Page 62 of Debt to the Mafia King

Without thinking, I touched the necklace again. The diamond felt cool against my skin. I would never get used to this.

“How did you manage to get tickets so quickly?” I asked as I slipped my hand into the crook of Viktor’s arm.

“It’s Christmas, Leah. There are lots of balletperformances going on.” He began to lead me forward, and I followed close to him, leaning against his arm to steady myself on my heels.

“But none at home?”

He glanced at me. “They weren’t your favorites. Now let’s get inside before you catch your death.”

Five minutes later, I was sitting on one of the plush red velvet chairs in our box, and it felt like I couldn’t breathe. This was all like a dream. Something between Pretty Woman and a period drama.

And then, the music swelled, the lights went down, the curtain rose, and I forgot everything else.

I forgot that I was out of place here, and that my marriage wasn’t real. I lost myself in the beauty of the piece playing out in front of me and the warm, comforting feeling of Viktor’s hand holding mine.

Time stood still, but at the same time, it sped up, and before I knew it, the curtain went down and a weirdly loud silence swirled around me.

“You’re crying again?” Viktor turned me to face him, even as the people below us began to file out. Reaching up, he swiped his thumb under both my eyes. “Why are you crying, Leah? I didn’t bring you here to make you sad.”

I couldn’t answer around the lump that had formed in my throat. Clamping a hand over my mouth, I hiccuped and forced myself to smile.

“I’m not unhappy, Viktor,” I whispered in a broken voice. “I’m crying because I have never been so happy. I’m crying because that was magical and beautiful, and I have never witnessed anything like it before.” Another hiccup.

“I don’t think I’ve ever been so happy,” I repeated.

For several long seconds, he stared at me with an unreadable expression. “God, you are beautiful, Leah. Even with your mascara running down your cheeks, you are stunning. I sometimes wish I could get inside your mind.”

I frowned. What a weird thing to say.

Catching my look, he chuckled. “I just mean I wish I could see the world through your eyes. You look at things and see magic and beauty,”he shook his head. “I don’t see the world like you do. To me, it’s pain and darkness. Well, it was.” He leaned his forehead against mine and sighed happily. “I see beauty and magic in you, Leah. I always have. Now, can I get you home so we can start our marriage fresh?”

I searched his face. Looking for some hint that he was going to become cold, distant Viktor again, but there was nothing but softness in his eyes.

“Do you mean that?” I whispered.

“I’m never going to be a soft man, and I’m not used to compromise.”

I sent him a look that said I knew that, and he chuckled.

“But I’m going to try. I think we could make each other happy in the time we are together, at least.”

He said all the right things, but at the same time, he spoiled it by reminding me that this had an expiry date. But I couldn’t be mad at him for reminding me. I’d known what I was signing up for.

“I’d like that.” He held my hand tightly in his as he led me down to the street and toward our waiting car.

“I hope I can make you as happy as you’ve made me the last few days,” stepping back from the open car door, Viktor motioned for me to get in.

Heat hit me, my eardrums burst, and a white light seemed to light the night sky, blinding me.

“Leah.”

Dimly, I heard Viktor screaming my name, but it sounded like it was coming from far away.

Weird.

Blinking, I stared up at the night sky. Stars were twinkling between fast-moving clouds.

Which was even more weird, because hadn’t I just been getting into the car? So what was I doing on the sidewalk?