Page 5 of The Mistake

“You should have worn the shoes.”

He carried me throughthe main doors of the house. At first I thought it might be a hotel, but it wasn’t. People were already there, and a round of applause erupted.

“I see you’ve already carried the bride across the threshold, how traditional,” Ivan said. “You, my sweet, look stunning.”

Ive had placed me on the ground and now Ivan took my hands and smiled at me. He had a scary smile, like he was always plotting something. Was he waiting for the perfect opportunity to kill me? I had no way of knowing what he was thinking or feeling. All I knew was how scary he was.

“Do you mind?” Ivan asked, turning toward my husband.

“Not at all.”

I had no idea what Ive was supposed tonot mind, but then Ivan placed a hand at my back and we walked into the main reception. Ah, Cassie told me there would be a party after the wedding.

Staring into the room, I see MC and Bratva all in one place. Maybe my death was going to come faster than I thought.

Chapter Two

Ive

The Evil Savages MC and the Volkov Bratva didn’t mix well when they were sober. At a wedding, it was a recipe for disaster. I couldn’t help but wonder if this was Ivan’s plan all along, if he wanted a reason to cause a fight. We could certainly deal with having most of the Bratva in one place as well as the Evil Savages MC. I don’t understand why he would go through this elaborate ruse just to kill all of them.

“I expect you to take care of her.”

Ragewas standing right in front of me.

“She’s my wife. She will be protected.”Not that I answered to this shithead. I didn’t answer to anyone.

His very presence pissed me off. I wanted to take my gun out and shoot him in the face, but I kept in constant control. Now was not the time to start a war, not yet anyway.

“I’ll stay until I’m sure Lottie is safe andhappy. Then I’ll take my club and we’ll leave.” Rage held his hand out. “I know she’s not who you would have married, but she’s a good person. Kind. Loving.”

I hadto wonder who Rage was talking about. Charlotte hadn’t shown any kind of love or kindness. Admittedly, I’d not given her the chance to either.

“You can leave now,” I said.“You don’t have to worry about Charlotte’s safety. She is Bratva now, and let’s be honest, she was never MC to begin with.”

I saw the anger in Rage’s eyes. He was not very good at controlling his temper.

“She is still club.”

This did make me laugh. “Charlotte is club? Okay, well, if she was club, then why did no one come and fight for her?”

“I did.”

“You’re the only one. Her sister didn’t. None of the club did, and yet you expect me to believe if we were to fight, you’d try and save her.” I took a step closer to Rage. “We both know Charlotte means nothing to any of you. Your only interest in her is because Ivan Volkov is interested in her. Don’t play the caring game with me.”

None of them had taken careof her.I’dtaken care of her.

Stepping around Rage, Iwalk toward a garish sign hung over a chair announcing me as the groom. There was one for the bride as well. My bride was with Ivan. Dropping onto my seat, I stared across the dance floor. There were a couple of kids dancing to some of the music. The divide between Bratva and MC was clear to see. This had to be one of the biggest fuckups of a marriage ever.

“You’re not going to mingle with the in-laws?” Andrei asked, coming to sit down in the bride’s chair.

“That seat is taken.”

“Ivan is a little fondof your bride,” Andrei said. “I’m sure she doesn’t mind me taking a seat.”

“Don’t you have a wife to entertain?”

Andrei smirked. “I do, but I wanted to see how youwere doing.”