Chapter 5 - Rhiannon
After Rhiannon and Adrian left to grab a few of her things from her apartment, Rhiannon found herself hiding in Adrian's bedroom for the first few days. The space felt foreign yet strangely comfortable, a stark contrast to how suffocated she'd felt when she was living at her father's estate. Still, it was nothing like the freedom she'd experienced while living on her own over the past few years. She couldn't help but hate both Adrian and her father for taking away that small peace she had found.
The plush bedding and stylish decor within Adrian's apartment screamed affluence, but Rhiannon's mind was a chaotic storm of emotions. Each time the door creaked open, her heart raced, and she held her breath, waiting for him to burst in unannounced—and even when he didn't, she couldn't relax.
The first night, she wrapped herself in a blanket, trying to find solace in the softness while reminding herself that this was all part of the plan. Thrust into this situation against her will, she refused to open herself up emotionally to any of it. Rhiannon held a blank facade, forcing herself to remain impassive. She wouldn't show Adrian or anyone else how deeply this was affecting her. She couldn't let them see her vulnerability.
Desperate to distract herself from the reality of her circumstances, Rhiannon filled her days with various activities. She browsed through the clothes in Adrian's closet and his drawers, searching for clues in between his things. And sometimes even stealing one of his expensive Italian button-downs to wear, though they looked like dresses on her, and she didn't get nearly enough satisfaction when she pulled a button or two and wrinkled them.
She had her own clothes, and her new fiancé had made sure to give her enough closet space to pack them away, but a small part of Rhiannon just wanted the opportunity to piss him off. She couldn't help but feel annoyed when it didn't work.
Not only that, but her husband-to-be was also a terrible roommate, hardly ever at home, though she wasn't sure why that even bothered her. In those quiet moments alone, she wrestled with a surge of emotions—her anger at her father for making this decision, her brothers for their insensitivity when she'd tried to ask them for help, and the escalating fear of what this new life would entail.
"A prisoner in a cage, even if it is one lined with silk," she muttered to herself, trying to maintain the tough exterior she'd built up over the years. There was no way she would show any sign of weakness, especially not to Adrian, who seemed to find amusement in her struggles.
When Adrian eventually did return home, Rhiannon would listen from her hiding spot, trying to gauge his mood before deciding it was safe to emerge. Unlike her father, he never showed even a hint of his temper, and that only unsettled her more. She could handle tempers; she'd been born Irish, she'd seen enough. The Russian's ice-cold gaze and demeanor only kept her on the edge the more she considered it.
It just didn't seem human.
She couldn't help but wonder what it took to make a person look at the world with such a cold detachment.
And when Rhiannon finally worked up the courage to step out, she would scrutinize his reactions to her presence. Besides the detachment, there was a careless ease to him that made her want to both punch him and lean into the warmth he exuded. She never expected to feel this pull toward someone so quickly, and yet, as much as she hated to admit it, there was something captivating about him.
As the wedding day drew closer, the anxiety in Rhiannon's chest only intensified. She employed every tactic she could think of to keep her mind clear—picturing her escape, mentally building up her defenses against the impending humiliation—and yet, the day loomed over her like a storm cloud.
Much to her surprise, Adrian didn't come into the room she was staying in during those initial days, leading Rhiannon to find a reluctant sense of trust in his absence. She hated to admit it, but the fact that he hadn't forced himself on her was a small favor on his part.
Each night she spent tucked away in his room, she found herself slowly relaxing. It didn't stop her from feeling fear and uncertainty, but she felt safe with the knowledge that he wasn't interested in her just yet. Though, whether he was waiting for the actual wedding or not, she wouldn't be able to tell.
Rhiannon had no idea what this marriage would bring, and the thought of being linked to the Nikolai family weighed heavily on her mind.
***
The night before her wedding, anxiety churned in her stomach like a wild beast. A tight knot formed in her chest every time she thought about standing at the altar, ready to say vows that would bind her to a man she barely knew. It wasn't as if she had much choice in the matter, but that knowledge didn't ease her tension.
As she paced the length of Adrian's spacious bedroom, biting her lip to keep her composure, everything hit her with full force, heavy and suffocating.
"It's just a piece of paper," she told herself, but deep down, she knew it was more than that; it was a bond that would tie her to the Nikolai family indefinitely, irrevocably.
Rhiannon gagged, rushing toward the ensuite bathroom as her lunch threatened to revolt.
"I'm fine," she chanted to herself afterward, pressing her forehead against the tiled floor to stave off the nausea threatening to overwhelm her. "And if anything happens, I'll just kill him," she tried to convince herself.
