Page 32 of Cruel Russian Pakhan
“Vera, we’ll meet you downstairs,” Mariya said as she grabbed Ninel’s hand and quickly led her away.
Vera wore more makeup than usual, but it was elegant and natural, making her eyes stand out. The sides of her hair were pulled back, while the rest fell in soft curls over her shoulders, with a few curls framing her face.
Images from earlier scorched my brain, and I narrowed my eyes, trying to mask the effect she still had on me in that damn dress.
I shot a look at her hand to make sure she was wearing her wedding band, and she was.
“Vera.” I stepped closer, and she looked up at me with a blank expression.
“Tonight is about impressions. It’s our first time going out as a married couple. Are we going to have a problem? Are you going to try to run? Because if you make the wrong move tonight,” my eyes darkened, “it won’t end well for you.”
“In public, I’ll be your obedient little wife. That’s the role I’m playing in front of your family now, isn’t it?” Her voice was hollow. “But alone with you? It's not going to happen.”
She moved past me without waiting for a response. I clenched my fists at my sides, trying to collect myself before I followed.
Downstairs, Jaroslav had just arrived. His driver, Tomas, waited outside with the limousine.
My siblings chatted and laughed as we made our way outside and loaded into the vehicle. I sat on one side of Vera, while Ninel took the other. Pyotr passed around glasses of champagne, and I watched as Vera downed hers in one go before asking for another. I didn’t say anything. She was probably nervous, which was understandable, so I let it slide.
With two SUVs in front and two behind the limousine, we pulled out of the compound.
By the time we arrived, the party was already in full swing. The yard was packed with luxury cars and guards were posted at every turn. Marten and Avit led the way, followed by Pyotr, Ninel, and Mariya. Vera and I came next, my arm wrapped protectively around her waist. Jaroslav brought up the rear, because even though we were attending a party, we still needed to be ready just in case something went south.
Once we stepped inside, my brothers and I moved to greet the celebrant and the host, while the women stayed back. We exchanged pleasantries, then rejoined them.
As promised, Vera chatted and laughed with my siblings, playing the part to perfection. She smiled at everyone who approached, her charm effortless. I kept one arm locked around her waist, the other wrapped around a glass of bourbon. She leaned into me, her left hand resting lightly on my chest, wedding band on full display. Her right curled around my waist. Just like we needed them to see.
I made small talk with my brothers, though my focus wavered under her touch. The scent of her, the heat of her body pressed against mine, was a distraction I couldn't seem to shake.
Twenty minutes in, I glanced toward the entrance, and felt my blood run cold.
The Rykovs had arrived. But that wasn't the problem.
Artyom had strolled in, followed by a woman, the spitting image of Vera.
Chapter 12 - Katya
Lev stopped breathing beneath my hand.
My gaze snapped up to his face, confusion tightening in my chest. His eyes were locked on the entrance. I followed his line of sight, and gasped.
A woman had just walked into the room, and she looked exactly like me.
She was the same height, had the same curves, and the same light blonde hair, though hers was pulled into a high ponytail and she was wearing a short red dress. She was laughing with another woman by her side, who shared her facial features and figure, but had light brown waves cascading over her shoulders.
They weren’t alone.
A broad-shouldered man with dark brown hair and tattoos crawling up his neck led the way. Behind him were the women, and two more men followed, one with the same dark hair, the other unmistakably blonde.
A strange chill rippled through me, and my hands fell to my sides.
“What the hell?” Avit muttered, stunned.
“Everyone stay put. Not a word. Let Lev handle this,” Jaroslav ordered softly.
Lev’s hand tightened around my waist as the man at the front scanned the crowd. When his eyes fell in our direction, he stalked towards us, the others following close behind.
Marten and Pyotr moved protectively in front of Ninel and Mariya. I wanted to take a step back, as unease clawed upmy spine, but Lev's grip tightened, forcing me to stay by his side. There was something in the man’s expression that set every instinct I had on edge, and I shuddered. The last place I wanted to be was standing beside Lev when the confrontation began.
