Page 22 of Wicked Knight 2

“Don’t worry about it. This isn’t a real wedding.” I smoothed out the dress and turned to face the mirror.

“It should’ve been me.” She wiped her cheek. “You look beautiful.”

“Thank you. For everything. For trying to help me.” I offered her a weak smile. “Lead the way.”

When we entered the library, my gaze immediately spotted Maxim’s form facing the fireplace. He had to be in pain from the recent surgery. He should be in bed, not here seeking revenge.

“You’re a vision.” Papa sat at the head of the long table. “Please sit.” He pointed at the seat next to him.

I sat down and kept my head down. If I looked at Maxim now, I would burst into tears and beg them to let me go. I didn’t want to give them the satisfaction of seeing me suffer. In the corner of my eye, Maxim moved away from the fireplace and took the seat across from me.

“Tore and Ivan will be your witnesses. Father Sergey is here to perform the ceremony.” Papa explained while the two men and the priest joined us at the table. “We shall start.”

The priest droned on about the significance of marriage. At some point, he asked if I wanted Maxim Belov as my lawfully wedded husband. In a blur of faces and inaudible voices, I said I do, then signed the paper Papa placed in front of me. It already had Maxim’s signature. My tears pelted on the two names as my pen scratched across the page.

“Take her to my room.” Maxim rose to his feet.

By the time I lifted my gaze to meet his, he was already on his way out.

I was his wife now.

Luca, I’m sorry.

CHAPTER8

He Sounds Violent

Donata

“Please don’t leave,” I called after Belinda.

After the wedding ceremony, Ivan had escorted me out of the library then handed me over to Belinda. She’d been standing outside the door, probably hoping for a miracle that would put a stop to Maxim’s crazy plan for revenge.

“Did he kiss you?” She stopped at the top of the stairs.

“No. The man can barely breathe.” I pointed at my nose.

“Don’t sleep with him.” She took my hands in hers. “I’m going out of my mind picturing him with you.”

“I don’t want that either.”

“He doesn’t trust me anymore. But you, he won’t see it coming. You can drug him.” Her gaze darted between the bed and me. “He loves me. I know he does. It’s this stupid revenge idea. He’s not himself. He’s obsessed with making you pay.”

“What exactly am I paying for?” I pulled her into the bedroom and shut the door.

At some point before the night was over, Maxim would show up to consummate our marriage. Like Belinda, I was also going out of my mind, imagining what that would be like. A part of me wanted to ask her if he was cruel in bed. But I was sure that would set her off. Even if our escape plan today had failed, Belinda was my only friend in his place.

“Ivan said I was supposed to pay for what my family did to him. But he didn’t say what that was.”

“I have to go.” She shrugged away from me, wiping her red, puffy eyes.

Adrenaline rushed through me at the idea that I was alone and out of options. I didn’t want to be with Maxim. Something about his presence was so unnerving. He made my fears turn to jittery energy. I didn’t know what to do with that. I wanted to hate him. Technically speaking, we were enemies, but I barely knew him. Now that I thought about it, I hadn’t even exchanged a single word with him. I couldn’t even muster the courage to look at him, to really see this person hellbent on seeing me suffer.

“Okay. I’m sorry.” No idea why I was apologizing to her.

“I’m sorry too.” She smiled; a sad gesture that made me hate Maxim a little more.

I had a feeling that after tonight, I would have a reason to loathe him for the rest of my life. Belinda walked away while I stood there numb and defeated. After a few beats, I jerked into action and slammed the door shut. When the image of my hand on his tattooed skin popped into my head, I latched the lock and stepped back.

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