Page 25 of Arranged Control

“You look so fucking good,” Kira says, sounding giddy. “Holy shit, Seamus is going to lose his mind.”

I feel my cheeks turn pink. I think about his last words to me that day.Prettiest bride in New York. Right now, in front of this mirror, with the perfect dress all thanks to him, I feel like I might actually live up to his expectations.

It’s a thrill. I’m terrified too. But wearing this, it’s like I’m in armor and I can defeat any challenger.

“Five minutes until—” Siobhan Whelan pokes her head into my little bridal suite. We’re in a small, intimate venue in the West Village. Expensive and nice, but quiet and small. Her eyes widen when she spots me. “Well, would you look at that.”

“What do you think, Mrs. Whelan?” I turn for her so she gets the full effect.

“Incredible.” She shakes her head in disbelief. “She made that in two weeks?”

“Well, Celeste and an army of helpers,” Kira adds helpfully.

“You look perfect. And please, call me Siobhan. You’re going to be my daughter in—” She checks her watch. “Four minutes.”

I love this woman. The precision. The poise. I only wish her son were half so organized. “We’ll be ready.”

She nods, looking me over one more time. “Pearls,” she says, eyebrows raising. “Why the pearl motif?”

I open my mouth. How am I supposed to explain the significance? I end up just shrugging. “I like them,” I say lamely.

Kira finishes my make-up. She’s in a dust blue bridesmaid dress and looks like a total knockout. It suits her perfectly.

“Are you ready?” she asks, trying to sound as casual as she can. “I mean, I know you’re notready-ready, but you’re not going to pass out or run away, right?”

“I’m not passing out or running away,” I confirm, trying to sound more resolute than I feel.

“And this is totally fine, right? You’re cool with marrying this guy and there isn’t like a hidden gun trained on you the whole time, right?”

“No weapons are involved in this marriage.”

“Great. Okay. I just wanted to double-check.”

“I know you’re worried about me.” I stand and hug her tightly. “But everything’s fine. Really, it’ll be totally fine.”

The more I try to make Kira feel better, the more I sound like I’m really trying to convince myself.

But no time to keep worrying. Siobhan returns and announces that it’s time. I follow her to the hallway outside of the reception hall where the ceremony’s happening. Inside, around a hundred men and women, blood relatives and important members of the Whelans and the Morozovs, are waiting to see the bride.

Which happens to be me. Somehow.

Papa shows up a moment later. Siobhan gives us some last-minute instructions before peeking in through the door. Papa stands at my side and glances at me, frowning slightly, before I take his arm.

“You look nice,” he says stiffly. “Where’d the dress come from?”

“Seamus bought it for me.”

His frown deepens. “That sounds thoughtful.”

“It was, actually.”

Siobhan waves as the wedding march begins. “Move it!” She pushes open the door and practically kicks us into the aisle.

Papa walks stiffly. All eyes turn to stare. Ahead, up on the altar, Seamus stands with his younger brother, Finn, both of them obscenely handsome in their tuxedos. The priest is an older man I don’t recognize, pale and pasty.

I try to ignore all the familiar faces. Men I’ve known my whole life. Taras up at the front. His generals and brigadiers around him. Powerful and important people, men I’ve been told to respect and honor. Their wives and daughters scattered among them. Girls I’ve known forever, but never really got along with. I’ve always been held apart, mostly because I’m the Pakhan’s daughter, and that makes me different.

“Do you see now, Alina?” Papa whispers softly to me. I walk awkwardly by his side. “How important this is to everyone?”