Page 18 of Forbidden Vows

“Piss off,” I snap, bolting for the ballroom.

Glancing back, I see the shadow of a smile dancing across his lips. It’s going to be a long fucking night, and Anton is clearly enjoying this a little too much.

Chapter 5

Eileen

The worst part is I can’t drink these troubles away.

I play my part out of respect and love for my father. I smile and clink glasses, telling people I’m drinking mimosas and not plain orange juice in a champagne glass when asked. I laugh and trade jokes, pretending I’m happy to be here, supporting Ciara in her big moment. But halfway through the evening, and despite genuinely enjoying Laura’s company, in particular, I feel drained.

“The Bratva men can be complicated,” Laura says at one point as she casually describes her marriage to Andrei. “It was a bit of a culture shock for me, to be honest. There I was, this blonde Ivy League princess who spent most of her weekends at Daddy’s country club, saying yes to a man I’d only met a few times before. I used to pity the royals and their arranged weddings.”

“But you were always free to marry whoever you wanted,” I point out, nursing my juice, sip after sip as I let my gaze wander across the ballroom.

“Of course,” Laura says. “But I was financially dependent on my parents, and they really wanted this marriage to happen. I told myself I’d divorce the man after a year if I didn’t like it. That way, my dad would get his business deals, Andrei would get his pretty American bride, and everybody would be fine if I just slipped out of the picture, you know?”

“And you’ve been married for how long now?”

“Ten years,” she laughs. “As I was saying, there’s something about these Bratva men. Andrei actually told me the night we met that he was going to make me the happiest woman alive.”

I can’t help but chuckle softly. “I’m guessing by a decade later that he nailed it?”

“Oh, yeah. I can’t imagine my life without him. And let me tell you something else—Ciara’s lucky. We weren’t sure that Anton would ever get married. Any woman would be the most fortunate on earth to land that man. If Andrei is fierce and powerful, strong and determined, a protector and a provider through and through, as much as I adore my husband, I have to admit Anton is even more so.”

“Is he?” I mumble, watching him as he dances with Ciara beneath the crystal chandelier.

They’re the stars of the show. Their engagement has been announced, and they were met with cheers and applause, while I’ve been carrying a knot in my chest, trying to make it through the evening.

“Sometimes, I jokingly tell Andrei that if something should ever happen to him, I’d gladly marry his brother,” Laura blurts out with a laugh. “It’s just a way to tease him. I can’t threaten him with Anton anymore, though. He belongs to Ciara now.”

“I think Andrei knows he’s got one hell of a woman on his hands,” I reply with a warm smile, yet I can’t look away from Anton.

The black suit that he’s wearing fits him perfectly, drawing sharp, dramatic lines against his muscular frame. The red pocket square adds a touch of elegance to the man with a perfectly chiseled jawline and piercing gaze that keeps finding me wherever I try to hide in the crowd. And every time he looks at me, it’s as if time stops.

“You’ll have to excuse me, Laura, I need a breath of fresh air.”

I leave her by the champagne bar and snake my way through the crowd. A smile here, a nod there, a shake of the hand, and I manage to slip past my father before he turns his head and sees me. Outside on the terrace, the cold night awaits with a starry sky and a silent garden.

“Deep breath,” I whisper. “It’s almost over.”

Tears prick my eyes.

This is so unfair. The only man to ever make me feel beautiful and desired, and he’s marrying the one woman who can always find a way to insult me. Their wedding will be unbearable to watch. Two months later, and I still can’t get Anton out of my head, my body still responding to his mere presence. Even worse, I’m carrying his child.

“Not much of a party gal, eh?” His voice startles me.

“I didn’t hear you come out,” I gasp, quick to turn around and take a couple of steps back as I face him. “What are you doing out here?”

“Figured you could use some company.”

“You figured wrong. I came out here because I wanted to be alone. Your fiancée is waiting for you.”

Anton stares at me for what feels like forever. “Perhaps I should apologize.”

“Oh?”

“It wasn’t right. What I did that night.”

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