Chapter 2
Chapter
Two
KATYA
T he name shocks me to the core.
“A—Anton Volkov? As in the Anton Volkov who blew up your club and tried to kill you? That Anton Volkov?”
“Yes.”
“What the hell? How—how can you—how can you marry me to that man? You can’t be serious. This has to be a joke. You’re messing with me.”
When Dimitri sighs deeply, I know he’s telling the truth. “I’m not. You’re going to marry him.”
“You can’t do that to her,” Evie says. “You can’t.”
“I’m responsible for Katya. It’s my duty to find her a husband. I’ve found one.”
“But why?” I ask. My heart has never pounded this fast. My hands are clammy. There’s a terrible pit in my stomach. Is this what panic feels like?
“Because it was the only way for peace. Anton promised to back off if he married you. It’s an advantageous alliance that benefits all of us.”
“How?” Evie demands. Thank god I have her on my side.
“He was going to try and murder both of you. And I’ll be honest, he could succeed.”
“But you’ve always kept me safe,” she says.
“I know. But Anton is a madman. I don’t know what he’s fully capable of, and that makes him scary. I’d rather have him as an ally than an enemy.”
“So, I’m the prize to be paid?” I ask.
He turns around his seat and looks me dead in the eye. “You are. I’m sorry, Katya. I didn’t want this. But you need a husband, and I need to make sure Anton stays in line. This is the best way to keep everyone safe.”
“But me. Because you just said he’s crazy, and yet you’re going to marry me to him. I’m not safe with him, Dimitri. He tried to kill you. What’s he going to do to me?”
“He said he wouldn’t hurt you.”
“And you believed him?!” I start ripping at the curls in my hair. “I can’t do this. Take me back home. I’m not going to marry him.”
“You don’t have a choice.”
“Of course, I have a choice. I choose not to marry him. Now, turn the car around and bring me back home.”
Dimitri and I stare at each other, neither one backing down.
“I can’t, Katya. He will hurt you and Evie and Ava and Luna if you don’t marry him. He will tear this city apart. But working with him can keep it together. I know I’m asking you to take the fall, and it’s not right, but you have to do it. If you want to keep everyone safe, you have to do it.”
I’m breathing heavily as I glare at him. I can’t believe him. Asking me to make this sacrifice. It’s not fair. What did I do to deserve this? I’ve never had the chance to live my life for myself. I’ve always had to play by the rules of my brother.
And now, he wants me to sign my life away to the devil.
But if I don’t marry Anton, I could die. Dimitri could die. Evie could die. I can’t lose my family. I can’t lose Ava and Luna, my other best friends. I’ve already lost my mom and dad. I can’t lose anyone else.
If marrying Anton means safety for everyone, then that’s the price I have to pay.
“I hate you,” I whisper. Dimitri’s eyes tighten, but he nods.
“I can live with that if it means you’re safe. Now, you need to get out of the car and marry Anton.”
“You can’t do this,” Evie says, looking between Dimitri and me. I’m not sure if she’s speaking to me or him or both of us.
“It has to be done,” he says. “Katya, get out of the car.”
I look through the window at Anton standing outside the chapel. There’s a smirk on his face. He looks like the epitome of true danger. My heart spikes at the sight of him. That’s the man I’m going to marry—one who’s filled with darkness and is truly a madman.
He could very well have lied to Dimitri about not hurting me. None of us know exactly what’s going to happen when I marry Anton. When I move into his house. When I’m alone with him.
But I can’t let my family die.
With a deep breath, I open the door.
“Katya,” Evie objects.
“I have to do this,” I tell her. “You would make the sacrifice, too, if it meant saving everyone, and you know it. So, don’t talk me out of this, Evie. Don’t.”
She gives me a long, sad look but nods.
I manage to get out of the car without falling over. My dress, the one I found so beautiful just moments ago, now suffocates me. It clings to my body in all the ways it shouldn’t. I can tell Anton notices by how his gaze rakes me over. His smile deepens.
Dimitri stands at my side, and together, we approach Anton.
“You made it,” Anton says. “I wasn’t sure if you were going to show.”
“So, you’re Anton,” I say.
“I am. And you’re Katya. I have to say, you’re much more beautiful in person.”
I shiver at his words. “Can we just get this over with?”
“That desperate to marry me, huh?”
“I’d rather gouge my eyes out, and I love my eyes. But I don’t want you to kill everyone I love, so I’m doing this for them. Not for you.”
Anton laughs as he slides his eyes to Dimitri. “Your sister is a spitfire.”
“That she is,” he responds tightly. “Shall we?”
My eyes fall onto the chapel. Just behind those doors, I’ll marry Anton Volkov. I was living in a boring existence before, but at least I was safe.
Now, I’ve entered a nightmare.
And the sad part is, all I can think about is how my last name will no longer be Ivanov. It will be Volkov.
