words or because of how I spoke.
Maybe both.
A few seconds pass before Sergei waves me away. I nod, congratulating him on the deal with the Lucianos and step back.
At first, Adrian doesn’t release me, but then he whispers in my ear, “Stay close and don’t cause any trouble.”
“You, too,” I whisper back and get on my tiptoes to kiss him on the cheek.
His expression falters for a bit as he’s taken aback. Since he makes it his mission to keep his distance from me in front of his precious Bratva, I’ve done the same and have never shown any PDA before.
However, now is different. Now, I intend for the world to learn that he belongs to me as much as I belong to him.
I slip from his hold and head back to the party.
The place buzzes with a lot of invitees in formal attire. There’s soft piano music playing, but it’s somewhat drowned out by the constant chatter.
As per Sergei’s other gatherings, this one is heavily guarded and has an open bar and scattered tables where guests can sit and chat.
I used to dislike such events with a passion. Partly because Adrian treated me like a stranger at them and partly because it always felt like I was an outsider, a fraud.
That I’d taken another woman’s man.
But I think I’m able to rise above that now. As screwed up as it is, I believe Adrian and I were always meant to be together.
