Page 29 of Crimson Sin
Her loyalty, even in a marriage built on deception, sends heat coursing through my veins. The possessiveness that has been building all evening reaches dangerous levels as I watch her defend what we pretend to have.
Pavel's smile falters at her unwavering response, and I can see Naomi's mind working as she processes the veiled insults and implications. Her eyes dart between the younger men, reading their body language. As Pavel retreats with his associates, she turns to me with a concerned look.
“They were testing me,” she says quietly. “Trying to see if I'd crack under pressure or reveal something about our relationship.” She pauses, her gaze sharpening. “But why would they care about the legitimacy of our marriage unless there's something at stake beyond social acceptance?”
The question hits too close to home. She's beginning to understand that our marriage isn't just personal, it's a redistribution of power dynamics that affects everyone in this room.
“Status matters in these circles,” I deflect. “Weakness is opportunity.”
“And a wife who married for money rather than love would be a weakness,” she concludes, her voice thoughtful. “Because it would suggest you're desperate or making poor judgments.”
Her understanding of the power dynamics at play is both impressive and troubling. She's piecing together the truth faster than I anticipated. Before I can respond, we're interrupted by the approach of Viktor himself.
“Daniil,” he says warmly, as if we're loving cousins rather than enemies. “And the lovely Naomi. I've been hearing such interesting things about you both this evening.”
“Viktor,” I reply, my voice flat. “Still spreading your particular brand of charm, I see.”
“Merely catching up with old friends,” he says innocently. “You know how it is at these gatherings,brat. Everyone wants to share the latest news. Though I must admit, your marriage came as quite a surprise to everyone. So sudden and unexpected.”
Naomi looks between us quickly, reading the tension. “Love rarely follows predictable timelines,” Naomi replies, but I can hear the strain in her voice.
“Love,” Viktor repeats. “Yes, that must be it. Though some are wondering about the timing, given certain business pressures Daniil has been facing. Convenient how a respectable wife can change a man's image, isn't it?”
The accusation is barely veiled now. He's suggesting our marriage is a business arrangement, designed to make me appear more stable and trustworthy. Which, ironically, isn't far from the truth, though his motives for exposing it are purely malicious.
“I wouldn't know,” Naomi says coolly. “I married for love, not convenience.”
“Of course you did,” Viktor agrees, his tone dripping false sympathy. “Though I hope you won't be too disappointed when you discover that love isn't always enough in our world. Men like Daniil have such... complicated needs.”
The threat is unmistakable now. He's not just questioning our marriage. He's promising to destroy it. My vision begins to narrow, the room fading except for Viktor's smug face and the growing fury in my chest.
Naomi senses the danger, her grip on my arm tightening. “I think we should?—”
“Not yet,” Viktor interrupts. “I was hoping to have a longer conversation with my new cousin. Get to know her better. After all, if she's going to be part of our family, we should understand each other.”
“Understanding goes both ways,” Naomi replies, her voice gaining strength. “And from what I understand, family means protection and loyalty. I trust my husband to ensure I receive both.”
Viktor’s smile deepens, slow and deliberate, as his eyes sweep over Naomi in a way that makes my blood turn molten. He lifts his glass in a lazy toast, his gaze landing on her with open appreciation. “Protection and loyalty,” he says, his voice smooth, almost amused. “Lovely ideals. But it makes me wonder if you offered them to the right Zorin. If you’d asked around…” His eyes slide to mine briefly, then return to her, more possessive than polite. “You might’ve learned that not all strength comes in cold stares and sealed deals. Some of us know how to give a woman what she really needs.”
The air tightens. I feel it coil around my spine, sharp and electric. His meaning isn’t just clear, it’s obscene. He’s not only questioning our marriage, he’s making it perfectly obvious he’s imagined what it would be like if Naomi had chosen him instead. And now he’s daring me to react.
My vision narrows, the room vanishing around the edges until all I see is Viktor’s smug, hungry expression and the roaring fury building in my chest. My fists clench at my sides. I take a step forward. One clean hit is all it would take to wipe that smirk off his face.
Naomi’s hand clamps down on my arm before I can lift it. Her grip is firm and urgent, anchoring me to the present. “Daniil,” she says quietly, her voice calm but filled with tension.
Her words land like a shield between us, but the rage still pulses behind my ribs, demanding release. He’s not just baiting me. He wants me to break. And if Naomi hadn’t stepped in, if her touchhadn’t pulled me back from the edge, he might’ve gotten exactly what he wanted.
The rational part of my mind recognizes the danger of losing composure in this setting, surrounded by potential allies and enemies. But the primitive part demands immediate action. Viktor sees the change in my expression and takes a careful step back, but his smile remains triumphant. He's accomplished what he came to do. Provoke me into a response that will confirm every whisper he's spread tonight.
“We're leaving,” I announce, already signaling Lex with a subtle gesture. “Now.”
Naomi turns to me, startled by the abrupt change in plans. “But we?—”
“Now,” I repeat, my voice sharp enough that it silences any further questions.
She follows without argument, her trust in me absolute, despite everything she has witnessed. But I can see the questions in her eyes, the dawning realization that tonight was never about the business gathering I claimed it to be.
As we move toward the exit, I'm aware of every eye in the room following our departure. The conversations that follow will dissect every moment of the evening, analyzing what they witnessed and speculating about its meaning.
