Page 13 of Dark Prince

Her kindness catches me off guard, and I accept the handkerchief, dabbing gently at my eyes. “I just feel so overwhelmed,” I admit.

Elena watches me silently and patiently as I struggle to compose myself.

Slowly, the tears begin to subside, and Elena says gently, “I understand. But you'll get used to it.”

I nod, taking in her words.

“For now,” she continues, “just pay attention to what Luk says. He's the head of the family, and he knows what he's doing. And most importantly, never hide anything from him. In our world, secrets can be deadly. They can destroy trust, relationships, everything.”

“I understand,” I reply with a newfound determination. “No secrets.”

Elena nods in approval, her smile reassuring. “You're stronger than you know, Maura. And you have a whole family here to support you. Remember that.”

She looks at me thoughtfully, gauging my state of mind. “Do you want to go back inside? Or maybe,” she suggests, glancing around the serene garden, “you should spend a little time out here by yourself. It's quiet and peaceful. The garden always has a way of comforting me whenever I'm feeling lost.”

It’s a good suggestion. “That sounds nice,” I reply, feeling a sense of gratitude for her understanding.

Elena stands up, offering a final piece of support. “If you need anything, just find me,” she says with a warm smile.

“Thank you, Elena,” I say. “I really appreciate it.”

As she walks away, I take a deep breath, but because I still feel a bit shaky, I decide to remain in the garden for a while, hoping it will have the same calming effect on me that it has on Elena.

Before long, however, my mind turns to Luk.

The thought of seeing him again fills me with conflicting emotions. There's not only the undeniable and intense physical attraction that I hadn’t anticipated, but there’s also a hesitancy, a reluctance to give in to the lust so easily. Although I understand what’s expected of me as a wife, I don’t want him to view me as a pushover, an easy lay. I want him to respect me, too, as an individual.

My fear is that I’ll open up to him too soon, and he’ll take advantage of my feelings. That could lead to my being hurt. And part of me wonders if I do share my emotions, concerns, and fears about being his wife that he won’t be able to or even try to understand. He is deeply entrenched in a world of violence and power. How can I expect him to comprehend the complexities of my heart?

As I sit in the quiet of the garden, I realize that these are questions only time can answer.

Chapter 7

Luk

As I step into the somewhat rundown yet still luxurious apartment, Laurel greets me with her trademark blend of snark and false sweetness.

“Well, if it isn't Lukyan Ivanov gracing me with his presence? To what do I owe the pleasure? Or has the new bride already come to bore you?”

Laurel is a beautiful, Ivy League-educated princess who always knows just what to say to get under my skin. She’s a brat and an entitled one at that, sharpened by the fact that, due to her family's financial ruin, her ambition to marry me and secure her future has been thwarted.

Before I can respond, Lev, standing just behind me, chuckles to make his presence known. “Careful, Laurel. Your claws are showing,” he says, his voice laced with a cautionary edge.

Laurel's eyes flick over to Lev, and I can see her calculating, reassessing. Lev's reputation precedes him—his unpredictable nature and unmatched skills as an interrogator for the Bratva have made him a man you don't want to cross. She visibly reins in her attitude, offering a faint smile and waving her hand dismissively. “I'm just kidding, Lev. You don’t need to be so serious all the time,” she says, her tone smoothing over the earlier bite.

I watch the exchange silently, reminded of why my engagement to Laurel was doomed from the start. Her goal to marry into the Ivanov family for money and influence was clear, but it was the realization of her cunning nature that led me to end things.My marriage to Maura only sealed the deal.

“Let's get down to business and cut through the bullshit. We're not here for false pleasantries, and you damn well know it.”

Laurel nods, the mask of sophistication back in place, as she gestures for us to take a seat. Unable to resist another jab, she leans forward with a smirk. “So, how's blissful married life with your beautiful new bride? It must be quite the change from the fun you used to have with me.” She winks.

The comment hits a nerve, and I grit my teeth, feeling a surge of defensiveness wash over me. Maura is strong but innocent, and I fiercely want to—and will—protect her.

I lean in and lock eyes with Laurel. “Maura means more to me than you ever did. It's a shame you were never good enough for me even to consider marrying,” I retort sharply.

The dig takes Laurel by surprise, momentarily silencing her. I'm not here to trade barbs with her, however. The real reason for my visit is the assassination attempt, and I decide to bait her into revealing any knowledge she might have about the attempt on Maura's life.

Watching her closely for any telltale signs of deceit, I say, “I'm sure you heard about what occurred during our wedding. Do you have anything you want to share about that?”

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