Something told her it wouldn't be that easy.
***
Then, the day of the wedding arrived, the morning shifting quickly into a blur of nerves and anxiety. Rhiannon stood before the mirror, adjusting the delicate details of her dress while trying to quell the circus of emotions spinning inside her. She took deep breaths, willing herself to project calm confidence, but the knot in her stomach refused to loosen. She wished her mother were there, even if she wasn't much of a mother to her at all. She just needed someone to talk to, someone to tell her she'd still be fine by the end of the day—but she only had herself.
"You can do this," she whispered to her reflection, forcing determination into her gaze. She'd done her makeup, a classic vintage look with red lips and smokey eyes, and the whole time she couldn't help but feel like she was just a child playing dress up. Marriage wasn't anything she'd ever thought of before. "It's just a ceremony. You'll survive."
An hour later, they approached the venue, and the weight of silence wrapped around her. The intimate gathering felt foreign, a stark contrast to the large celebrations she had always imagined for herself.
She could hear the soft murmurs of the assembled guests—Adrian's closest family members—all wearing expressions of curiosity and anticipation, but she felt utterly disconnected from it all.
Adrian walked beside her, his confident stride making her heart race for reasons she was still grappling with. As they reached the altar, she felt the eyes of the family upon her, heavy and judgmental. On her side, it was just her father and brothers—her mother hadn't shown up. Why didn't that surprise her? Meanwhile, Adrian's side had a few more people she'd never met before, and one man she was almost certain was his brother, the Pakhan.
Rhiannon didn't bother to think about it further, worried she'd vomit all over the fancy dress they'd procured for her.
The officiant began, and Rhiannon caught snippets of the words that seemed to blur together in a haze of panic.
"Do you, Rhiannon Callaghan, take Adrian Nikolai to be your lawfully wedded husband?"
She stiffened, the enormity of the moment crashing down on her. This was it—the moment that would change everything—her life, her identity, everything she had fought so hard for.
"I do," she replied, though the words felt hollow. She feared she had become nothing more than a bargaining chip in her father's eyes—a fucking broodmare. Bile rose in her throat. She knew it was coming; these sorts of arrangements didn't happen without an heir to secure it.
"And do you, Adrian Nikolai, take Rhiannon Callaghan to be your lawfully wedded wife?" the officiant intoned, snapping her out of her thoughts. Looking at him, Rhiannon was almost certain he was Bratva. Tattoos peeked out from beneath his collar, but the heavy Catholic cross he wore made her uncertain. Was her husband's family religious? Hers was, though she hardly ever attended church anymore. Would they expect that from her? She'd stopped believing long ago.
Not entirely sure why she gave a fuck, Rhiannon's gaze met Adrian's, and the ice chips in his could've frozen her solid. I should've fucking run when I had the chance , she thought, hysteria bubbling within her.
"I do," Adrian answered smoothly, his gaze never leaving hers.
Every person in attendance watched eagerly, the tension palpable in the air. The officiant announced, "You may kiss the bride," and Rhiannon's heart dropped. This was it, the final confirmation of her captivity.
Adrian stepped in close, and before she could register the closeness, his hands cupped her face. She impulsively recoiled slightly but quickly reminded herself that she had no choice in this arrangement. As he leaned in, her mind raced, replaying all her fears and anger, but there was also an undeniable heat radiating from him that sent a shiver down her spine.
When his lips met hers, a jolt of something unexpected flooded through her—an exhilaration that contradicted all that anger and confusion she felt. Rhiannon melted against him despite her resolve to resist, and for one fleeting moment, all her anxieties faded. It was intoxicating, shattering her carefully constructed barriers.
He pulled away, teasingly letting his lips linger just before retreating, and Rhiannon felt the tension begin to dissipate, replaced by something confusing and unsettling. "See? That wasn't so bad, was it?" Adrian teased, his breath whispering against her lips. Amusement danced in his eyes when she didn't respond.
Merciless, the man was utterly merciless—but why did her knees feel so weak all of a sudden?
Nerves, she decided, refusing to think it was anything else.
"Don't push your luck, Nikolai," she shot back, embarrassingly breathless as she attempted to mask the turmoil she felt inside. As they stepped back, the tension in her neck eased slightly as she let out the breath she hadn't realized she was holding.
Rhiannon's brothers approached, the familiar cycles of disdain and mockery resetting in her family dynamic. The ritualistic congratulations from the men made her anger burn once again. Their words and smiles were more predatory and filled with fake niceties.
