Page 199 of The Harbinger

The two retreated, and the blonde huffed as she set down her brush.

I rose to my feet and smoothed out the floor-length, red lace strapless dress over my legs and waist before retrieving my heels from the closet.

Yuri remained stationed in the room, unwavering in his duties as a loyal soldier. He never asked for a break to eat or use the restroom, nor did he leave his post or fall asleep.

I offered him a small smile before taking a seat on the bench in the closet. As I readied myself for the evening’s event, the image of Yuri’s smirk upon seeing me naked lingered in my mind. Though I longed to rid myself of the memory, I pushed it aside and focused on fastening my four-inch heels.

“Do you understand English?”

He nodded.

“Have you ever been to this party before?”

He nodded again, and a slight irritation had my lips pinching together.

“Should I be worried?”

Truth be told, my stomach churned from the moment Sacha refused to overlook my dress choice, despite them all being the same color but different styles. Thoughts of betrayal raced through my mind, robbing me of any joy from my perfect hair and makeup.

Would there be questions about where Katya and Catherine were?

They were part of the ‘church’ for so long it’d be hard to miss that they weren’t there.

He shook his head, and I exhaled a sigh of relief.

“Good talk, Yuri.”

I stood as Sacha walked into the closet.

“Ty idesh’ s nami.”

Yuri nodded in agreement and rose from his seat, causing my stomach to lurch and my heart to race. As he did, Sacha turned his attention towards me. “You look stunning. I almost didn’t recognize you.”

My cheeks flushed with heat, and my throat grew itchy as his gaze swept over me from head to toe and back again, lingering on my breasts.

“Thank you.” I did the same glance over and squeezed my legs together. “You look pretty good yourself.”

Sacha was a sight to behold in his tuxedo. The black of his jacket clung to his form like a second skin, emphasizing his muscular physique. And those black pants, with their satin stripes running down the sides, drew the eye down to his polished dress shoes. He was the epitome of class and style, exuding confidence that bordered on arrogance.

But there was something else there, too. Darkness that lurked just beneath the surface, waiting to be unleashed. He was a man of power, a man who commanded respect and fear in equal measure. And it was clear that he didn’t suffer fools gladly.

His piercing gaze swept over my body as he stood before me, taking in every curve and line. It was like being under a microscope; I couldn’t help but feel exposed and vulnerable in his presence. But at the same time, there was something undeniably thrilling about it. Like standing on the edge of a cliff, knowing that one false step could send you tumbling down into the abyss.

Yes, Sacha was a dangerous man. But there was no denying he was also a man of incredible charisma and allure. A man who could make your heart race and your blood sing with just a glance.

A grin spread across my face, muscles in my cheeks twitching as he extended his elbow. I hooked my arm through his, relishing the feel of his firm grip guiding me down the stairs with Yuri in tow.

“Where’s the party at?” I asked, descending the last step, the lace of my dress gathered in one hand while the other clasped onto Sacha’s.

“In town, not too far from here.” He ushered me out the front door and into a luxurious, sleek black limousine waiting for us.

I raised an eyebrow. “A limo?” I scanned the car’s leather interior, taking in the plush seats and polished wood accents. Tuxedos and ball gowns, this was no low-budget affair for a simple announcement.

“It’s difficult to get ballroom dresses in my SUVs.”

I shuffled along the smooth leather bench seat, and he followed, taking the space beside me. “So, what should I be expecting here? ‘Cause, to be honest, I’m feeling pretty damn jittery right about now.”

I couldn’t stop my hands from sweating, and the blood-red gloves covering my elbows only worsened it. My pulse was like a thunderstorm in my ears, and a gnawing ache of foreboding pinched my chest.

---