Page 8 of Twisted Pact

“I’m not abandoning anyone. I’m just trying to finish school.”

“School.” He spits the word like a curse. “What good is a degree when our family is destroyed? When your sister’s disgrace has left us vulnerable to every enemy we’ve ever made?”

“Education is the only way I’ll ever have options beyond this world.”

“This world is your birthright, Mila. Your responsibility. And whether you like it or not, you will fulfill that responsibility. Your mother left a void that someone must fill. Family dinners. Social obligations. Representing the Andreev name at functions like this one. Those duties now fall to you.”

I want to argue, to tell him I never asked for this, but the words stick in my throat because arguing won’t change anything. Papa made his decision the moment Mama walked out the door.

“I need more time.”

“Time is a luxury we don’t have.” His phone buzzes again, and he checks it with a frown. “I have business to attend to. Stay here. Be visible. Show people that the Andreev family is still strong.”

“You mean show them I’m available for the highest bidder.”

“I mean show them you understand loyalty and family obligation. Something your sister clearly never learned.” He pockets his phone and adds, “And for God’s sake, try to look less disheveled. People are noticing.”

He walks away, leaving me with my ruined dress and my shame.

I scan the ballroom for Alexei, but he’s gone. Coward, I tell myself. Only I’m not sure which of us I mean.

Maybe he left. Maybe he got what he wanted and moved on. The thought twists in my stomach, though I refuse to call it disappointment.

My eyes land on the happy couple instead. Dmitri and Katya move across the floor, locked into each other. His hand rests on her back. She leans in like she can’t get close enough. Smiles at him like he’s given her the world instead of trapping her in it.

Everyone knows their story. Katya was FSB. She infiltrated Dmitri’s organization to take him down. He caught her, caged her, and forced her to live a lie. Sounds like a nightmare.

But watching them now, it doesn’t look like a nightmare. It looks like love.

Maybe I’m naive. Maybe I’m seeing what I want to see. But the way he smiles at her when he thinks no one’s watching isn’t an act. That’s real.

The song ends, and Katya drifts into the crowd, straight toward me.

“Beautiful, isn’t it?”

Up close, she’s even more stunning than from across the room. Platinum blonde hair swept into an elegant twist. Ice-blue eyes. Bone structure that makes other women jealous.

“Your wedding is lovely,” I manage.

“Thank you. Though I have to admit, the best part is finally being able to stop planning it.” She glances toward where Dmitri stands with Alexei now. “Watching him tonight and seeing how happy he is makes everything we went through worth it.”

“How did you know? That it would be worth it?”

She eyes me for a moment, and I get the feeling she’s reading more than I intended to show. “I didn’t at first. But sometimes, you have to take a leap of faith and trust that the person you’re falling for will catch you.”

“And if they don’t?”

“Then at least you tried. At least you know.” She touches my arm gently. “I saw you talking to Alexei earlier. He’s a good man under all that aggression. Probably the most loyal person I know besides my husband.”

Heat creeps up my neck. “We were just talking.”

“Sure, you were.” Her smile says she doesn’t believe me for a second. “Just remember that the Kozlov brothers protect what’s theirs. Sometimes, that protection looks like control. But it comes from genuine care, even if they’re terrible at showing it.”

“I’m not his.” I pause. “I’m not anyone’s.”

“Not yet. But that look he gave you earlier?” She laughs and shakes her head. “I’ve seen that look. On my husband’s face, right before he decided I was worth fighting for.”

Before I can respond, Dmitri calls for his wife from across the room. She gives me one more knowing look before gliding away to join her husband.