13. Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Thirteen
Inessa
I t’s my wedding day.
It happened so fast, I feel like I blinked and missed it.
For the past few weeks, I’ve been focused on wedding planning with Mrs. Green. Viktor and I limit our touch so we don’t go too far before the wedding night. I know it’s getting tougher for him to wait. It’s challenging for me too but I’ve never had sex, so it’s easier for me to wait than it is for him.
He puts a lot of his focus into his work while I work on the wedding. It’s better this way. The questions Viktor was asking me were too scary.
I meant when I said that I love him. How I feel is real because it is. I never asked to feel this way for him but it just happened. None of that is a lie.
The only lie is who my father is exactly and that’s something Viktor hasn’t seemed to figure out.
Since my dad is low on the Bratva totem pole, we’ve been out of the public eye for some time. No police ever went after him. No photos were taken of us. Not like it is with higher ranking Bratva men and women.
Even if Viktor digs, it will be hard for him to find out who my dad is.
And who I am too.
I know it’s wrong to start a wedding off with a lie but everything else I’ve told Viktor is true. Who I am at my core is who I truly am. How I feel is real. He just doesn’t need to know my real name. It’s going to change anyway when I take his last name.
The day of the wedding is hectic with Mrs. Green running around and putting out orders to the extra staff Viktor hired for the day. Since I won’t be a maid any longer, it’s not my job to listen to Mrs. Green. I will be the lady of the house. That’s such a surreal and crazy thought.
The wedding is going to be a simple ceremony with me and Viktor, Mrs. Green, and Viktor’s sister in attendance. We both agreed it would be better to avoid any scandal with me being his maid and all.
Viktor said that we can tell more people afterwards. He’s at war right now and doesn’t want to put a target on my back with a huge ceremony.
Julia, Viktor’s sister, arrives early in the day.
I’m in awe of her classic beauty. She’s like an old Hollywood starlet. She could have stepped off a black and white film set with how effortlessly pretty she is.
“Inessa, my brother has told me about you.” Without asking, she gives me a hug.
It’s nice and comforting and makes me wish I had Elena with me on this day. But the last thing I can do is invite my best friend – Viktor’s ex-fiancé – to our wedding.
“You are so pretty,” she says when she pulls back. “I can see why my brother likes you.”
“How has France been? Viktor told me you were there.”
She makes a face that doesn’t detract from her beauty at all. “It’s nice. Beautiful. Romantic in a lot of ways. Gross in some others. Did you know that Paris mostly smells like cigarette smoke? It sort of takes the beauty out of it. But it’s been fun to explore a different city. The cousins I’ve been staying with are polite company. But I’ve missed home. And I wouldn’t want to miss my brother’s wedding.”
“Thank you for being here.”
“When it came to my brother’s previous wedding, he forbade me from joining. He was worried for my safety. He still is but he’s loosened up a little. Your influence, I’m guessing?”
My laugh is a little awkward and tight. “I can’t claim credit for Viktor’s moods. He’s a hard man to influence.”
Her laugh is like water and air, the complete opposite of mine. “That’s my brother for you. He’s a hard man to impress so the fact that you’ve captured his heart says a lot.”
“Did he tell you how we met?”
“That you were his maid? Yes. And I don’t judge. In fact, I think it’s romantic.” Her eyes turn dreamy like she’s entered into a different world. “A maid falling in love with the powerful businessman. It’s like a Cinderella story.”
“I guess it is.”
“I love romance books.” She links our arms together as we head into the living room. “Viktor thinks they’re pointless. He says he’ll arranged a marriage for me in the future. I’m only twenty so he’s fine if I wait till I’m a little older. He doesn’t think I should be reading all of these romance books. Says they’re going to fill my head with pointless thoughts and that I need to be more practical.” She huffs. Even that sounds classy. “And now, look at him. Marrying for love instead of politics. He’s a hypocrite but I love him.”
“Now you have some standing to convince him to let you marry someone for love.”
“Good point. I knew I would like you.”
I let myself ease into the couch next to Julia. “I would like a friend. It would be nice.”
“Then let’s be friends.” No hesitation on her part.
“So… Viktor has kept you in this house for years? That’s just what I’ve heard.”
“For my own protection. He’s not a monster. Not like what a lot of people think. He’s misunderstood. I stay in this house because I know it helps him that I’m safe. It took a lot of courage on his part to send me to France to get away from this city. He doesn’t want the war he’s in to hurt me.” She quirks an eyebrow. “Do you know about all of this?”
“I know he’s… the Russian mafia.”
She blows out a breath. “That’s good. That will help you. When Viktor told me he wasn’t marrying a Bratva woman, I was shocked. Not marrying for politics and connections? That didn’t sound like my brother. But I’m happy he’s marrying for love. Not many people get that.”
