AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Advice,” she corrects me. “Her past may give you answers. But it won’t do anything to solve the problems of your future.”
9
EDEN
“Are we getting married here instead?”I look up dubiously at the gray stone castle rising above its surroundings against a cloudless sky. The Sorokin estate sits atop a cliff overlooking the Atlantic Ocean like a nightmare waiting to be dreamt.
“It looks isolated.” I frown as I press my nose against the car window to get a better look.
Nikolai smirks. “If you like, but I’ve already booked the fort upstate.”
After a quick but romantic day trip to Niagara Falls, we agreed on Fort Charles in Twinning, New York, for our wedding venue. Neither place looks inviting or welcoming, a stark contrast to the joy I feel for my upcoming wedding, but they certainly look like they’ll keep an army out.
“Don’t tease me,” I tell Nikolai. “I’m nervous enough as it is.”
“You’ll do fine. You’ve impressed the hell out of them already.” He smirks, then lapses into a thoughtful silence.
We’ve been driving for what feels like hours on the NY Thruway. Three SUVs follow behind our Mercedes to a meeting among friends.Friends?I want to scoff at the word. The men we’re about to meet are fragile allies at best.
But Nikolai is determined to convince them to support him by staying out of our business.
If we can’t get my father’s blessing, we’ll settle for theirs.
“All that’s missing is a dark and stormy night,” I quip as we drive up to a fortified guardhouse. I look straight ahead when a rough man steps out and approaches the car.
Nikolai hands the guard his gun, and I notice our other guards stop and do the same.
“Is it safe?” I ask.
“House rules,” Nikolai explains, navigating the winding drive to the main door. “Radomil Sorokin owns an impressive collection of art and antiques,” he adds. “Maybe he’ll give you a tour.”
I don’t respond immediately and stare at the tiny speck of the Atlantic past the stone structure. I wonder how many unfortunates have been thrown down there.
“Our meeting interests me more than some paint on a canvas,” I reply firmly.
Nikolai grins. “Sorokin is a cold fish who doesn’t know the meaning of a smile. But Anatoli Popov is a charmer who loves to socialize. Gossip is worth more to him than gold, and he hoards both. And Dmitri … Well, you’ve met his wife, Natasha.”
I nod, feeling reassured, but I know better than to be cocky.
“Don’t worry.” Smiling, I bat my lashes. “I know how to charm dangerous men.”
Nikolai raps the iron knocker against the gigantic oak door, and slowly, it creaks open. I camouflage my surprise behind a mask of indifference when I see an elderly man with silver hair and a straight back standing in the doorway. His advanced age conceals impressive strength. He examines us both before stepping aside to let us in.
Nikolai motions to his guards to remain near the SUVs, except for Anton and Pavel, who enter behind us. A few burly-looking men standing around the hall watch us suspiciously as we enter, but this is to be expected. They quickly move aside as Popov shows up to greet us. He’s tall and wide, and a thick, dark beard covers his chin and neck. I recognize him from the gala and try not to stare too hard.
“Welcome, Nikolai Gennadyevich.” Popov’s laughter booms across the hall as he welcomes us further into the house. His warmth competes with his size. Both are in the extreme. Nikolai says Popov chooses to use charm, not brawn, to handle delicate situations.
“Anatoli Pavlovich.” Nikolai clasps hands, and Popov pulls Nikolai into a tight hug. “Not ready to completely retire yet?”
“My granddaughter says I suffer from FOMO.” He laughs. “And it’s hard for me to stay away from the antics of you children.”
He smiles at Nikolai with approval, but this man is no fool. His blessing must always be earned. Popov looks toward me, and I smile softly, determined not to fawn over this man.
“This is my fiancé, Eden Budanov,” Nikolai says. “You haven’t been formally introduced.”
“Sir.” I hold out my hand, and Popov bows over it, holding it firmly.
“I have been looking forward to meeting the woman who will be the future of the Starukhin Bratva.”
