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“I did!” I stand between him and his sister. If I’m going to get married to this beast of a man, the least I can do is use that to my advantage. “I need a woman to help me get ready for this wedding, which, I’ll have you know, I didn’t even know was happening!”
He turns the full heat of his gaze on me, and I have to concentrate hard not to wither under his glare.
Instead of responding to me, he turns back to Polina. "I specifically told you not to come near my captive. You were told not to talk to her."
She stands her ground, her hands on her hips. “She needed help and you were nowhere to be found. Do you really want to get married with her wearing a robe?”
He responds with another growl.
“And by the way,” I say, asserting myself in an attempt to keep him on his toes. “When were you going to tell me about this wedding? On our honeymoon?”
"Very cute you think you're getting a honeymoon."
“Like I want a honeymoon withyou,” I mutter. Polina stifles a snort.
“Watch it, Aria,” he says in a warning tone. “You think I won’t pull you over my knee in front of anyone? Try me.”
I look away, my cheeks flaming.
“You are going to spend the rest of your life with this woman, Mikhail,” Polina says candidly. “I suggest you treat her nicely. You know literally nothing about makeup and bronzer and highlighter, you have no idea how to style her hair, and correct me if I’m wrong, but wasn’t it you who told me there’ll be photos we’ll have to publicize? It would behoove you to prepare her.”
"I'llhelp her."
"You will not see your bride before the wedding, Mikhail! It’s bad luck.”
One of the guards stands tentatively in the doorway, another hovering at his shoulder. “Boss, I’m sorry, there’s a situation.”
Mikhail shoves me behind him.Shit.I forgot I’m still wearing a robe.
“Get the fuckout.If you look at her, I’ll fucking kill you.”
Polina’s widened eyes tell me this is no bluff.
They scurry out of the room like terrified mice. Mikhail blows out a breath and turns to Polina. He says something in Russian that makes Polina flinch before he speaks again in English. "You help her get ready. But this is not over. There are consequences for disobedience, and you know it."
He leaves, the scent of sandalwood and pine lingering in his wake. When the door shuts, she sticks her tongue out at it. Despite my pounding heart and shaky nerves, it makes me smile.
"I wish I could say he was all bluster, but he's not.” With a sigh, she shakes her head. “He actually is quite terrifying. He’s lucky I love him.”
“What did he say to you just now?”
“Oh, it was just a string of curse words and promises to exile me to Siberia if I interfere. It’s fine, we’re good.”
Definitely not soothing my nerves.
“Are you in…trouble?”
I’m confused about these family dynamics, but I do know one thing: Mikhail is the one in charge of damn near everyone.
She rolls her eyes, but I can tell it’s only forced bravado. A part of her is scared.
“What will he do?”
“Oh, to me?” She reaches for the dress, her back to me, and waves her hand in the air. “Don’t worry about me.”
I do, though. I feel somehow responsible.
She quickly changes the subject. “Listen, I don't know why you're getting married, but I know why Mikhail is. You're going to find this out soon enough. If he doesn't get married, my entire family is fucked. That's the short story. You're getting married today. He’s all strung up and on high alert because there are people who very much want to prevent this from happening. You are in danger. That's why you have like basically an entire squad of bodyguards outside the door. The last women he?—”
