Page 108 of Beautiful Cruelty

The one that could bring down Kirsan's entire trafficking operation.

What if we get caught? What if someone notices the switch?

Vadim's thumb strokes my palm as if sensing my rising panic. The small gesture grounds me, reminding me why we're really here. This is so much more than a heist.

This is about saving lives.

Still, my stomach churns as I think about the insane thing that we're about to do.

I focus on putting one foot in front of the other, trying to look like a blushing bride instead of a terrified thief. The replacement bible feels impossibly heavy against my thigh with each step. How did I end up here? Two weeks ago, I was just a caterer with a cheating fiancé. Now I'm about to help a pakhan steal a bible from a church.

The congregation rises as we approach the lectern, each one of them with a stony look on their face. I spot Olga's cold stare from the front pew, watching us like a hawk. My grip tightens on Vadim's hand. The Archbishop smiles benevolently, completely unaware that we're about to deceive him.

Please let this work. Please don't let us get caught.

My heart pounds like a drum as we take our places before the altar, and I'm terrified that someone in the audience will know what we're up to. We'll have to execute our plan perfectly or face consequences I don't even want to imagine.

The Archbishop gestures for us to place our hands on his bible. My palm settles over Vadim's larger one, and I feel the warmth of his skin through our light touch. The ancient leather binding feels cool beneath our fingers, so different from the fake one pressing against my thigh.

The Archbishop intones something in Russian and we begin to walk.

He leads us in a slow circle around the lectern, our joined hands never leaving the bible. The hem of my dress whispers against the marble floor with each careful step.

Movement catches my eye. Demyon and another of Vadim's men approach from the side, each carrying an ornate crown in their arms.

The golden bands glint menacingly in the colored light filtering through the stained glass.

Vadim's thumb rests on mine, a tiny gesture of reassurance. I focus on that point of contact, using it to ground myself as we complete another circuit. The fake bible seems to burn against my leg with each step as we finally both kneel before the lectern.

I force myself to keep breathing steadily as we take our final circle around the lectern. Behind us, the twin crowns rise high above our heads like executioners' blades ready to fall.

My neck prickles at the thought. One wrong move, one misstep in our carefully choreographed plan is all it takes.

The heavy doors suddenly swing open and slam against the walls, the sound echoing through the cathedral.

My heart nearly stops as a tall woman in black strides down the aisle like a vengeful angel, her high heels somehow gliding soundlessly over the floor with deadly precision.

Sayanaa. It has to be.

My breath catches in my throat as I take in her appearance. Her jet-black hair flows behind her like a war banner, a starkcontrast against her alabaster skin. But it's her eyes that freeze me in place—piercing blue like Arctic ice.

They stare at me with intensity.

And theyhate.

She moves with a fluid grace, each step precise and purposeful in sharp stilettos that can easily double as weapons. Her black dress hugs every curve, and somehow makes her look more dangerous than seductive. Her chin is lifted with the absolute certainty of someone who's never heard the word "no" in her life.

The congregation parts before her, no one daring to meet her gaze or block her path.

An aura of raw power radiates from her presence. My skin prickles with goosebumps despite the suffocating warmth within the cathedral.

Behind her, men in dark suits fill the doorway, their hands suspiciously positioned beneath their jackets.

"You bastard!" Her voice rings out, rich and accented. "How dare you do this to me?"

The congregation erupts in shocked whispers. I feel Vadim tense beside me, his jaw clenching.

"I was promised to you!" Her eyes flash with fury. "My father and yours made an agreement. You belong to me!"

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