Page 12 of Arranged with Twins
“I should mention,” I say as we finish the main course, “I’d like to take Sienna to dinner tomorrow evening. Somewhere public, where we can be seen together. It’s important that we establish a regular pattern of romantic outings.”
“What a lovely idea.” Katherine beams, clearly relieved to return to topics she can control. “Where were you thinking?”
“Le Bernardin, perhaps. Or Daniel. Somewhere that will generate the right attention for our engagement.”
“Perfect. I’ll make sure the appropriate photographers know where to position themselves.” She pulls out her phone to make notes. “Sienna, you’ll need something spectacular to wear. I have several options from the spring collections that would be?—”
“Actually,” Sienna interrupts, her voice carrying a note of defiance, probably fueled by my support. “I’d prefer to choose my own outfit for once.”
The tension at the table is palpable, but I find it kind of amusing. Katherine’s smile becomes more fixed, Vincent looks uncomfortable, and I’m curious about how this small rebellion will play out. My allegiance is firmly with my fiancée, should she require me to step in, but I doubt she’d thank me for it.
“Of course, darling,” Katherine says carefully. “Though perhaps we could review the options together to ensure the overall aesthetic is appropriate for the venue.”
“I think Sienna has excellent taste,” I interject, earning another surprised look from my fiancée and ignoring my previous decision to remain quiet. “I trust her judgment completely.”
Katherine’s expression suggests she trusts no one’s judgment except her own, but she can hardly argue with my stated confidence in her daughter. Her stilted smile reveals as much as her sharp gesture to the waiter for another drink.
The conversation continues through dessert, covering who we must use for our wedding planning, venues, guest lists, andtimeline discussions. Most of the real decisions have clearly been made already, with Sienna and me serving as decorative elements in Katherine’s grand production. Sienna looks unhappy but resigned about that.
By the time we’re ready to leave, I’ve gathered enough information to confirm my suspicions about Vincent’s financial situation while successfully playing the role of the devoted fiancé. Sienna has performed her part as well, though I see the strain beginning to show around her eyes.
We exchange pleasantries and air kisses in the lobby, with promises to speak soon about dinner reservations and engagement photo shoots. The whole departure is as carefully orchestrated as our arrival, designed to present the image of a united, happy family to anyone who might be watching.
The ride back to Sienna’s building is quiet, both of us apparently drained by the morning’s performance. She stares out the window, lost in thought, while I consider what Ilya and I need to investigate next.
“Thank you,” she says suddenly, breaking the silence.
“For what?”
“For defending my dress, and the thing about Nadia designing my wedding gown. You didn’t have to do that.”
“I meant what I said. You looked beautiful, and supporting your friend’s work seems like the right thing to do.” I give her a small smile. “Besides, it’s your decision, not your mother’s.”
She studies my face as if trying to determine whether I’m being sincere before snorting. “You realize Mother will find a way to control that too, don’t you?”
“Perhaps, but battles have to start somewhere.” I infuse confidence into my voice. “I have faith in your ability to fight them on your own, but I’m here as back-up if you need me.”
She seems genuinely surprised and nods, as though she doesn’t know what to say. I’m convinced few people ever support her in her life, especially when it comes to her versus her parents.
The car pulls up to her building, and I walk her to the lobby entrance like a proper gentleman. As she heads toward the elevators, I return to the car with more questions than answers about the Cooper family’s situation.
“Back to the estate,” I tell the driver, already planning my next conversation with Ilya.
The drive gives me time to absorb the morning’s observations. Vincent’s financial troubles are clearly worse than he’s admitting, even to his own family, or at least his daughter. Katherine might have some indications, but her obsession with appearances is bordering on desperate. Poor Sienna is caught in the middle, intelligent enough to sense the undercurrents but lacking the full picture of what’s really at stake.
The Denisov estate sits on twenty acres in the Hamptons, far enough from the city to provide real privacy but close enough for convenient travel. The main house has been in my family for three generations, expanded and modernized over the years but retaining the classical proportions that speak to old money and established power.
Ilya is waiting in my study when I arrive, surrounded by the same financial documents we’d reviewed the night before plus several new folders that suggest he’s been busy while I wasplaying the devoted fiancé. “How did the brunch go?” he asks, settling into the chair across from my desk.
“Exactly as expected. Vincent deflected every financial question, Katherine focused on wedding planning, and Sienna looked like she wanted to escape through the nearest window.” I pour myself a scotch and offer him the same. “What did you find?”
“More connections between Vincent’s troubles and Adrian’s organization.” Ilya opens the first folder and spreads several documents across the desk. “The pattern is becoming clearer.”
I study the papers he’s laid out, recognizing bank routing numbers, transaction dates, and payment schedules that paint a picture of systematic financial pressure. “Adrian’s applying the same strategy he used when he left our organization three years ago.”
“Exactly. Target the weak points, siphon off loyal personnel, create dependencies, then squeeze until something breaks.” Ilya points to a series of highlighted entries. “He’s been methodically undermining Vincent’s operation for months by targeting key suppliers, security contractors, and even some of the longshoremen who handle Cooper shipping. All of them have received better offers from companies that trace back to Adrian’s network.”
The scope of the operation impresses me despite my personal feelings about Adrian’s betrayal. He’s been patient and thorough, building his position while Vincent remained unaware of the true scope of the threat. He has no idea that the man from whom he’s borrowing money is quietly planning to steal everything from the inside.
