My fake husband remains silent, so I speak calmly, almost like I’m not deterred by what just happened. “I figured that since Igor would have a lot of sugary cake today, I should add one more special birthday cake.”
“At his age, that’s too much,” Sergei says.
“He’s right.” Igor complies with distaste. “My wife wouldn’t approve of that much sugar.”
“That’s what makes mine special. It has a type of sugar that won’t hurt your health. Try it.” I smile. “And if you don’t like it, I’ll make it up to you.”
Igor nods, but the wrinkles don’t ease around his eyes. He seems like he wants to strangle me, as if I offended him in a previous life.
“My, Adrian. I didn’t know Lia could cook. She’s always too unwell; I thought she’d be a corpse by now.” Mikhail takes a sip of a transparent drink, watching me suspiciously.
Shit.
I don’t know why I feel like one of them will pull a mask from over my head and expose me for being a fake.
“She’s been doing better,” Adrian says in his usual calm tone.
“Obviously. Happy to have you with us.” Sergei’s watching me in an unnerving way. I’m glad I’m wearing gloves, because my hands are so sweaty, they would shine under the light.
“The pleasure is all mine, Pakhan.” I don’t know how the hell I manage to speak in a semi-normal tone.
Sergei motions at an empty chair beside Igor. “Sit, Adrian.”
I don’t miss that he only mentions Adrian’s name. My fake husband hesitates for a beat before he releases me and heads to the seat the boss designated for him. I know what this means, I need to go. But I don’t want to. Where will I go in the middle of all these people I don’t know?
However, I force my head to move in a small nod as I turn and leave. I want to think Adrian is watching my back, that Kolya and Yan are somewhere here and will come to my aid, but my legs are shaking as I head to the nearest balcony. I need fresh air and to go home to Jeremy. I’ll even be happy with Adrian’s distant spooning tonight.
“Lia!”
My feet come to a halt at the feminine voice calling my name. I want to pretend I didn’t hear her, but she calls again and I’m forced to turn around.
A beautiful blonde with flawless makeup waves me over to join her circle. Rai Sokolov.
Sergei’s grandniece and the only woman who can rival men in the brotherhood. She’s standing with Damien Orlov and Kirill Morozov. Both of them are leaders. Another man, Aleksander, Kirill’s closest guard, who’s basically in Kolya’s rank, stands with them, but a step back.
I walk to their circle with hesitant steps until I’m a few feet away. That’s when I notice Rai’s baby bump under her royal blue dress.
She kisses my cheeks and I return the gesture. “How have you been, Lia? It’s been a long time since I last saw you.”
“I’m fine, thank you.”
“She’s like a moon, this one.” Damien tilts his head to the side, watching me closely. “Tell me the truth. Is Adrian fattening you to offer you as a sacrifice to his demonic ancestors?”
I part my lips to speak, then close them, not knowing if it’s a joke or how to reply. Damien is good-looking, tall, broad, and with a furious gaze, but he’s marked in the document as reckless and unpredictable.
“Shut up, Damien,” Rai scolds him.
“I’m really curious.” He leans over, watching me as if I’m some mannequin in a store. “Why is he hiding you like you’re some fucked-up version of Sleeping Beauty? Does he do satanic rituals I need to know about?”
“Maybe she’s the one who does the rituals?” Kirill says slowly, readjusting his black-framed glasses. Unlike the old men, these two barely have an accent.
Kirill looks like an accountant, all suited up and with the glasses, but the document mentioned a few things about his suspicious background and that he would stop at nothing for his agenda.
“What is that supposed to mean?” I ask with my chin held high.
“I don’t know, Mrs. Volkov. Why don’t you tell me?”
“Why don’t you fuck off?” Rai says point-blank. “I just want Sasha around, not you.”
“Aleksander,” Kirill stresses, “is my guard, Rai. We come as a set. Get used to it.”
“I’m sure the only reason he’s with you is because you’re holding something over his head.” Rai pats Aleksander’s hand. “Don’t worry, Sasha. I will save you from this demon.”
Sasha—Aleksander—a guard who’s even prettier than Yan, lowers his head, awkwardly clearing his throat.
“How about me, Rai?” Damien takes her free hand in his and kisses the back of it. “When are you going to save me? All you have to do is divorce Kyle and then we can ride into the sunset—or the battlefield. Same result.”
She swiftly pulls her hand from his. “Only Kyle gets to touch me. Do it again and I will kick you in the balls.”
I expect Damien to get offended, but he grins. “Kinky. I love it.”
“Speaking of kinky.” Kirill faces me again. He hasn’t stopped watching me since I joined them. “Has Adrian picked up anything new lately?”
“He’ll fucking kill you if he hears you talking to his wife about kink.” Damien squeezes Kirill’s shoulder. “Rest in pieces, motherfucker.”
Rai opens her mouth, probably to come to my defense. Is she used to doing that? Was Lia a doormat who let anyone walk all over her?
But I’m not Lia. I’m Winter.
Lifting my chin, I face Kirill. “That question is distasteful, Kirill. You don’t see me asking you about your private affairs, because it’s simply none of my business. I believe what my husband and I do in the privacy of our home doesn’t concern you either.”
My reply has the exact opposite effect of what I intend. Kirill smirks as if he’s in the know about something.
“Who are you and what have you done to the mute Lia?” Damien watches me closely. “You’ve never spoken up when we’ve poked you.”
“It was out of respect, but if you show me none, why should I?”
“That’s my girl.” Rai interlinks her arm with mine. “Come on, let’s leave these assholes—aside from Sasha.”
I gladly follow her, but I feel Kirill’s gaze on me, even after we disappear to a quiet balcony. I release a breath into the breeze and Rai smiles.
“You did very well. I’m so proud of you, Lia.”
“Thank you.” I try not to feel inferior now that it’s just the two of us. It’s not only about her bombshell looks or her height—tall people suck—but also her character. I know Adrian considers her a worthy member of the brotherhood, or he wouldn’t have included her in the first pages of that document.
Maybe someone like her, strong, fearless, is who Adrian needs by his side.
Rai leans in, watching her surroundings before she whispers, “You didn’t follow up on what happened. I was worried.”
“W-what?” I stare at her with parted lips.
“You asked me to help you escape, and then I learn you returned to Adrian’s side as if nothing had happened. Do you know how confused I was?”