Page 33

V iktor’s hand is clasped tightly in mine when we enter the ballroom. True to his word, he hasn’t left my side. I have to remind myself not to gawk at the extravagant decor or the artwork lining the walls. “So all this art is up for auction?” I ask as he leads me toward the dance floor.

“Yes. All the proceeds go to a charity started by my mother. It’s a non-profit that helps house monster children who have been abandoned by their parents.”

My thoughts land on Annie. When she told me the story of her upbringing, my heart broke, and I gained a whole new level of admiration for the dragon shifter.

Her mother abandoned her when she was still a teen, so she was forced to navigate the world alone and live in hiding until she came to New York .

Viktor’s arm tightens around my waist, pulling me against his body and closing any space between us. He moves us around the dance floor with ease, his steps perfectly in time with the soft classical music.

One song bleeds into the next, and I’m lost to the gentle sway of our bodies and the steady beat of Viktor’s heart beneath my hand. “You’ve been quiet tonight. Are you not having fun?”

The evening has been a blur of scrumptious food, copious amounts of expensive champagne, and Viktor showing off his dance moves, which are impressive, to say the least.

Like Lily said, I do feel a little bit like a princess.

I smile up at him, stroking my fingers through the ends of his low ponytail. “I’m just taking it all in. If your father puts on this big event for charity every year, he can’t be all bad, right?”

Lips pursing, Viktor hums. “Mother is the reason for this event and any philanthropic acts my father does.” His eyes are fixed over my head, searching for something… or avoiding someone. “Their relationship has always confused me. How someone so kind and gentle could love someone so emotionless.”

“Maybe he’s different around her?” I shrug as the music ends, and Viktor leads me toward the bar.

He introduced me to his mother, Evelina, when we arrived, but she was swept away by some potential investors for the charity. She seemed sweet and kind from our brief interaction. The only glimpse I’ve gotten of his father is when he and Evelina delivered their speech during dinner.

Before we reach the bar, a slender arm wraps around my waist and steals my attention from Viktor .

“Maggie! You look simply radiant!” Vanessa braces her hands on my shoulders, smiling down at me.

My cheeks heat under her compliment. “Thank you. Someone with impeccable taste picked out my dress.”

She giggles, twining her arm through mine like we’re old friends. It really does feel like I’ve known her for years. There’s the same easy comfort that I get with her brother.

Is it a twin thing? Or simply their auras?

Both light and free, promising no judgement.

“Viki, can you grab some more champagne? Maggie and I are headed to the restrooms.”

“Oh,” I squeak. I don’t really have to pee, but I did drink a lot of champagne.

Viktor’s gaze meets mine, darkening as his sister tugs me in the opposite direction.

I’ll be fine , I mouth. He acts like his father talking to me would be the worst thing in the world. Surely, Mr. Bielski can’t be that bad, right?

“Love looks good on you, Maggie,” Vanessa says, pushing through the double doors that lead out of the banquet room and to a quiet hallway.

Love? Is that what this is? My heart quickens at the thought, nearly skipping a beat.

It should be scary, letting someone into my heart again after losing Roman.

But with Viktor, I feel calm and safe for the first time in a long time.

Like maybe the future is brighter than I’d ever imagined.

And maybe tonight is the perfect opportunity to tell him.

“It feels good, too,” I respond, admitting my feelings out loud .

“He might be my brother, so I’m a little biased,” she says, holding the bathroom door open for me. “But there aren’t many men, monster or not, out there like Viktor.”

My chest swells, and I smile. “I’m starting to realize he’s quite a catch. And having fresh baked goods in the house all the time is a real perk.” I wink.

Vanessa’s giggle fills the air, and we part ways inside the bathroom, which is just as fancy as the rest of this place. There’s even a luxurious couch in the lounge area by the doors.

Once I take care of business, I wash my hands and reapply my lip gloss while I wait for Vanessa.

One minute turns into two. Did I miss her? What if she’s waiting outside for me?

Stepping out of the bathroom, my head swivels from left to right in search of the tall, willowy vampire, but she’s nowhere to be found.

“So you’re the woman my son is infatuated with,” a gruff voice rumbles from behind me.

Whipping around, a broad figure emerges from the shadows, and I find myself alone in a secluded hallway with Viktor’s father. Who is currently glaring down his nose at me.

I’ve never been the type to shrink away when someone is rude to me, but this giant vampire is truly intimidating.

