Page 5
Chapter
Five
DIMITRI
N ikolai Petrov is a stoic man.
I swear, he’s made of fucking stone sometimes. With a nasty scar across his face, he’s an intimidating figure. Good thing he’s never intimidated me.
“Nik!” I exclaim, sliding into the booth across him. “Nice to see you again.”
He’s nursing a drink—scotch from the look of it. Probably top shelf, knowing him. Me? I love a good drink, but I’m a bit trash when it comes to alcohol. I’ll kind of drink anything if it gets me drunk.
“What do you want, Dimitri?”
“Hey, be careful with the tone. We’re business partners, remember? We’ve made peace. All is good.”
“I do remember. But I don’t remember giving you license to call me Nik. It’s Nikolai to you.”
“Uh-huh. So.” I lean my arms on the table. “I’m in a bit of a predicament and need help.”
“Aren’t you always in a ‘bit of a predicament’?” He takes a sip of his drink. “Well, what is it this time? ”
“I fucked a Bratva woman, and now, her father wants me to marry her.”
“So?”
“So? I don’t want to marry her! And now, he’s trying to kill me over it.”
Nik takes one look at me and laughs. “Oh, Dimitri, you are fucked.”
“Thanks. So, you gonna help me or what?”
“Help you with what? You have your answer. Marry the girl.”
“It’s Tatiana Sokolov.”
He winces. “Tough luck. She’s a bit annoying.”
“I know, Nik. I know she’s annoying. That’s why I don’t want to marry her. I … have someone else in mind.”
“Who?”
“You don’t know her. She’s not from our world.”
“Then marry her.”
“But I still have the problem of Abram, Tatiana’s father. He wants me dead. He literally shot up my house. Just a few hours ago. I need to nip this in the bud.”
“What do you want me to do?”
I sigh and give Nik my most charming smile—it doesn’t work on him. Screw him for not being a pretty girl who can’t resist my charms. “If you were to come with me to talk with Abram, it would scare him straight. He’d back off. I know he would. You tend to scare people.”
“Huh.” He finishes off his drink and sets the glass down. “That’s all? No fighting?”
“I seem to recall your love of a bloodbath. Getting your hands dirty.”
“That was before I was married.”
I groan. “Ugh, Ava made you a pussy.”
His hand clenches around his glass. “No. My wife made me a better man. I promised I would make peace with you, and I have. I don’t need to start any new wars. I’m still dealing with Anton.”
Anton was Nikolai’s second in command who gave him the scar across his face. He tried killing Nik but didn’t succeed. No one’s seen him since.
“But Anton is in the wind. In the meantime, you can help me with my problem. No bloodshed. No starting wars. Just you and me and Maxim talking to Abram and getting him to back off.”
“You spoke to Maxim about this? Is he in on it?”
Maxim is the third piece in our partnership. He’s the president of the Knights, a biker gang who helps with gun and drug shipments. He’s almost as pretty as me. Almost.
“I wanted to talk to you first,” I say. “He’ll do it if you’re a part of it.”
He sighs and runs his hand down his face, making his scar redder. It doesn’t ruin his good looks. I know some women love the rugged, stern look of a man. But I’ll take my pretty boy looks any day of the week.
“Fine,” he grumbles. “I’ll do it if it means no bloodshed. Just to talk.”
“Just to talk,” I say, my hands raising in surrender. “I swear. I don’t need Abram’s blood on my hands either. I could have killed him already, but I chose not to.”
“Wow. I’m impressed. Dimitri Ivanov showing some restraint for once.”
“I’m trying to be a better person, too.” I pause. “Well, mostly I’m just trying to keep Abram from destroying my club and house. I happen to like those things, you know?”
“Oh, I know. I’ll join you, Dimitri. But if things turn sour, I’m holding you responsible.”
“Deal.” I tap the table, then stand up.
“Where you off to?”
“I’m heading back home. My future bride is waiting for me.”
EVIE
I pace around the guestroom for what feels like hours. I can still hear Katya screaming down the hallway for Dimitri to let her out, but he doesn’t.
He doesn’t let me out either.