And I just freaking hate that name.
Anton gives me another devilish grin as he opens the chapel doors and motions me inside.
I glance behind me and see Evie is still in the car. Crying. We’ve been best friends since high school, and I know how much it kills her to see me in pain. I won’t ask her to watch me get married. I need to be strong for her.
Anton extends his hand out for me, but I walk past him with my head held high. If I’m going to do this, I’m not going to show any fear. I won’t give Anton an ounce of myself.
Anton doesn’t say anything about my snub, but he does raise his eyebrows, and just for a second, he looks slightly impressed before his features settle back into their dark expression.
Inside the chapel stands a woman I recognize. Katerina. Anton’s mother. I insulted her on accident by not knowing who she was. She glares at me as I enter. Great. I have her to look forward to as a mother-in-law.
Also in the room is Maxim, wearing a suit—which is unusual for him but is a good look—and Nikolai. His scar on his face is a constant reminder of what Anton did to him.
Both men look stoic as they stand in the entranceway.
Anton claps his hands together. “So, shall we get this wedding started?”
ANTON
Katya is a beautiful bride.
Her soft blonde hair and icy blue eyes make her look striking, especially in a gown that shows off her every curve.
I’ve seen pictures of her before from when I did intel on Dimitri, but a picture doesn’t do Katya justice.
And she will be all mine.
To her credit, she doesn’t scream or run away as we walk down the aisle together. I like that she’s not showing any fear, but I’m sure she’s afraid. I know my reputation. I know a girl like her knows all about me and is probably terrified.
She should be terrified of me. I’m not a good man. I don’t hesitate to kill people, both men and women.
But with Katya, seeing how beautiful she is, I might hesitate. It would be a shame to kill such a pretty face.
Good thing she’ll be my wife instead of my enemy, so I don’t have to worry about killing her at all.
We stand before the officiant—a priest I paid off to be here and not ask questions. My mother and the men all take seats in the front pews. It’s a small wedding affair, and I’m fine with that. I love a big spectacle normally, but I’m willing to settle for something small if it means I can marry Katya. I know Dimitri didn’t want the wedding to be large. I think he mostly didn’t because he wanted to trick Katya into coming here. The less people knew about this wedding, the better for him.
But the moment we’re married, I want the entire city to know Katya is mine. That I am now a business partner with Dimitri, Maxim, and Nikolai.
Oh, Nikolai. I glance at my old best friend and business partner. I can see the tension on his face as he watches Katya and me. He hates every second of this. Hates knowing I won again. That I got away without punishment.
The priest begins to speak, going on and on about love and commitment and loyalty.
I’ll show commitment and loyalty to Katya. She’s so fucking pretty I doubt any other woman could compare. I’ll have no need to cheat on her. Besides, I don’t want to risk ruining this tentative partnership with her brother in case she goes running to him if I upset her.
I take Katya’s hands in mine. They’re stiff, but I didn’t expect anything less.
“You’re not crying,” I murmur, interrupting the priest.
“Why would I cry?” she snaps back.
I shrug. “A lot of women would cry knowing they had to marry me. But you’re not.”
“How do you know a woman would cry to marry you? You’ve been married before?”
“No. Just an observation.”
“Well, I say you’re wrong. If you haven’t made a woman cry, then how would you know I would cry?”
“An assumption.”
“You know what they say when you assume.”
I do, but I ask anyway, “What do they say?”
Her cheeks turn pink and it just makes her look prettier. “You make an ass out of you and me. But mostly you. Because I think you’re an asshole.”
“Katya,” Dimitri snaps.
“You are marrying my son,” Katerina says, standing up. “Show him some respect. I told you, Anton, that this would be a bad idea.”
I hold up my hand while keeping my eyes glued to Katya’s face. She doesn’t look away once. “Mother, calm down. Katya and I are just having a fun conversation. I like your spirit,” I tell Katya. “It’s fun.”
“It’s not supposed to be fun. Why do you even want to marry me anyway?”
“Maybe we should be having this discussion after we’re married.” I nod pointedly at the priest.
“No. I want to have this discussion right now.”
“Fine. I think you’re beautiful. And I want to be partners with your brother. I want the power that he and Maxim and Nikolai provide. You’re my way to getting that. Happy enough?”
“And if I walk away right now? What would you do?”
“I would probably shoot your brother in the head.”
Her eyes widen, and her hands stiffen even more.
I lean my head in closer to her. “Still want to walk away?”
She inhales sharply and turns to the priest. “Hurry this along.”
When she looks back at me, I smile, knowing I’m victorious. Katya will not risk her family dying. She’ll be a good girl and marry me.
What’s better than being in control?
KATYA
“Do you, Anton Volkov, take this woman to be your lawfully wedded wife?”
The priest’s words slam into my chest like a jackhammer. This is really happening. I’m really marrying Anton, the enemy.
