Page 134 of Cruel Knots

Lilja winks at me and throws an arm around my shoulder. “Ready?”

“Yeah.”

“Remember to be on your guard,” she whispers in my ear. “Although, you don’t have to worry much. My brothers can’t bear to take their eyes off you, so you’ll be safe.”

Looking toward Damien, I’m immediately captured by his piercing blue eyes. His scars no longer affect me, allowing me to smile up at him.

I look over at Leon next. His flaming curls fall into his amber eyes, making him look like a vampire prince from my fantasies. My gaze is drawn to the tiny skull tattoo under his right eye as he winks at me.

Mikhail steps forward, drawing my attention. The long strands of his ash-blond hair are swept back and tied into a ponytail. Dark tattoos peek from the edge of his collar, not allowing anyone to forget who he really is. A silver skull earring dangles at his right ear.

“I can’t wait to dance with you,” he whispers, leaning down to kiss my cheek.

A warm shiver runs through me.

“Let’s go and greet our guests,” Damien says. “It’s going to be a long night for all of us.”

“Our stag of the party,” Mikhail mutters with a cough while the others chuckle.

Soon, I’m being swept away by the Volkov siblings.

A different kind of emotion surges through me as I walk with them. It’s impossible not to feel like I’m part of their tight-knit pack.

Music reaches my ears as we get closer to the ground floor. A moment later, I’m led into the vast entrance hall of the manor.

I gaze all around me, wondering if I’m still in Volkov Manor. The dark, mysterious place is transformed into a well-lit, welcoming party hall. A massive chandelier glitters overhead. Flowers dot every corner. Servers in red and black outfits flit amongst the crowd, carrying trays of champagne and hors d'oeuvres.

The hall is already filled with guests. From all the warnings Lilja gave me, I was expecting a sea of men. To my surprise, there are plenty of women in the crowd. Their luxurious gowns and jewels shimmer in the glow of the chandelier overhead.

Damien moves closer and wraps his arm around mine. “This is your last chance to bail,” he whispers in my ear. “You don’t have to be at my side.”

Tightening my hold on him, I pull myself closer to him.

“Remember your positions,” he mutters to Leon and Mikhail and sweeps me into the crowd.

I feel the weight of people’s gazes on me. Most struggle not to ogle at Damien but no one spares any effort on me. They stare at me without fear.

“So, she’s the one,” says an elderly man in his late seventies. “The Baldwin girl that you’ve started a war over.”

“Hello, Kosta,” Damien says. “Looks like you’re still fighting that cancer.”

The old man scoffs. “I’ll shoot myself before I let it kill me.”

Damien leads me away from the elderly man before he can say another word.

We spend the next hour walking around the room, greeting Damien’s guests. Most question his decision about starting a feud with Callum but he ignores them all, sweeping me away to talk to the next person.

I focus on the live band playing on a raised stage in the middle of the vast room. The music is tasteful, blending with the rising sounds of conversations happening all around us.

“Do you need a break?” Damien whispers in my ear.

“Yeah,” I say. “My feet are starting to hurt already.”

He leads me to a quieter corner and gestures toward an empty chair. I sit down gratefully and lean against the backrest.

Damien gestures at a passing valet.

The valet moves over to me and presents me with the tray. I choose a tartlet topped with swirls of thick orange cream. A bite fills my mouth with the taste of smoked salmon, sour cream, and a hint of parsley.

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