I should be terrified, but all I can think about is that if Dimitri doesn’t let me go, I won’t be able to make my shift at the library tomorrow. I never miss a shift unless I’m sick, and even then, I’ll usually work on online things for the library from home.
How did my life turn out like this? Held in a room by a crazy mobster who wants me to marry him to protect me from a serial killer. It’s something right out of a novel, but it’s my real life.
I slump onto the bed, too tired to yell anymore.
I hear when Dimitri returns home. His footsteps aren’t exactly quiet, and the fact that he’s whistling to himself makes him obvious. How can he be so nonchalant about everything?
He raps on my door then opens it. “How you doing?”
“Considering you locked me in here, pretty well for the circumstances.” Just a few hours ago, I was stuttering in front of this man. That has all changed. We’re past the point of being awkward around each other.
Dimitri smirks. God, it makes him more handsome, and I blush. “Well, tomorrow, we’re getting married. Might as well get it over with. I need to stake my claim before Dima tries to get you again. Sound good?”
“No, not good,” I say, sitting up. “You’re an incredibly brazen man, Dimitri.”
“Brazen? Good word choice.”
“You are arrogant?—”
“I know.”
“And conceited?—”
“Also know that.”
“And just plain rude.”
“Rude? How?” He swaggers into the room, leaving the door behind him open. “I saved your life, remember? Twice now.”
“Again, I’m grateful for that. But you locked me in here, and you’re trying to force me into a marriage. That’s the definition of rude.”
“I thought the definition of rude was dog owners who don’t pick up their dog’s poop?”
His words are so absurd that I can’t help but crack a smile. “No, I don’t think that’s the definition. It’s just an example of rude behavior.”
He points at my face. “You smiled.”
I quickly frown. “No, I didn’t.”
“Yes, you did. You know, you’re beautiful when you smile. I mean, you’re beautiful even when you’re glaring at me like you are right now, but when you smile …” He shakes his head, letting out a low whistle. “I could look at your face for eternity when you smile.”
My face is beet red. “Surely, that’s a pickup line.”
“Oh, it is.”
The little bit of fluttering I felt dissipates. Until he speaks again.
“But it’s also the truth. You’re beautiful, Evie. It’s partly why I’m drawn to you.”
I can’t meet his eyes as I say, “You’ve spent time with a lot of beautiful women. I know because Katya would always complain about the dates you brought home.”
When he chuckles, the sound travels straight to my stomach, where it constricts. Why does he make my body respond this way? I don’t like him. I need to keep reminding myself that. “It’s true. I’ve dated a lot of beautiful women.”
“So, why me, then? You could’ve chosen any of those women at your party.”
“I almost did. Her name’s Irina. But then I met you, and I needed to save you, and then, well …” He shrugs, scratching the back of his head. “Here we are.”
“Did saving me really make you change your mind?”
“I saw you on that table in danger, and something inside me took over. Then I carried you out of that house, and I thought, ‘Damn, she feels good in my arms.’ And then I knew. I’m not marrying for love. But I would like to marry a woman I enjoy being around, and so far, Evie, I’ve enjoyed all our interactions. ”
He does have a way with words, I’ll give him that.
He sits down beside me, making my insides curl with nerves. “Why don’t you like me? Besides the fact that I’m brazen and rude and arrogant?”
“I barely know you. How can I marry a man I barely know?”
“People do it all the time in my world. Arranged marriages are very common. You get used to the idea after all. Marrying in my world isn’t for love. It’s for power or convenience. In this case, it’s practical. I save you from Dima, and you save me from having to marry Tatiana.”
“Why is her father so intent on making you marry her?”
This time, Dimitri actually goes a little red. Not going to lie—it’s kind of endearing. “I may have slept with her, and he’s not happy about that.”
“How old is she?”
“Twenty.”
My age. Why does that make feel … strange?
“But if she’s an adult, then why is it a problem?”
Dimitri laughs. “You clearly don’t know my world. He just expects me to marry her for it. But I don’t want to.”
“So, you’d rather marry me instead to get out of it?”
“Exactly.”