He’s the same height as Viktor, but nearly twice as broad.

The seams of his tuxedo strain under the thick muscle lining his body.

His piercing dark-red eyes skim my body, one lip pulling into a sneer.

“Just know you’re a passing fancy, my dear.

Viktor belongs in the city with his own kind, not playing house with some country bumpkin. ”

My mouth drops open, but I’m too dumbstruck to form words.

He takes a step closer, until he’s in my space.

“Don’t get attached. Come his birthday, he’ll be where he belongs, and there’s not a thing you can do about it.

So save yourself the heartbreak, little girl, and walk away now.

It’ll only hurt worse for you and your daughter the longer you string this along. ”

That’s it. I can’t hold my tongue anymore.

Leaning close, I let the venom filling my veins drip into my voice.

“Listen, Mr. Bielski. I don’t know why you hate me, considering we’ve just met, but Viktor is a grown adult capable of making his own choices.

And beyond that, he’s your son, for fuck’s sake!

Your child. Not some pawn you can move around on your chessboard or some robot you can control.

Can’t you see how miserable he’d be if you forced him into the life you’ve chosen for him?

He’s good at what he does and, more importantly, he loves it.

And… and I love him ! So, no, I won’t walk away, and I sure as shit won’t stand by while you take that joy away from him! ”

My chest heaves and, honestly, I can’t believe all those words flew out of my mouth as this intimidating vampire glares down at me.

Dark eyes sear into mine with a rage that’s brighter than a thousand suns.

His jaw tightens, the muscle jumping under his pale skin.

Oh, shit . Maybe I should have just walked away.

“Maggie.” Viktor’s voice comes from behind his father. “What’s going on? What did he say to you?” Pushing past his father, my vampire comes to stand in front of me. His head whips over his shoulder, red eyes narrowed on the older vampire. “What did you say to her? ”

“Nothing you didn’t already know, Viktor. She’s not your future. She’s not important.”

A growl vibrates Viktor’s whole body. “Yes, she is. Maggie and her daughter are my future. They’re the most important things in my life. Verbally berating the woman I love is beneath you, Father. You can belittle me all you want, but not her. Never her.”

Stepping up behind Viktor, I wrap an arm around his waist in a silent show of solidarity.

“You’re so stuck in the past, Father. So stuck on the idea that men are expected to work certain jobs.

And that we’re expected to breed with our own kind.

Open your eyes, old man. Time’s have changed.

I don’t care if you cut me off and disown me; I will not be coming to work for you, and I will not be leaving Maggie. ”

“Kasmir Bielski!” Every head in the deserted hallway turns to Viktor’s mother. “I’ve had enough of this! He is our son , the only one you have.” Stepping up to the big vampire, she jabs a finger into his chest. “Viktor is right, my love. It’s his life, and it’s time you butt out!”

“Evie—”

“No! Not this time, Kas. Let them be.” Turning toward me and Viktor, she says, “Maggie, it was lovely to meet you. I’m extremely sorry for my husband’s behavior.

Viktor, I love you, I’m proud of you, and I will call you tomorrow.

” With that, she grips the front of her husband’s tuxedo jacket and hauls him away.

Viktor faces me, a small smirk on his lips. “I didn’t think she had it in her,” he says before cupping my face between his hands. “Are you okay?” he whispers, leaning his forehead against mine.

“Yeah. You love me?” I somehow manage to croak, because this whole confrontation is surreal. My fingers tingle from the adrenaline still rushing through my veins when I curl them around Viktor’s wrists.

He chuckles, the deep sound soothing my frazzled nerves. “Yeah, country girl. I’ve loved you since the moment I first saw you. Since you first opened that cherry-red door and compared me to Mary Poppins.”

I can’t help but giggle at the memory.

“And where the fuck is Ness?”

Heels click on the tile behind us. “I’m so sorry, Viki. A client caught me outside of the bathroom, and I got sidetracked. Maggie, I’m so sorry. I had eyes on you, then I blinked, and Dad was there. Are you okay?”

I nod, swallowing down the emotion from Viktor proclaiming his love for me. “Yeah, nothing I couldn’t handle.” My head swings back to Viktor’s, our eyes locking.

“I heard what you said, you know? You love me, too.” His hand slides up the back of my neck, anchoring me to him.

“Well, things are under control, so I’m just gonna…”

But Vanessa’s words fade away when Viktor’s lips land on mine, and he walks me backward until my back hits the wall. “Say it again.”