Page 5 of All The Pretty Little Lies

Luca's protective instinct flares up, his body tensing even more as he steps closer to me. "My sister doesn't need anything from you," he retorts, his voice low and dangerous. “She’s not Petrov property for seven more days.”

“Six by my count.” Oscar's smirk only widens at Luca's reaction. "Relax, Rossi. I'm not here to cause trouble," he says, his tone mocking. "I just need a word with the future Mrs. Petrov."

I shoot Luca a quick glance, silently urging him to let me manage this. "What could you possibly want to talk to me about?" I ask, trying to feign confidence.

Oscar takes a step closer, his towering frame casting a shadow over me. "Just a little chat between future family members," he says smoothly, but there's an underlying edge to his words that sets off warning bells in my mind.

Without giving me a chance to respond, Zaire materializes beside Oscar, his face betraying no emotion. "Let's not create a commotion in the sacred halls of Saint Jude Academy," he murmurs, his voice as smooth and silky like the finest fabric. His piercing gaze briefly grazes over Luca and I, before settling on Oscar.

It's almost startling to realize just how alike the two brothers are in appearance - both tall and well-built, with sharp jawlines and piercing eyes. The only contrast is Zaire's heavily tattooed arms and his sleek, dark hair that falls just above his pierced ears.

Zaire's presence adds a layer of tension to the already charged atmosphere. He exudes a quiet confidence that draws attention, much like his brother Oscar, but there's a subtle difference in the way he carries himself - a sense of control that hints at the hidden depths beneath the surface.

Luca narrows his eyes at the Petrov brothers, his stance protective and wary. "Whatever you have to say to her, you can say in front of me," he demands, his voice sharp with suspicion.

Oscar's smirk falters for a split second before he regains his composure. "No need to get your briefs in a twist," he replies casually, tension lacing his tone.

Zaire speaks up, his voice smooth as silk but holding a steely edge. "We merely wanted to offer our congratulations on your engagement," he says, his eyes never leaving mine. “And formally introduce ourselves to our future cousin in law, considering she will be seeing a lot more of us until the wedding.”

"Thank you," I say, keeping my tone polite but guarded. “It’s kind of you to offer your congratulations.”

Oscar’s smile widens at my response, seemingly pleased with himself. “It’s the least we could do for the family,” he says, his words laced with an unspoken threat.

Zaire steps forward, reaching out to take my hand in a gesture that appears almost friendly. “We look forward to getting to know you better,” he says smoothly, his touch cool and firm. “After all, family is everything.”

I force a smile; their presence feels suffocating. “Of course,” I reply, trying to maintain an air of composure. I can sense Luca bristling beside me, his protective instincts on high alert. But I place a hand on his arm, silently signaling for him to remain calm. The last thing we need is to create a scene in the middle of the school hallway. "We appreciate the gesture," I say diplomatically, trying to navigate the delicate dance ofinteractions with the Petrov brothers. "I'm sure there will be plenty of opportunities for us to get to know each other better in the future."

Zaire nods once, his expression inscrutable. "Indeed," he replies simply before turning to walk away, Oscar falling into step beside him.

As they disappear into the throng of students, I let out a slow breath I didn’t realize I was holding. Luca turns to me, his eyes filled with concern. "Are you alright?" he asks quietly.

I offer him a small smile, though it doesn’t quite reach my eyes. "I will be," I say, though uncertainty gnaws at my insides.

Luca wraps an arm around my shoulders, guiding me towards our homeroom period. The only class we have together since he’s a year younger than me. After first period, I’ll be on my own until the end of the day. "We'll figure this out, Ves," he says softly, his voice a comforting presence amidst the chaos that threatens to engulf us. "We always do."

I lean into his side, drawing strength from his unwavering support. Despite the challenges that lay ahead, I know that as long as Luca is by my side, we can face whatever obstacles come our way, but with less than a week of freedom left, a reprieve seems impossible.

As we step into the classroom, the chatter of students fades into background noise. I take a seat, and the lesson begins almost immediately, but my thoughts drift back to Oscar hiding in our garden last night. The teacher's voice becomes a distant echo as my mind replays the image of Oscar's intense gaze in the moonlight.

His gaze had been unnerving, and I couldn't shake the feeling of being under scrutiny. It was as if he was trying to unravel the layers, I kept hidden, to uncover secrets I hadn't even whispered to the wind. But deep down, I know that the encounter with the Petrov brothers is just the beginning. Their sudden interest inour lives, in my life, raises questions that demand answers. And I can't shake off the feeling that there are dark secrets lurking beneath their polished exteriors.

The bell rings, signaling the end of the lesson, and I gather my things preparing to head to our next class. Once outside, I find Luca waiting for me in the hallway. But before we can move, my phone vibrates in my pocket. I retrieve it, only to find a text from an unknown number.

Soon you’ll be mine, Printsessa.

My heart skips a beat as I read the ominous message, the words sending a chill down my spine.

"Ves, what is it?" Luca's voice breaks through my racing thoughts, his eyes searching mine for answers.

I quickly show him the text, watching as his expression darkens in response. “Dmitri.”

VESPER

The remaininghours of the school day felt like trudging through waist-deep snow. Luca, always playing the role of my overprotective brother, stuck to my side between classes. His dark eyes constantly scanning the halls for any sign of danger, his presence almost suffocating me. I could see the tension in his jaw and the tight fists at his sides.

Finally, the final bell rang, signaling the end of the day. Dread formed a knot in my stomach as I headed from my last class, knowing that Luca would be waiting outside for me. As expected, when I stepped out of the classroom, he was there withan even deeper scowl on his face. Without a word, he grabbed my arm and marched me towards the exit.

As we weave through the crowded hallways, I feel Luca's grip on my arm tightening.

---