Page 52 of Devil's Bride

I turn around. My dad is getting out of a black SUV. My brother’s already out from another parked behind it.

Damien’s face lights up when his eyes meet mine. We both smile at each other. My Dad doesn’t smile at me though, he just walks into the foyer, looking at me as if he’s seeing a ghost.

“Hey, Dam.” I give my brother a tight hug. If there’s anyone I’ve really missed, it’s him.

He hugs me back, fingering the lower part of my hair. “Hey, Ri.” He pulls away and skims me from head to toe. “You look—”

“Good. That’s the word you mean to say, right?” My lips curve with a full smile.

“Surprisingly so,” he agrees with a nod. “Should I take it that your time with Alexei Vadim is not as bad as I worried it would be?”

I don’t try to hide anything. My father arranged the marriage, he should be fine with whatever outcome he gets. “He treats me well, brother. Better than I expected.”

My brother pats my head like he used to when we were kids. He hates Alexei just as much as I hated him until recently, but my brother will put his hatred aside for me. He’ll give up anything for my happiness, that is how much he loves me. “Then it’s good. I’m fine as long as you’re happy.”

Thank you, I mouth to Damien. My smile withers as I turn to face my father. “Mom told me you had business to take care of.”

“Your mother was right. What are you doing here?” he asks, as if he doesn’t trust that I’ll be on his side now that I’m married to his archenemy.

I furrow my brows at the unpleasant tone in his voice. “Why? Am I not allowed to visit my family anymore?”

“That is not what I meant, Irina.” He presses two fingers to the bridge of his nose. “I’m happy to see you, I just want to know if there’s a problem. Did Alexei ask you to deliver something?”

“No, he didn’t.” It’s a struggle not to roll my eyes. He’s not even asking how I’ve been coping or if I’m happy. All he cares about is business and whatever else he doesn’t want anyone to know about. “I’m just visiting. Do you have any problem with that?”

“This is your home, Irina. You’re always welcome here.” He sighs. “Come home whenever you need to. Call me if that bastard treats you badly or if anything happens. I’ll come to you.”

A part of me is relieved he at least feels concern for my safety. “Don’t worry, Alexei is not that type of man, he’ll never hurt me.” Before my father can come up with an argument, I turn to my mother. “What are you making?”

“Cinnamon rolls and pineapple juice made from scratch. Come, I’ll get you some.” I spare my father a glance before I follow my mother to the kitchen.

We spend the next two hours making the rest of the cinnamon rolls together and catching up with each other. When it’s time to go, I say goodbye to Damien in his room and go to my father’s study to let him know I’m leaving.

He glances at me from his oak desk when I enter and quickly buries the paper he’s holding under a stack of files.

I stand in front of his desk and keep my gaze on the stack of folders. “What was that?”

“Nothing you should concern yourself with.” He steeples his fingers in front of him. “Are you leaving already?”

“I have a lunch date with Arielle.” I hold the strap of my purse with two hands. “Are you hiding something from me?”

He squints. “Something like what?”

“Like why I had to marry Alexei. I’ve given it a lot of thought. Alexei didn’t initiate our marriage, which means you did.” I pause and exhale. “The question is why?”

My father leans back in his seat. “There are somethings you’re better off not knowing, Irina. This is one of them.”

“Dad!”

“You should leave, I’m busy.” Sitting up, he picks out a folder and starts to flip through the documents inside.

“Fine, but I want you to know I’ll find out whatever it is you’re hiding from me.” I turn and storm out.

Arielle waves at me from where she’s sitting when I get to the restaurant. Her smile is so broad I can see her teeth from the entrance.

I walk in and sit on the chair across from her. “Hey, girl.”

“Hey.” Her eyes widen and she covers her mouth to smoother a scream. “Jesus, Ri. Have you seen yourself? Girl, you’re glowing.”

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