"Well, look who finally scored!" one of the twins' tone dripped with sarcasm. "You might actually be useful now, Rhi. Who knew you could land a man with some influence?" He met Adrian's gaze with a sharp, shark-like grin. "You should look happier, considering you snagged something so far out of your league."
Rhiannon wasn't sure whether she should laugh or cry. On one hand, that was the closest thing to a compliment she'd ever heard from her brothers. On the other, they'd just labeled her exactly what she'd hated feeling all along—a bargaining chip in the form of a trophy wife.
Adrian's eyes gleamed as sharp as glaciers under his eyebrows as he glared at her brothers. "I could only be so lucky," he drawled, his arm stiffening around her waist.
"Don't be such a sourpuss," the other brother chuckled, clapping her on the back as if it were a joke among friends. "I doubt Rhiannon would argue with a brute like you. Must feel nice to finally contribute, little sister."
Rhiannon clenched her fists, feeling the anger seep deeper with every snide remark. "You don't even know what this entails," she snapped, her patience wearing thin. "You think this is some sort of fucking vacation?"
"I'm sure there'll be some fucking involved," Ash snorted, and when Rhiannon bared her teeth and stepped forward, they both took a step back. Though she was sure that had less to do with her and more to do with the deadly look on Adrian's face.
The thought stung all the same.
"Relax," Cian said, waving her off, clearly unfazed by her rising frustration. "Now you can escape all the trouble you've caused, Sis. You finally have a life ahead of you in the mafia. Well done. I'm sure you're proud."
The words echoed mockingly in her mind. Proud? The very idea was insane. How could she be proud that her father had practically sold her to get a deal with the Russians? Betrayal threatened to crush her. She fucking hated them.
Looking at them, Rhiannon said, her voice low and edged with bitterness. "I bet you're both really fucking glad to get rid of me, aren't you?"
"Don't act like you aren't just as happy," Ash replied, amusement all over his face. "You were always more trouble than you were worth."
Rhiannon's heart hardened at their dismissal, and she caught Adrian's gaze flickering with a mix of concern as he watched the exchange. It was almost funny that this made her think of him as some sort of ally. Funny and utterly ridiculous.
"You know, the only thing I care about is the business we're bringing in together," she continued, locking eyes with her brothers. "What with my marriage being an alliance. Father might have to look at getting a few new goons. I doubt you'd be able to handle everything without him holding your hand."
Adrian chuckled softly, breaking the tension. "I think it's safe to say that Rhiannon can handle much more than you realize. She's been underestimated for far too long."
"Hell, I could take you both down if I wanted," Rhiannon added in a half-joking manner, fighting for the upper hand despite the tremor in her voice.
Her brothers exchanged glances, dismissing her with a flick of their wrists. "Good luck with that," Ash retorted, a smile playing on his lips. "I heard about the incident at the docks. Doesn't seem any of your fancy training helped you there, little sister."
Rhiannon felt a burning anger at their casual disrespect. At the very least, some part of this day was supposed to be her moment, and instead, she was caught in their cruel game of manipulation, feeling more like a piece on a chessboard than a participant in her own life.
"Just remember that Rhiannon's also part of our lives now," Adrian stated, his tone shifting from playful to serious. "She'll be involved in the family business, and that comes with its own share of respect. You wouldn't want to offend us brutes , would you?"
Rhiannon's heart raced even as she contained a smile. The way Adrian stood up for her in front of her brothers was strangely comforting and ignited a flicker of hope amid her simmering frustration. Perhaps this alliance could be her stepping-stone after all if he truly meant what he said, even if her feelings about it remained conflicted.
"I'll be fine," she said, attempting to assert her independence between the men. "I'm not a child to be coddled."
"Prove it," Cian challenged, crossing his arms over his chest. "And remember, you're married now. You've got a whole new set of responsibilities." His eyes gleamed. "I'm sure Father has already told you he's expecting an heir out of this."
No, he hadn't, but Rhiannon had known that would've been somewhat the case. With determination coursing through her veins, Rhiannon steeled herself. There was no backing down now. They had successfully wed her off, but she would navigate this new life on her own terms.
"We should get going," Adrian rumbled, tugging Rhiannon away without another word to her brothers. "My family wants to meet you."
As the day wore on and the reality of her situation settled in, Rhiannon maintained her bravado while fighting the tempest brewing inside her. She would show them all—her family and Adrian—that she was worth so much more than they had ever given her credit for. This was not simply a transaction; it was a chance for her to emerge from the shadows of her family's expectations.
She just had to be smart about it.
With renewed resolve, Rhiannon stepped into her new life, determined to transform this alliance into something uniquely her own.