“You’re kind of crazy, you know that?”
He flashes me that charming smile once more. “I get that all the time.” He brushes a piece of my hair behind my ear. I hold perfectly still.
Then he drops his hand, and I feel the strangest amount of disappointment.
“We’re getting married tomorrow,” he tells me. “I’m sorry you don’t get a choice. But I’m a man who takes what I want.”
“I just have to accept that?”
“Yes.” He says it like it’s obvious. “Don’t worry. I’ll buy you a wedding dress so you can look your best.” Then he leaves, and I slump back against the bed.
Why do I get the feeling Dimitri just doesn’t understand why I don’t want this to happen ?
But then again, I’ve only spent a day with Dimitri, and already, it’s been the most exciting day of my entire life. What does that say about me?
Dimitri presents me with a wedding dress the next morning. I’ll give him this—it’s a stunning gown. Lace trim on the arms with a sweetheart neckline. It’s long and flares out, but it’s not too flashy.
Honestly, if I was choosing my wedding dress, this would be the dress I would want.
“Here.” He hands it to me. “Put it on, and then we go.”
“Go where?”
“To the church.”
Right. Because we’re getting married today. I mean, there has to be laws against this. He can’t legally force me into a marriage. I’ll just have to play along until I find a moment to escape and return to my normal life.
My normal life with Juno constantly making critical comments. My normal life of only living within books.
The more I think about it, the more I realize I’m not sure I want my old, normal life back.
But can I really give up my agency to Dimitri?
I slip into the ensuite bathroom and put the dress on. It’s a perfect fit. And it looks amazing on me.
I step back into the bedroom, my hands on my hips. “How did you know my size?”
“I’m good at telling a woman’s size.”
Of course, he is.
Dimitri makes a show of looking me over before whistling. “You are a vision. Has anyone ever told you, Evie, that you’re fucking stunning?”
I flush. The truth is, no one ever has because I’ve never let myself be in a relationship to receive such a compliment. I’ve always been too afraid to leave my books behind .
“No,” I admit.
“Then I’m going to make sure I tell you every day.” He holds out his hand to me. “Now, let’s go get married.”
He makes it sound so easy. Just sign my life away to this man I barely know.
And yet, within such a short amount of time, he’s saved my life twice and has made me feel more than I ever have.
This is crazy, and I don’t agree with it, but for now, I have to play by Dimitri’s rules. Maybe once Dima is dealt with, I can take Dimitri to court and get our fake marriage annulled.
With that comforting knowledge in mind, I take his hand. It’s warm and strong around mine. Instantly, I feel more at ease.
The church is large and gaudy and nothing I would ever want to get married in.
But it seems I don’t have a choice.
Katya is our witness even though she’s adamantly against this.
“Are you mad?” Dimitri asks her as we enter the church.
“Of course, I’m mad! You locked me in my room, you doofus.” Her voice echoes through the almost empty church. A few of the other churchgoers glance at her with curiosity.
“Ah, Father,” Dimitri says, approaching the priest near the altar. “We’d like to get married.” He tugs me along behind him. My long wedding dress trails on the ground.
“You need an appointment, and we need to discuss your faith first,” the priest responds. “I know I’ve never seen any of you in my church before.”
“That’s because we’re not churchgoing people.” Dimitri pauses and looks at me. “Are you a churchgoing person?”
“Not really.”
“See? Already learning things about you.” He turns back to the priest. “Listen, we don’t have time to waste. So, if you could just marry us, that would be great. ”
“As I said, you need an appointment, and—” He stops when Dimitri pulls his jacket back and reveals the gun inside the pocket.
“Don’t make me take this out, Father. Just marry us, and we’ll be on our way.”
The priest looks at me. I could plead with him for help, but I doubt he’d be able to do anything. Sure, he could call the police, but something tells me Dimitri isn’t the kind of man who’s bound by the police.
“Just marry us,” I whisper. I want to get this over with. The sooner it’s done, the sooner I can find a way to escape Dimitri’s crazy world and get back to my own.
Dimitri waggles his jacket, showing off the gun.