I have no choice but to avert my gaze. Julia’s face is so open and honest. I don’t deserve to be in this family with the lie I told. I feel like the real monster.
“Are you ok?” she asks. The pure empathy in her voice makes me like her even more and makes me hate myself even more.
“I’m ok. Just… nerves.”
“Today is a big day. You’re getting married in a couple of hours. Why don’t I help you get dressed? I always wanted a sister I could do these things with.”
“Thank you.” Julia’s kindness punches me in the gut. How am I going to survive this day?
I’ll just have to… because the other option is I tell Viktor who I really am and he kills me.
At this point, it’s self-preservation,
The wedding is held in a small chapel outside of the city. Viktor wanted to get away from the war he’s embroiled in.
The chapel itself is made of glass and the way the light hits it makes it shine, like something out of a fairytale.
When I get out of the car and see the chapel, I know Viktor is waiting inside to marry me. Julia is with him and Mrs. Green is with me.
Other than the priest inside, there’s no one else in attendance. I’m glad. My father made me a bit paranoid that something would happen in a large crowd.
This feels safer. No one can find us out here.
Mrs. Green holds my arm as we walk inside the chapel. I’m blown away by it’s beauty. When Mrs. Green had told me she found the perfect spot and I saw this place for the first time, I knew I wanted to get married here.
Viktor waits for me at the end of the aisle, looking incredibly handsome in his navy suit. Julia looks beautiful with her soft green dress on. She gives me a smile of encouragement.
I can do this.
Mrs. Green helps me walk down the aisle since my legs are a little shaky. It’s just nerves, I know.
But it’s also guilt. I’ll be marrying a man who doesn’t know the complete truth about me. I’m in too deep now. I can’t turn back.
I reach the end of the aisle and the priest asks, “Who gives this woman away?”
“I do,” Mrs. Green says. “As her… mother figure.” She places my hand in Viktor’s and takes a seat in the front row pew. It’s not creepy that the church is empty. I find it relaxing. No one will know who I am. No one will recognize me.
The priest opens his mouth to start the ceremony when the church doors open.
And in walks Erik Koslov and Dante Moretti. I know them both from Elena’s birthday party.
But the question is: do they know me?
I never actually spoke to them. None of that matters right now. What matters is that they’re making their way down the aisle.
Viktor shoves me and Julia behind him. “What are you two doing here? Leave.”
Dante raises his hands. “We’re not here to fight. Trust me. If we were, we would have killed you the second we walked through that door.”
“Not helping,” Erik mutters.
Both men are incredibly handsome. I remember being struck by that thought when I first saw them at Elena’s birthday party.
But I no longer think that. Not when they could kill me. Not when they could out me to Viktor and Viktor could kill me himself.
“What are you doing here?” Viktor growls. “And how did you find us?”
“There were rumors circulating that you were getting married,” Erik says. “I had to see it for myself.”
“But how did you find us here?”
“When I heard you were getting married, I’ll be honest, I put men on your house to keep an eye on you. They followed you here.”
Viktor tenses. “You’re fucking watching me?”
“We’re not here to fight.”
“Maybe we are,” Dante says with a smirk. He was always a bit more trouble than Erik was.
“Dante,” Erik snaps. “Viktor, we’re here to offer you a peace deal. When I heard you were getting married, I had to see it for myself. Now I know it’s true. I also heard that you’re marrying your maid and not a Bratva woman who could help you. I took that to mean you were following your heart. I wanted to offer you a peace treaty. Let’s put this war behind us. Then everyone can be safe.” He looks right at Julia as he says it.
“Don’t threaten my sister.”
“I won’t hurt her. You know me, Viktor. I don’t like to hurt women.”
“I don’t have the same qualms,” Dante says. “So if you don’t want us to blow up this church right now, it would be in your best interest to form another alliance with us.”
“I will not be threatened. I will not be forced into an alliance with men who fucked me over.”
Dante groans. “I married Nadia two years ago now. Can’t you get over it?”
I look at Viktor more closely as he responds. “No, I can’t. My pride won’t allow it.”
A pang of hurt hits me. Viktor is still hung up on Nadia and maybe Elena too. From my understanding, he never loved them but that doesn’t mean they’re still not with him. I want to be the only one in his heart.
What if I’m not?
“You didn’t even love Nadia,” Dante says. “I love her, Viktor. Can’t you accept that?”
“It’s not about love. It’s about the fact that you and Erik fucked me over when you stole Nadia out from under me. That I cannot allow.” He makes a show of looking around the church. “Is Aiden here? I know he’s working for you again. I’m sure he wants me dead too since I’m coming for him.”
“He’s waiting outside,” Erik admits. “We thought it would be better.”
“Like you’re one to talk,” Dante says. “You’re working with Finn now.”
