Page 20 of Silent Ties

“Oh, fuck?—”

A group of tourists crowds into the coffee shop, saving Sergei from hearing.

“Get us information,” Gloria demands.

“That wasn’t the deal!” I agreed to the marriage. To just fucking with them. If I’m caught spying by the bratva I’m done for.

Gloria shakes her head, frowning. “You’re not that dumb.”

“The Zimin’s aren’t that dumb, either.” They already think Marissa planted me on purpose. I don’t blame them for not trusting me. “I want to talk to her.”

“Get us information.”

A barista shouts out a slew of orders, people jostling around us.

“I can’t!”

It doesn’t matter. Gloria’s grabbed a drink, her hips swaying as she passes Sergei, who stares in confusion at a teenager’s outfit.

I grab my macchiato, annoyed that I need the sugar for a laundry list of reasons.

“Here.” I pass the two bagels to the guards when we hop back into the car. There’s a box of tampons and chocolate in the backseat and the sight of it brings tears to my fucking eyes. Who knew I’d get emotional when a guard tries to be sweet?

The guards begin to speak Russian and I’m starting to realize the driver doesn’t know English very well. They’re both nervous about my offering.

“Seriously, it’s okay.” I poke my head in between the front seats. “There’s cream cheese.”

“This was not necessary,” Sergei says.

“Eat the damn bagel, Sergei.”

Surprise lights up his face when I say his name.

“It’s an order,” I add.

The driver, Pavel, jams the bagel into his mouth and pulls the car away from the curb. Sergei takes a tentative bite and that’s when I realize I’ve traded my best friend in the entire world for these two guys.

CHAPTER 6

Russet

In the month of being married to Maxim Zimin, I’ve spent more time in the bathroom than anywhere else in this lavish penthouse.

And not because I need the bathroom.

There’s no space for me here. Maxim insists I share the bed with him. There’s no spot for introverting, despite being here the majority of the time. The library and study are thoroughly claimed by Maxim, his books taking up the entire apartment.

Olga takes the rest of the house. She dusts and cleans. Cooks meals mainly consisting of vegetables because she can’t cook a carb to save her life. The kitchen is off-limits. I know because she makes passive-aggressive comments every time until I leave.

Never alone, but perpetually lonely.

This is my new way of life and the one time I have an event to prepare for I’m not sure I want to go.

“You can’t tell me anything else.” I sweep blush onto my cheek. The bathroom is the size of my old apartment and there’s a vanity with a seat. The lighting is fancy and the plumbing is all made out of gold. Max walks out of the closet,buttoning up his shirt. He sleeps naked so I’ve yet to see a pair of sweats or a T-shirt.

“There’s nothing to tell.” He fixes his cuff sleeves.

His parents decided to throw a party on our behalf. Not only are all of the Zimins invited, but so are the wider elite.