Page 1 of Till Death Saves Me

1

IVAN

Istride into the opulent office, my footsteps echoing on the marble floor. Alexander's ostentatious taste makes my skin crawl. Gold-framed paintings and crystal chandeliers scream new money, a stark contrast to the understated elegance I prefer.

Alexander rises from behind his mahogany desk, all fake smiles and sweaty palms. "Ivan, good to see you."

He's no don. He's a Black businessman that knows how to make himself invaluable and now he wants the kind of protection only the Sokolov's can offer. But he's scratched their backs long enough…

So I'm here now that his daughter is out of her teen years.

I nod curtly, not bothering with pleasantries. "Let's get this over with."

He gestures to the chair across from him. I remain standing.

Alexander clears his throat, shuffling papers. "Right, well, here's the contract. Everything we discussed is there."

I scan the document, my jaw clenching tighter with each clause. This farce of a marriage is nothing more than a business transaction, cementing our families' alliance. But it's necessary for the Bratva. That's what my Pakhan told me at least.

As I reach for the pen, memories of Virginia flood my mind. That first encounter five years ago, her high-pitched giggle grating on my nerves as she prattled on about some inane reality TV show. Then there was the time she spilled champagne all over my suit at a gala, too busy gossiping to watch where she was going.

Each subsequent meeting only reinforced my initial impression. Virginia Sullivan is vapid, careless, and completely unsuited for the life she's about to enter. She's been coddled her entire life, shielded from the harsh realities of our world.

I sign my name with a sharp flourish, sealing both our fates.

"Excellent," Alexander beams, reaching for the contract. "I know you'll take good care of my little girl."

I resist the urge to scoff. Virginia is hardly a child, though she certainly acts like one. At twenty-one, she should be far more mature and aware of her surroundings. Instead, she floats through life in a bubble of privilege, oblivious to the dangers that lurk just beyond her gilded cage.

"She'll be safe," I say, my tone clipped. It's the best I can promise. I have no intention of coddling her the way her father has.

Alexander's smile falters slightly. Good. He should be worried. Virginia is about to get a rude awakening.

"When can we expect the wedding?" he asks, trying to maintain his jovial facade.

"Two weeks," I reply. "My people will handle the arrangements."

Alexander nods, relief evident in his posture. Of course, he's happy to hand off the responsibility. It's clear he has no idea how to prepare his daughter for what's to come.

"Her birthday is on Friday," he says. "I take it you'll make an appearance."

I grunt in response. "I'll have to give her the ring at some point."

As I turn to leave, a framed photo on Alexander's desk catches my eye. It's Virginia, beaming at the camera, surrounded by shopping bags from high-end boutiques. The image only reinforces my disdain. She's an airhead, one that I now have to take care of.

I leave Alexander's office, my jaw clenched tight enough to crack teeth. The elevator ride down feels endless, each floor ticking by as I struggle to contain my mounting frustration. By the time I reach the lobby, I've composed myself enough to nod curtly at the receptionist before striding out into the crisp New York air.

Twenty minutes later, I'm standing in Nikolai's office, my report concise and to the point. "It's done. The contract is signed."

Nikolai leans back in his leather chair, icy blue eyes studying me. "Good. And your thoughts on the arrangement?"

I hesitate, choosing my words carefully. "It's... necessary."

A ghost of a smile flickers across Nikolai's face. "But not to your liking." I think he's only asking to see if I'll react the way his brother did.

Lev nearly burned down a building when he learned he was going to have to marry for the good of the family. And now he's so enamored with his wife it's impossible to get him away from her. Not that I don't like Aleks, but I don't plan on following him down the path.

"My personal feelings are irrelevant," I reply, falling back on the discipline that's been drilled into me since childhood.

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