Page 140 of Silenced

“Then why did you say that?”

“No reason.”

Why don’t I believe him?

We arrive at a fancy hotel before I can pepper him with more questions. The entire building glitters like a candle factory as we alight from the limo beneath a canopy that I can tell was for this event only as it stretches along the driveway, diminishing the visibility of the reception.

Either that’s because he doesn’t want the police to see who gets out of their cars or enemies.

With Niko, it’s fifty-fifty.

When we’re in the lobby that’d make Catherine the Great sob with delight, all Imperial Russia antiques and expensive classical portraiture, a manager surges from out of nowhere, hands outstretched to take Nikolai’s.

Meanwhile, he’s babbling away in rapid Russian. Whether he’s trying to impress Niko or just kiss ass, I’m unsure.

As always, Niko makes a statue look emotive.

The manager takes us down a grand hallway where there’s a massive staircase. A part of me wonders if this hotel was a stately home transplanted from the motherland and rebuilt here because it’s totally unfitting for Miami, but who am I to judge?

We walk up the stairs and the manager bows in front of us before heading over to a man standing at a double-door entranceway.

Our names are called out for everyone to hear, and that’s when we pass through those doors and find ourselves in a massive ballroom.

There are over a thousand people here, minimum, and each of them has their eyes on us.

When we step inside, the chatter stops, and only the soft music from the orchestra plays in the background.

I’m not sure whether this is the most embarrassing moment of my life or the most empowering.

Either way, I’m glad Niko’s arm is supportively tucked around my back as he takes us toward the staircase that’ll lead into the ballroom itself.

Once we’re there, the crowd parts like magic and Nikolai guides us through the man-made passageway toward a seat that, I swear to God, is a freakin’ throne.

And he seats me at his side.

Then seats himself.

While everyone’s eyes are on me.

Then, there’s organized chaos in the procession of guests who approach us.

Dmitri is first, even though I saw him ninety minutes ago at the estate. He winks at me as he bows over my hand and kisses the back of it.

Nikolai growls, which makes Dmitri shoot me a quick grin before he fades away. Then, there’s a woman. She’s beautiful. All black hair and stunning green eyes. She’s younger than me by a few years, and she carries herself with a grace that I could only dream of emulating.

“Thank you for coming tonight, Maria,” Nikolai signs. “How’s Pavel?”

I’ve recently learned that Pavel is his third-in-command and he was shot before I found myself a part of this world.

God, how has it only been a month since I’ve known this man?

“He’s better,” Maria replies with a tight smile that doesn’t hit her eyes. “Much better. And he’s thankful for the Lamborghini.”

“No less than he deserves,” Niko signs.

Maria studies me, her gaze drifting over my dress and the pearls around my neck. I half-expect her to be a bitch and for her to shoot me a death stare like the hundreds of other women attending this gala, but if anything, I can sense… approval.

She leans over, presses a kiss to my cheek, and murmurs, “If you hurt him, I’ll kill you.”

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