Page 139 of Silenced

“Only fitting for you…and,” he tacks on begrudgingly, “that dress.”

He might be an asshole, but he’s crazy good for my confidence.

The pearls are raw, not the smooth beads that I’m accustomed to. These are free-form. Craggy. But they gleam with a multitude of colors. Some are gray, others champagne, a few pink. Either way, each one is separated by a diamond.

I don’t even want to know what this necklace cost. I know it’s exquisite and he just told me as well as showed me that he thinksI’mmore beautiful than it is.

“The gala is more than simply about New Year’s, isn’t it?”

He hitches a disinterested shoulder. “It’s the most important event in the calendar year, you know that.”

I did. My father hadn’t really put much stock in Christmas, be it the American one or the Russian. Now, on New Year’s, he’d pull out all the stops. We’d feasted like kings and Mom had been stuck in the kitchen for days in the build-up to it because the holiday season for Russians lasts over a week.

“Yes, but it’s more than about New Year’s,” I press.

“What do you want me to say, Cassiopeia?”

“Why do you always call me that?”

“Because it’s your name.”

“Yes, but people call me Cassie.” I snicker. “Of course, you’renotpeople…”

His chuckle is raw and rough, unused. “You’re Cassiopeia. It’s the name of a queen—”

“A vain queen. When I found out what it meant, I was insulted.”

“It’s magnificent. Just like you.”

My lips twist into a shy smile. “I’d never have imagined it but you’re quite the charmer when you want to be, aren’t you?”

“Hardly,” he derides. “You’re right about tonight. People will see you on my arm and it will tell them what you are—”

“Yours?” I interrupt with an arched brow.

His expression isn’t blank for once. It’s laced with satisfaction. “Exactly.” I roll my eyes as he tugs on my necklace. “Dressed as befits a queen too.”

“You said I’d be in more danger once people knew I was yours,” I mutter, surprised that it’s not overly difficult to get those words out.

I’ve spent years fighting Harvey’s possessive grip on me, but Niko’s doesn’t feel like a cage.

Not only that but I’m different around him—I likemewhen I’m with Niko.

Thankfully unaware of my thoughts as he’s already too smug for his own good, he shrugs. “You saw how Pavlivshev reacted. As well as Tatiana.”

Speaking of…

“Will Pavlivshev’s daughter attend?”

A gleam appears in his eyes. “Very likely.”

“Great,” I huff.

“You should remember that you are mine, Cassiopeia.”

His statement has me studying him. “Is tonight a test?”

He shakes his head. “Not at all.”

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