Page 10 of Cruel Romeo

“Oh, shit.” Lev squints at me, eyes filled with worry. “Why do you look so happy all of a sudden?”

Because I’ve got a way out.

Slowly, my lips curve into a smirk. I don’t smile often, but when I do, it’s because I smell victory.

The door creaks open. Mikhael strolls in like he owns the place. He’s grinning already, which never means anything good. A trait we share. Not for nothing, we’re cousins.

“She’s gone,” he announces, clearly trying—and failing—not to sound giddy. “Polina. Took her uncle’s car and peeled out of the parking lot like it wasFast & Fuckin’ Furious. Boris is having a meltdown. Wants us to go after her.”

Lev groans. “Christ. She could be halfway across the city by now.”

I keep my eyes on Sima’s ID for another second, then tuck it into my pocket and look up. Mikhael is still smiling. He seems to think that Polina’s daring escape was a gift to him.

He’s half-right. It was a gift—but not to him.

“Call Boris,” I say, voice calm. “Tell him the deal’s off. I’m not marrying his brat daughter.”

Lev’s jaw drops. “You’re serious?”

“She ran, didn’t she?” I glance at Mikhael, who’s now openly gloating. “Look. Even Mik agrees.”

“You still need a wife,” Lev protests. “You still need?—”

“And I’ll get it—but not from Sidorov.” I fix him with a pointed look. “Tell him I won’t be insulted. He offered a bride, and she fled the scene. We’re done. He’s lucky I don’t gut him for the disrespect.”

Mikhael laughs under his breath. “You’re in a good mood for a man who just got stood up at the altar.”

I step in close enough for his smile to die in his throat. “There will be a wedding,” I snarl, keeping my voice low and even. “Just not the one we planned.”

Mikhael goes quiet.

Lev straightens. “What are you talking about?”

I don’t answer right away. Instead, I look out the window toward the service hallway. Toward the path she took when she ran.Sima—or whatever name she’s hiding behind now.

If I’m right, she doesn’t want to be found.

Which is exactly why I’m going to find her.

“The wedding’s still happening,” I repeat. “We’re just making a few changes.”

“Such as?”

I let my smirk bare my teeth. “I’ve found a new bride.”

4

SIMA

I don’t stop running until I reach my office.

I slam the door shut behind me, twist the lock, and press my back to the wood. My lungs ache and my pulse is still a wild thing hammering in my throat.

It’s not until I see my reflection in the glass of the display case across the room—wide eyes, blotchy cheeks, hair falling loose around my face—that I realize how close I came.

He thought I looked familiar. The Gubarevpakhanthought I looked familiar.

I am so fucking screwed.