Page 35 of Under Control

“Good girl,” he says.

Then lifts me off my feet, throws me over his shoulder, and carries me out into the street.

Chapter 12

Karine

“What are you doing?” I yell at him as he piles me into the back of a car.

The driver glances at us in the rearview mirror and rolls his eyes. Valentin snaps at him in Russian before rolling up the divider.

“I’m taking you to my house and marrying you. A priest is already on the way.”

“Wait, hold on. I didn’t mean I’d do it right now.”

“You want your mother to be protected? I want you to be my wife. I’m not waiting around.”

“But I can’t just leave Mama alone.”

“I’ll make sure she’s safe.” He pulls out his phone and makes a call. “Send Kirill and his men to the girl’s house. Make sure nobody bothers the mother. Yes, I’ll send the address.” He hangs up and looks at me as if that solves everything.

“This is insane. I can’t just marry you. I don’t… I don’t have a dress. Or a ring.”

He reaches into his jacket pocket and takes out a small velvet box. “This will fit.”

“You’ve been carrying around an engagement ring?” I stare at him, only just now realizing the depths of this man’s insanity.

“Put it on.”

I open the box and lean back into the seat with a groan.

Of course it’s gorgeous and beyond ostentatious.

A single, enormous diamond is surrounded by three white-gold circles. Smaller diamonds are set into the circle at slight angles, giving the ring a slightly turned look. It’s a beautiful combination of modern and classic.

“Where did you even get this?” I take it out and slide it down my ring finger.

Perfect fit. I shouldn’t be surprised.

“A jeweler friend of mine. He says it’s Art Deco and it’s a popular style these days. Are you pleased with it?”

“I can’t even begin to feel anything right now.”

“You will,malishka.”

I stare at the ring. This can’t actually be happening right now. But the car’s moving through the Philly streets and heading inexorably toward Old City and Valentin’s house.

“Dress,” I say, perking up, grasping at one last excuse to put this off. “I can’t get married without a wedding dress.”

My hopes immediately begin to fall at the look on his face.

“I have a dress for you at home,” he says as a matter of fact.

“God damn it, Valentin, are you out of your mind? You had a ring and a dress just waiting for me?”

His expression darkens. It scares the shit out of me and I recoil from him.

“Watch your language. You are going to be the wife of thePakhan. Certain things will be expected of you.”

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