Page 64 of Dancing With Desire

“And he’s spent every minute since then glaring at me.” He smiles, placing a gentle kiss on the tip of my nose. “He’s trying to work out what I’m playing at, and he hates that he can’t cause a fuss right now and demand answers. If the families were to see him anything but cool, they’d think he wasn’t fit to be in charge.”

“They already know that,” I say, frowning.

“But he doesn’t know that they know, and he wouldn’t expect me to have told them everything.” He takes his Champagne glass and sips the bubbles. “After today, you’ll never have to worry about either of them again, so let’s enjoy our day.”

My feet acheas I drop into a nearby chair and slip off my heels, taking each foot separately to rub them. I groan out loud, closing my eyes. It’s all well and good dancing to all your favourite songs, but when you have to stay sober, it’s a whole different ball game. I feel every little ache and pain, and I’m cursing myself for not going with the flats.

“We should catch up.” My eyes shoot open at the sound of Vladimir’s voice. Dmitry has done an excellent job of keeping him away from me all day, and to be honest, I’d almost forgotten he was here. I scan the marquee, trying to pick out Dmitry or Marshall, but I can’t see them. In fact, I can’t see hardly anyone I recognise that I could call to. “Don’t worry, they’re all very busy.”

I stand, not bothering to put my heels on, but before I can step away, he grabs my wrist. “It’s customary for the bride to dance with her father-in-law.” And he hauls me against him.

I’m almost frozen in fear as he stares down at me with his cold, evil eyes. It takes me back to being in that room, and I shudder. “Let me go,” I whisper, staring into his eyes, trying to convey I’m not scared even though deep down I am terrified.

“There will always be a time,” he whispers, swaying gently to the music, “when he won’t be there to watch over you.”

“Can’t you see?” I hiss. “We won. I won. I have him now, and you need to give up this stupid vendetta.”

“Ty glupaya suka.”

“Stupid bitch, right?” I repeat, smirking and feeling smug that I brushed up on some of my Russian. “I think we both know I’m not as stupid as you first thought.”

He steps back. “We’ll speak soon,” he says with a smile and then walks away. I frown, staring after him, right as Dmitry rushes towards me, concern playing on his face.

“What happened?”

I shake my head and force a smile. “Nothing.”

“I shouldn’t have gotten distracted,” he mutters. “I assumed Marshall was here.”

I place a hand over his chest. “Dmitry, I’m fine. Please stop worrying.”

“It was stupid,” he mutters to himself. “I was lost in the happiness of the day, and I didn’t think he’d be foolish enough to approach you here.”

“I’m fine,” I repeat. “It was the same old crap where he’s trying to intimidate me. It didn’t work. In fact, I realised something—he’s not that scary.”

Dmitry smirks, placing a kiss on my forehead. “No?”

I shake my head. “He’s just a lonely old man who knows his time is up.” I pick up my bouquet from the table. “Now, if you’llexcuse me, I have to pee and then I promised I’d throw this in Phoebe’s direction.” I stand on my tiptoes and place a lingering kiss on his lips. “And then we need to slip away.”

He grins. “Now, that sounds like a plan.”

I make my way towards the exit, glancing back to see Marshall and Dmitry talking. He’s probably getting a telling-off for leaving me. I roll my eyes. Maybe one day he’ll see I’m not made of glass. I never was.

Instead of stopping at the bathroom, I head out. Spotting Vladimir heading towards the manor, I lift my dress slightly and pick up my speed. When I round the corner, he’s nowhere to be seen, so I head into the manor. A hand wraps around my mouth before I can reach for the lights, and I’m dragged backwards into the office.

“See,” he hisses, “you are a stupid bitch.” He releases my mouth and lifts me, slamming me onto the desk. I wince as pain radiates up my back. “You didn’t think I’d spot you dressed in fucking white and following me?”

I’m well aware this is how Vivian lay in Dmitry’s office to take her last breath, and I’m certain it’s not lost on him either as he stares down at me with hatred. “She deserved it,” I say, smirking. His eyes narrow. “Vivian,” I clarify. “I wasn’t sad when I saw her lying there, dripping in blood.”

“You think you can mock me when you’re lying here defenceless?”

I arch a brow and hold up my flowers. “Who said I was defenceless?”

He laughs, and it’s cold and empty. “What will you do, beat me to death with them?” He places his hand on my throat, and I momentarily panic. “You will be my gift to Dmitry. It’s only right he should find you in the exact position he left Vivian.”

“What was it about her that you were all so crazy about?” I manage to choke out.

He leans closer, exactly like I wanted him to. And as I slide the dagger from my bouquet, he sneers. “She was everything you are not.”

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