The priest gulps and nods. “Is that your witness?” he asks, pointing at Katya.
“Yep,” she grumbles.
“Ok, good. Uh … let us begin.”
He has Dimitri and me stand opposite each other and hold hands, and then he begins the ceremony. It’s short and simple. I suspect it’s because the priest wants to get us out of his church as fast as possible.
“Do you …” He looks at Dimitri. “I’m sorry. I don’t know your name.”
“Dimitri Ivanov.”
His eyes widen slightly, almost like he recognizes the name. How far does Dimitri’s power extend?
“And yours?” the priest quickly asks me.
“Evelyn Anderson.”
“Right.” He clears his throat. It’s loud in the quiet church. “Do you, Dimitri Ivanov, take this woman to be your lawfully wedded wife?”
“I do,” Dimitri says without a hint of hesitation. How can someone who never wanted to get married be so sure?
It’s because he’s calling all the shots, I realize. He can afford to be confident. Whereas me? I can’t afford to take my eye off the ball.
“And do you, Evelyn Anderson, take this man to be your lawfully wedded husband?”
Lawful? I think to myself. This is the furthest thing from lawful, but I know that if I run screaming from this church, Dimitri will just grab me and plant me right back in this spot. I know he’s Katya’s brother, so I don’t believe he’d hurt me, but I don’t want to test that theory.
Dimitri gives me an encouraging nod.
Here goes nothing.
“I do.” My voice is weak and thin.
“I know pronounce you husband and wife. Uh …” He trails off, shrugging. Poor priest. He just wants us to leave so badly.
Dimitri grabs my face and tries to kiss me, but I back up.
“Aren’t you going to ask me at least? It’s the respectable thing to do.”
“Miss Manners,” he says with a smile. “All right. May I kiss you?”
I’m not sure I can handle Dimitri kissing me. I’ve only been kissed once before back in high school, and it wasn’t anything memorable. I think it’s partly what drove me to never want to date.
Well, the real reason was the loss of my dad. I put myself deeper into books to not deal with his death, and I haven’t ever really left them.
“You may.” The words are out of me before I can stop them. Katya looks surprised. I surprised even myself.
Dimitri’s smile is cheeky as he leans down and presses his lips to mine. I pull away before it can deepen, my face burning. But within that one second, it was already better than my kiss from high school.
Within that one second, my entire life has now changed.
Dimitri looks a little disappointed, but he doesn’t push me. “Let’s get back home where it’s safe.”
“No party?” Katya asks, her voice dripping with sarcasm.
“Not this time. Not until I deal with Abram.”
Dimitri helps me get back into the car, being careful that my dress makes it back inside as well. He can be considerate.
When he wants to be.
None of us speak on the drive home. Katya is in the back, glaring at her brother, while I’m trying everything inside of me not to look at Dimitri. I don’t want to blush again .
I’m a married woman now. Surely, it can’t be legal, but that doesn’t matter. Dimitri has claimed me.
Now, it’s time to see if it will really keep me safe.
Once we get back to his house, Dimitri tells us he needs to go deal with Abram, and then he leaves, giving me a large smile as he goes. I can’t help it—I feel myself smiling back.
Katya looks at me more closely. “Are you smiling?”
“No.” I turn away from her so she can’t see the shame on my face.
She grabs my shoulders and makes me face her again. “You totally are! God, Evie, don’t fall for my brother’s charms. Ok? Trust me.”
“I won’t. I’ll just stay here long enough until he deals with Dima, and then … I guess get a divorce. Go back to my old life.”
“Oh, Evie. I hate to break it to you. You’re Dimitri’s now. You’re not going anywhere.”
Her words chill me right to the core.
Then she hugs me. “But at least we have each other.”
I try to find comfort in her words, but I only feel cold.
DIMITRI
“Why do I get the sense this won’t go well?” Maxim asks as he, Nik, and I arrive at Abram’s house. His leather cut with the Knights logo on the back makes him stand out against Nik and me in our suits. Nik manages to wear his suit very well. Bastard.
I like to be the handsomest among the group.