“Guess we both have a Murphy brother on our side. I’m just glad mine is more crazy than yours.”
Dante huffs. “Finn is crazy, I’ll give you that. But he’s also unpredictable and you can never really trust him. I see that he’s not here. What does that say about your partnership with him that he’s not even at your own wedding?”
“Enough,” Erik says. “We didn’t come here to fight. Dante, stop provoking him. And Viktor, I am sorry that you got fucked over. It wasn’t fair and it was never my plan. I tried everything to make it not happen.”
“But it did,” Viktor growls.
“It did. And all I can be is sorry. But I am asking you to make a change. I am asking you to be allies again.”
For just a moment, I see Viktor waver, like he’s actually contemplating what Erik has to say.
But then Viktor’s hard exterior takes over. “You come here, on my wedding day, and threaten me back into an alliance? You had to know it would only piss me off more. I just wanted a nice day with my soon-to-be-wife and you two have just ruined it. I hope that makes you happy.”
“We came here to be guests,” Erik says.
“So you could keep an eye on me. See who my wife is. You don’t like not knowing what is happening in your territory. Well, I can tell you this, Erik. Dante. My fiancé was once my maid. Now we’re getting married. That’s all there is to it.”
Dante crosses his arms. “Why the maid?” His eyes flick to me. “She is pretty but I never expected you to fall for a maid. Not the uptight Viktor Smirnov who’s all about tradition.”
“Sometimes you have to break tradition. Now go. I have my guards waiting outside. They will kill you. So unless you want to die today, I suggest you go.”
“Funny,” Dante comments. “I didn’t see any guards outside? Did you, Erik?”
“None.”
I know Viktor didn’t bring many guards with him today. We both thought we would be safe and we didn’t want the distraction of a lot of guards.
But Viktor still brought two guards with us just in case.
“Did you kill my men?” Viktor asks in a dark tone.
“We didn’t kill them,” Erik says. “Just knocked them unconscious so we could come inside. We’re not here for more bloodshed. We’re here to offer you peace, Viktor.”
“On my wedding day?”
“We thought it would be the best place to get your attention,” Erik admits. “And I am sorry for that. We didn’t come here to ruin your day. We’ll just be guests.”
“No.”
I grab Viktor’s arm. “Maybe we should let them. The sooner we get married, the sooner we can leave.”
“That’s not how this works,” he says quietly to me even though the room is so echo-y given that there’s barely anyone inside. “They’ll want me to make a deal with them.”
“So make a deal with them. If it would save me and Julia, isn’t that worth it to you?” I pause. “Or does your pride mean more to you than your family does?”
Viktor gives me a sharp, surprised look. Even Julia looks taken aback by my question.
“I can’t make a deal with them, Inessa.”
“Inessa?” Erik says.
My blood instantly turns cold. I angle myself behind Viktor so Erik can’t get a good look at me.
“Why do you say my wife’s name?” Viktor snaps.
“It’s just… that’s a Russian name.”
“A lot of people have Russian names. What’s your point?”
“Nothing. It just sounded familiar. That’s all. But like you said, a lot of people have Russian names. Let me see your wife.”
“No.”
Erik leans to the side and his eyes catch mine. They furrow for a moment before he shakes his head.
“What?” Viktor snaps again.
“Just… déjá vu. Your wife looked familiar to me. Just for a moment.”
I can feel Viktor’s back tense. “Why would you think that?”
“Like I’ve seen her before. But I don’t recognize your wife, Viktor. Don’t worry. I’m not here to hurt her.”
Dante sighs and drops his head back dramatically. “Can we just get this show on the road?”
“Leave,” Viktor growls. “I will not have you two ruining my wedding day. I will not allow it. Now go. I will not make a deal with you.”
“Not even to save your sister’s life?” Dante asks. “Or your wife’s?”
“Just go. Give me one day of peace.”
Dante scoffs. “Funny. You haven’t been giving us any moment’s of peace since you’ve been going after all of our shipments.”
“Let’s go,” Erik says.
Dante does a double take at Erik. “What?”
“I’m not in the mood to get into a shootout today. We said our peace to Viktor. I’ll give you a few days to think on it. See this as an act of goodwill. We won’t hurt you today. And I don’t think you want to hurt me and Dante. Not on your wedding day, anyway. Now, Dante and I will be leaving. Think about our offer, Viktor. We don’t have to be at war. If Dante and I can be allies, then we can all be allies again.”
“Just go,” Viktor growls.
With a nod, Erik leaves, practically dragging Dante with him.
Then there is just the four of us and the priest.
Viktor lets out a deep breath. “I apologize, Inessa. You didn’t deserve for that to happen on your wedding day.”
“It’s your wedding day too.”
