Page 34 of Forgotten Vows
“Your husband?” I took a chance to look her up and down more slowly. Luka had to be twice her age, but I wouldn’t call her out on a lie just for that. These Mafia men never cared how young their brides were. In that regard, Luka was no different from the way my father had been.
Still, I wouldn’t let her fool me. I wasn’t welcome here all because I came from a family he didn’t exactly get along with. Luka Dubinin disliked my father and didn’t trust him, therefore, he’d dole out the same treatment on me and my son. I didn’t need to investigate that matter. It just was. These old-fashioned men were always so caught up in Mafia politics. Ever since my father disagreed with the direction Luka took the Dubinin Dynasty years ago, we’d been more like enemies than rivals within the realm of Bratva leadership.
“You know what? It doesn’t matter.” This woman was wasting her breath to convince me that I was wanted here. If Luka had ever been the kind of man to be more open-minded than otherPakhans, Ivan and I wouldn’t have worried about being accepted as a couple back when we were together.
No, that’s not the whole problem though, is it?
Ivan didn’t want me in the end. He went after Serena.
No matter what he said, I only had that proof from eight years ago to guide me.
“Don’t tell me what does and doesn’t matter in my house,” she replied.
“Mama?” Lev peered up at me, interjecting. He was so perceptive, clued in to when my temper was rising. “Miss Gabriella was kind and welcoming while you talked and…” He furrowed his brow when I shook my head.
“It doesn’t matter if you think we’re welcome guests or not. I’m well aware that I will be expected to stay put until Luka and Ivan have their answers.”
“You’ve got a lot of nerve,” Gabriella replied coolly, “showing up and acting like it’s a given that you should stay here at all. Like you are owed a chance to be in this house with us. No one knows where you came from and?—”
I huffed a loud laugh again. “No. Trust me. They do. They all know exactly where I came from.” My association with Konstantin Petrov would always be a stain on my identity, one I never asked for or had any control of. “Unlikeyou. I don’t know whereyoucame from to act high and mighty here, but I don’t have the patience for it.”
“I would watch it if I were you.” Gabriella narrowed her eyes more, looking ready to seethe and shout.
She could try that beady stare on someone else. It wouldn’t work on me, and I was way,waytoo fed up with bullshit after the day and night I’d survived. “Oh, yeah? And where did you come from, huh? What gives you the right to try to persuade me your ‘husband’ is welcoming me here? I’m more or less trapped here now.”
Gabriella only stared at me, upset and likely trying to figure out how to reply.
“Again.” I lifted my hand in a dismissive wave. “It doesn’t matter. You’re clearly new to all of this. You weren’t born in this family or another. Otherwise, you wouldn’t be so naïve to assume the Dubinin boss would ever be okay with a Petrov sleeping under his roof.” I couldn’t help another sarcastic huff. It was ludicrous to imagine Luka being happy to see me. To think that Ivan would be overjoyed with my presence again.
I hated how bitter I sounded, talking down to this new bride. But it was what it was. “Listen, things are a lot more complicated than you can realize.”
“No shit,” Gabriella retorted. She wasn’t docile, giving me a taste of my own medicine.
At her testy tone, I sighed and almost regretted being so defensive with her. But I just couldn’t help it. I was at my wit’s end. I was here for help. I was thrown off-kilter and in a mess from falling into bed so quickly with Ivan like that.
The bottom line was that I’d come here for Ivan’s protection and long overdue support. But that included Luka’s approval too.
“Follow me to your room,” Gabriella said curtly, turning and leading us out of the room.
I opened and closed my mouth, too exhausted to figure out what to say or if I should even say anything at all.
Lev took my hand, and I held it tight. Regardless of how tired I was, I would be up quite late, explaining things to him the best that I could. Or perhaps he’d have mercy on me and fall asleep quickly, too worn out from the seismic shifts in his life today.
Following Gabriella through the house, I realized that I was well and truly an enemy in disguise here. I was no Dubinin, but my son had their bloodline in him.
Everywhere I looked, I saw examples of the Dubinin wealth and power. All the finery and expensive décor. The crest of thefamily on decorations. All the guards who’d sworn loyalty to Luka and his top men.
I was surrounded by power and strength, a system of a family that I’d never fit into completely. As we were led further into the Dubinins’ main house, I knew that I was walking into a test. A test for Ivan, one where he would have to decide if he’d side with his family and loyalty to them to keep me, a Petrov, away, or if the old love we’d once shared would be enough to make him have a heart and provide for Lev.
Before we could reach this guest room where Gabriella was deluded to think Lev and I could be “welcome”, I had to be honest with myself and admit I was already tired from these politics and headaches.
It would never end.
Being here and knowing I couldn’t just get up and leave now, it seemed like the biggest headache of my life was only starting.
15
IVAN
