Page 52 of Dancing With Desire

They help me into the dress, making sure to cover the mirror so I can’t see. They tuck me into it expertly, tying ribbons and hooking things at the back until I’m cinched in slightly at the waist with my breasts pushed up to give the perfect look.

She turns to the assistant, speaking in Greek, and she then rushes out, returning seconds later with white pumps. I smile, glancing at the discarded heels she originally brought in. “It’s your choice,” she offers, “but if you’re planning on a later wedding, I think heels would be a mistake. You’ll want to wear something comfortable on your feet while pregnant, trust me.”

I nod, slipping my feet into the silk pumps. Then I turn to the mirror, and they remove the cover. I gasp at the sight of myself. I look beautiful. The material hugs me in all the right places, and even with a larger bump, I think it’ll look perfect. The silk pools at my feet, and I swish it slightly. “I feel like a princess,” I whisper, smiling.

“It was made for you,” Amara says proudly. I turn slightly to admire the button detailing at the back of the bodice. The lace runs down my arms, and the entire thing screams luxury. “It’s one of a kind,” she adds, as if she needs to convince me to buy it. She reaches up to pin the veil in place, pulling a few sections of my hair forward. “Imagine loose curls with some sections pinned up at the back.”

“I love it,” I whisper, still smiling at my reflection. “It’s the one.”

Amara gives a satisfied smile. “Let me grab my tape and I’ll take some measurements. It needs taking-in an inch or two at the back, but that won’t affect growing room. If you find it needs taking-out later on, just call me and we can sort that with our London store.”

She goes off to grab her tape measure, leaving me to stare at myself some more. Dmitry will love this dress, although I’m certain he’d marry me in a bin liner if I demanded it. Aftereverything, he’s making up for the past few weeks. I can see how hard he’s trying and how much he regrets what’s happened. He’s promising me forever, and we deserve it.

DMITRY

I arrive fashionably late,which is intentional. A lot of the families’ business is more about how you play the game, and I play it better than anyone, including my father. To them, I appear cool and calm, just like a leader should. And now they’ve had time to look over the figures, they’ll see how hard I have worked to bring them this.

As I enter the room, the men rise to their feet. The fact they’re still showing me such respect is a tell-tale sign they’re happy with my offering.

I take my place at the head of the table, sitting down and nodding for them to do the same. I click my fingers for the waiter to bring me a drink, which he does immediately. “I trust you’ve had a chance to look over the figures?”

“We have, and we all agree they’re impressive, Dmitry. It’s clear you’ve been working hard,” says Aleksandr.

“I appreciate it is difficult for all of you to accept my father is conspiring against us. But the families mean everything to me, and I have always strived to make London work for us. I can take us to much higher places, places my father could never reach because of his old ways. I’m sure it hasn’t escaped your observations that my father has been . . . lacking lately.”

I eye the room, taking in everyone’s reaction while looking for a weakness in their kinks, someone who is hungry for my offer. I find Matvey making eye contact with me. “Matvey? Don’t you agree? You know him well. Has he been open with you about his most recent dealings?”

He places his glass on the table and grips the arms of his chair. “Vladimir has been elusive since he ventured over to London,” he agrees.

Akim narrows his eyes, and I catch it. “Do you disagree?” I ask him.

“We shouldn’t be speaking like this when he is not here to defend himself.”

I arch a brow. “Do you think he would be honest if he’s already kept so much from you? My figures speak honesty. Where are his? We can speak freely in this room,” I add. “That’s how we work. It is how we have always worked. I could not involve my father in this meeting because I do not trust him, and without trust, how can we believe in him to do the right thing by us? I suspect Vivian has a lot to do with his downfall. She more than likely is after revenge for the death of her father,” I lie, “but if she has so much power over him already, we’re at a huge disadvantage.” I take a deep breath. “If we continue to let him lead, he will take us down with him. We have all invested so much into London, I refuse to lose it to a woman.”

“Is this revenge speaking?” questions Andrei.

“I understand why you would think that,” I say, nodding, “but if I was solely out for revenge, I would have ended them both the second I found out. Instead, I have bided my time. I have brought my concerns to you while making sure I have the ability to take over fully once they step away. You lose nothing if we go ahead with my plan. If you choose to back my father, you lose everything.”

Aleksandr holds up his hand. “We are not disputing what you have told us. You’re right, we have noticed Vladimir slipping and we have had several meetings trying to work out if you were somehow involved. You approaching us like this is unexpected but welcomed. The figures speak for themselves, and werecognise you are in a position to take over from your father. It is a natural progression, one which we are all in agreement with.”

“With Victoria by my side,” I add.

“Of course,” he says, holding up his glass. “To new beginnings,” he toasts, and the men follow suit, raising their glasses.

I give a stiff nod, also holding up my glass before taking a drink. The deal is done, and my father’s future has been decided. It gives me deep satisfaction knowing I have won. It’s everything I have ever wanted and more. With Victoria secure at my side, I can finally breathe a sigh of relief.

I pushopen the bedroom door to find mykrasotailluminated by the moonlight shining through the cracks in the curtains. I smile to myself, dropping onto the seat to remove my shoes. I loosen my tie, not taking my eyes from her sleeping form.

As I strip out of my clothes, I’m reminded of how far we have come. We’ve overcome problems most couples will never have to face. Her nightmares have lessened, and she seems much more relaxed, even in sleep.

I crawl into bed, fitting my body around hers. She automatically pushes back against me, and I bury my nose in the crook of her neck, inhaling deeply. Peace washes over me, and I relax as she begins to stir. She turns in my arms, stretching out and yawning before letting her eyes flutter open. She smiles when she sees me looking down at her. “Evening, Mr. Volkov.”

“I missed you,” I whisper. “How was your day?”

“Perfect,” she whispers back. “How did it go with the families?”

I place a gentle kiss to her mouth. “They have agreed.”

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