Page 41 of Sweet Obsession

I shoved more food into my mouth, my jaw clenched as he dropped the next bombshell:

“Our first public appearance is tomorrow.”

I froze, fork halfway to my lips. “Tomorrow?”

“An annual gathering. The families allied to the Bratva will be there. Politicians. Enemies. Allies.”

“And I’m supposed to pretend I’m madly in love with you?”

“Isn’t that the purpose of this marriage?” His eyes glinted darkly, the calm of his voice belying the intensity behind it.

“You’ll perform well,” Misha said, his voice colder than I thought possible. “Make them believe you would kill for me, and I’ll believe it too.”

I stared at him, stunned. “You’re serious.”

“Always.”

He stood smoothly, his tall frame towering over me, casting a shadow across the table. A breathless silence stretched between us, broken only by the crackling of the fire. He leaned down, his presence overwhelming, dangerously close.

“Your performance tomorrow will determine the next twelve months of your life,” he murmured, voice a dangerous caress, a promise I couldn’t place.

I set the fork down with a clatter, my hands trembling slightly, but I refused to give in.

“Good. I’ve always wanted to be an actress.”

His lips brushed the edge of a smile, “Is that so,” he said quietly, his breath warm against my skin. His words were slow, deliberate, almost like a teasing threat. “Goodnight.”

And then, as quickly as he had come, he was gone, disappearing back into the depths of his dark kingdom.

About an hour after dinner, after Misha disappeared back into whatever dark corridors he ruled from, I found the private landline in my wing.

No cell phones yet. They were being “secured,” the guard had said.

Bullshit. They didn’t want me calling for help.

But Misha allowed one concession: A five-minute call to my sister.

The phone rang three times before Gabriela picked up.

“Luna?” Her voice was small and fragile.

Pain twisted through me. “I’m okay,” I said quickly. “Are you?”

There was a pause.

“Papa’s angry,” she whispered. “He says you embarrassed the family. He, he blamed me too.”

My chest clenched, and my mind scrambled for words.

“I’m sorry, Gabby. I should’ve taken you with me.”

“No. You couldn’t.”

“Did he...” I couldn’t finish the question.

“No,” she said quickly, her voice barely above a whisper. “Not... not yet. but... I don’t know how much longer I can keep him off me, Luna. He’s already started drinking again.”

I gripped the phone so hard my knuckles whitened.