“Don’t worry,” I tell him. “Abram will calm down once I tell him I’m an officially married man now. He’ll have no other choice. He’s only trying to hurt me to get me to marry Tatiana. Now that I’m off the market, he’ll have to back down.” I knock on the door.
After a beat, Abram answers. “Dimitri.” His eyes slide to Maxim, and he huffs.
But then he looks at Nik, and his eyes widen. Even Abram knows not to mess with Nikolai Petrov.
“I brought back up this time,” I tell him. “So, listen. I just got married. So, marrying Tatiana is off the table, and you can back down. ”
Abram stiffens. “You got married?”
“Yes.”
“To whom?”
“Her name is Evie Anderson and she’s a whole lot better than your daughter. No offense.”
“Dimitri,” Nik warns.
“Sorry.” I say to Abram.
His face turns red. “But my daughter. You … you defiled her. You have to marry her.”
“Can’t. Already married. See the conundrum? So, Maxim and Nik are here to help get the message across. Back off, Abram. End this crusade now, and you won’t have to get hurt. Tatiana will find some other nice man to marry.”
“But you took her virginity! What man will want her now?”
“Plenty. Not every man wants a virgin.”
“High-ranking Bratva men want virgins. You know this.”
“Well, oh well. Not my problem. So, what do we say, Abram? We have a deal?”
He huffs, crossing his arms. “What deal?”
“You back down. No more potential war. And we all go about our merry ways.”
Abram looks between the other men and me before nodding. It’s barely there, but he does it. “Fine. No more war. I’ll drop the Tatiana issue.”
“Great. Have a wonderful day, Abram.”
He shuts the door.
I turn to the other men. “Well, that went well, didn’t it?”
Maxim just shakes his head as he walks away.
“What?”
Nik looks at me like I’m an idiot. “Dimitri, it’s a miracle you’ve gotten this far in life.”
“What?” I ask again. Personally, I think that went well. I avoided war, got a new bride in Evie, and didn’t have to bloody any of my nice suits.
I call this a win .
AbrAM
I won’t let Dimitri Ivanov win.
He thinks he can defile my daughter and then not face the consequences, but he has another thing coming for him.
Now, he’s right. He’s a married man now. I can’t force him to get a divorce. Dimitri’s too powerful for me to take on by myself. Case in point when I almost died in his house. He could have so easily killed me, but he didn’t.
That was foolish of him.
See, I can’t go after Dimitri.
But I can go after his wife. Evie, was it? If she’s dead, then Dimitri will be free to marry my Tatiana.
There. Problem solved.
EVIE
I change out of my wedding dress and back into the loungewear Katya gave me earlier. I can’t play dress up for Dimitri. I just can’t.
“Calm down,” Katya says as I pace around the living room.
“I need to go to my shift at the library. I don’t have a car. I’m not even sure I’m allowed to leave. What if I do and Dimitri forces me right back here?”
“I doubt he’ll care if you go to the library.”
“But what if Dima finds me there?”
She pauses then shrugs. “Then that he would care about. Listen, Evie. Don’t let him control you like he’s controlled me. We can go to the library together.”
“You’re sure?”
“Yes! I could get out of the house anyway.”
She opens the front door, and for a moment, I think I’ve tasted freedom again.
But then we see the dead body on the front porch. It’s a young woman, brown hair, white, petite. Only in a bra and underwear. She looks an awful lot like me .
“Oh my god!” Katya screams, backing away.
I go completely still. I know exactly who killed this woman. Dima.
Then I see a piece of paper attached to the girl’s bra. I reach for it.
“Don’t! Evie, be careful. Don’t get your fingerprints on her!”
I’m careful not to touch the girl as I grab the piece of paper and unfold it.
Written on it is one sentence: I’m coming back for you, and until I get you, I’m going to continue to kill every last girl who looks like you .
Dima has sent his message. His threat.
Dimitri forced me to marry him because he said it would protect me, but already that’s proving not true. My body tenses, and the note flutters from my hands.
Katya catches me before I can fall to the ground. “Evie?”
“It was a mistake,” I whisper. “It was all a mistake.”