He takes my hands in his and smiles down at me. “It is. But I can’t believe those two showed up. They’re trying to ruin this day for me. It’s a form of punishment for what I’ve done to them.”
“I don’t want to worry about them. They’re gone now. Let’s just get married and get out of here.”
“Of course.” But his face doesn’t look that certain any longer.
“What’s wrong?” My heart constricts at the idea of Viktor backing out now.
“Just something Erik said. He thought you looked familiar.”
“I’ve never seen him before,” I lie. It’s becoming too easy to lie.
“I just think that’s strange. First Finn and now Erik.”
“Maybe I look like someone to them. Viktor, I love you. I’m here with you. Don’t let Erik get in your head. I want to marry you.” That is the truth. My heart feels like it won’t be able to beat without Viktor in my life.
“Listen to her,” Julia says. “Those men are trouble. Don’t let them ruin this day for you.”
“I agree,” Mrs. Green says from the pew.
“Everyone is right.” Viktor squeezes my hands. “I love you too, Inessa. Let us get married.” He nods at the priest. “You may start.”
The ceremony isn’t as joyous as it would have been if Erik and Dante had never shown up. It’s upsetting that they tried to ruin this day but I’m not going to worry about it. My focus is on Viktor and our relationship.
“Do you, Viktor Smirnov, take this woman to be your lawfully wedded wife?”
He hesitates for just a moment. I deserve it. I deserve to have him doubt me. I have lied about who I truly am out of fear of death.
Then Viktor speaks. “I do.”
I release a heavy breath. This is happening. It’s truly happening.
“And do you, Inessa Roberts, take this man to be your lawfully wedded husband?”
It hurts me that I can’t use my actual last name but I chose this new name for myself. My father doesn’t have a claim to it any longer. I am forging a new path ahead.
“I do.”
Viktor’s smile is genuine.
“I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride.”
He cups my face and gives me a soft, tender kiss. It’s a tease for things to come.
Viktor and I have barely touched since Natasha kidnapped and almost murdered me. I’ve been desperate for his touch. He awoke something inside of me and I can’t push it down.
“I love you,” I whisper to him when we part. I want Viktor to know that no matter the lies I’ve told, the fact that I love him is the complete and honest truth. He makes me feel safe and seen and respected. No man has ever done that for me before.
He hasn’t disappointed me like my father has.
“I love you too,” he responds. I think he means it but I can’t read his mind. Is Viktor having doubts about me? That’s two times different men have told him I look familiar.
And that is not good.
We quickly leave the chapel in case Dante and Erik decide to come back. His guards are unconscious outside.
“We’ll leave them here,” Viktor says. “They’re fired anyway.”
The four of us drive back to Viktor’s house.
Well, my house now, I guess.
“Stay safe,” he tells Julia as she gets out of the car with Mrs. Green. “We’ll be back tomorrow.”
“You should have a honeymoon.”
“I don’t have time for a honeymoon. Now, get inside. Erik is watching this place. He could strike. The sooner you go back to France, Julia, the better.”
“I have a ticket for tomorrow,” she says.
“Good. Now get inside. Both of you.”
Mrs. Green offers me an encouraging smile as she follows Julia into the house.
“Where are we going?” I ask as Viktor backs out of the driveway.
“I wanted it to be a surprise. I know you didn’t plan anything for our wedding night.”
I blush. “No. I guess I forgot. There was so much to do for the wedding.”
“That’s why I planned something.” He takes me to a luxurious hotel in the heart of the city. “I thought we could have our wedding night here. I want it to be special for you.”
Tears well in my eyes. “Thank you.” Guilt also stabs at my stomach but I push that to the side.
The inside of the hotel is beautiful with dark rose gold walls and diamond encrusted decorations everywhere. This is the epitome of luxury.
“I’ve never been in a hotel like this,” I admit as we walk to our room. “Could never afford it.”
“Now you can.” He unlocks our door and pushes it open to reveal a gorgeous suite. The front room has a couch and TV as well as a fully fleshed out kitchen. But it’s the bedroom that holds my attention.
The bed looks soft enough to sink into. It’s a queen but it doesn’t take up the entire room since the space is so large.
“It’s beautiful,” I whisper, feeling Viktor step up behind me.
“It really is. It’s our wedding night, Inessa.” His voice drops an octave and I shiver. “I know you’re innocent but you know what will happen?”
“Yes.” My body has been excited for it. There’s a danger to the room with Viktor behind me. He could do anything he wanted to me and I’d be powerless to stop it.
“You know I want to make you mine. Claim you. Fuck you.”
I gasp. “I know.” I don’t dare turn around and look at him and ruin this moment. Excitement courses through me as does a little bit of fear.
Viktor still doesn’t touch me.
And then he speaks. “Take off your wedding dress.”