Anton smirks, which makes me want to slap him. I wonder what would happen if I did do that? Would he slap me back? Would he laugh? Or would he just not care?
“I do,” he says. I hate to admit it, but his voice is nice and warm. There’s a deep quality to it that makes me want to lean in and listen.
And he’s handsome, which I hate. Why does he have to be handsome? I thought evil people were supposed to be ugly.
The priest turns to me. “Do you, Katya Ivanov, take this man to be your lawfully wedded husband?”
The urge to say no is on the tip of my tongue. It would be so easy to do.
But it would lead to nowhere because Anton will hurt my family if I don’t marry him. This is the one chance to make peace with him. I have the power to keep my family safe by marrying him. It’s a burden I never asked for, but it’s one I have to take on by myself.
I inhale deeply. The door of the chapel creaks open, and I look over. Evie. She’s finally decided to join us.
I didn’t want her to have to see this part. Signing my soul to the devil. But I’m glad to have my best friend with me.
Her eyes are puffy from her tears. Subtly, she shakes her head. I know she wants me to run. If I ran, maybe Dimitri could kill Anton, and we’d be safe. But a man like Anton has a failsafe plan in case anything happens to him. That much I know.
It’s ok , I mouth to her.
She shakes her head harder.
I protected Evie back when we were in high school from bullies. It was a private school, and she was a scholarship student. The other rich kids were so mean to her, but I didn’t see any reason to be. I saw someone who needed my help, and I gave it. We’ve been connected ever since.
But I can’t help Evie now. I can’t spare her the pain of this.
I turn back to Anton, unable to look Evie in the eye anymore. I just have to trust she’ll be fine. It’s me I have to worry about. I’m the one about to marry the devil.
Anton squeezes my hands. “You need to say something.”
I lick my dry lips. Normally, I would never let them get dry, but the nerves have made them so. Anton’s eyes zero in on the movement, and it dawns on me that I’ll have to kiss him. I’ll have to give my body over to him for peace. What if I say I’m not ready? Will he force me? Or will he be a gentleman about it? The idea of Anton as a gentleman is a ludicrous one; I can’t even imagine it.
“Katya,” he says more firmly.
“Ok,” I finally speak. “I do.” I hope he detects the defiance in my tone. I’m not happy about this, and I want him to know I’ll fight him tooth and nail every day for the rest of my life. While this is my choice, it’s not made freely.
I was born a Bratva daughter, raised in this world. It’s a world that never gives women a real choice.
The priest visibly relaxes. I guess he was worried, too, about what Anton would do if I said no. “I know pronounce you husband and wife. Place the ring on her finger.”
Anton pulls a box out of his pocket and opens it. Two rings sit in velvet lining. He hands me one—it’s a simple silver band. He holds out his hand to me, and it dawns on me what I’m supposed to do. I have to put this ring on him, signaling that we’re married.
With shaky fingers, I slide his ring on. His hand is warm while mine is ice cold. He catches my fingers.
“No need to be scared,” he says.
“Easier said than done.”
“You impressed me earlier by not showing fear. Don’t disappoint me now.”
He takes out the other ring. Upon closer inspection, I see it’s actually two rings. One with a large diamond on it, and the other is a simple band like his own. The engagement ring I never got and the wedding band to go with it. Anton will mark me as his own with this ring. Once it’s on, there will be no denying I’m his.
He holds my hand steady as he slides the large diamond ring on first. I stare back at him, trying not to show any fear. It’s easier to look at him than at the rings. If I look at the rings, I’ll crack. Everything will become too real.
Then he slides on the wedding band.
“You may kiss the bride,” the priest says.
I tense as Anton cups my face between his strong hands. He has slim hands, like a painter. They’re handsome hands. I never thought someone who’s committed so much violence could have such beautiful hands.
He leans his head down to mine, and I force myself to let this happen. Then his lips brush mine. It’s over in a second, over before it really began.
He steps back. “Now, you’re mine.”
I swallow hard even though I barely have any salvia to swallow. My mouth is too dry.
Anton turns to our guests. “We don’t have a reception planned, but I’m open to us all going out for dinner.”
Katerina sniffs haughtily. “I still don’t agree with this. I will meet you at home.”
Home? I frown. “You’re going to live with us?”
She stares back at me with cold, almost dead eyes. “Yes. I need to make sure you don’t try to hurt my son.”
“I don’t need you to live with us,” Anton says.
“I’m going to, and you can’t stop me. It’s because of me you are who you are. Don’t let this twit make you forget it.”
“Twit?” I ask. “Excuse me?”
Katerina shows no shame as she smiles—there’s no humor to it. “You heard me. Now, I’ll be on my way.” She walks past Evie, who’s still standing by the door. Katerina looks her up and down, then sniffs dismissively before leaving.
Evie rushes to me with her hands out. “Katya.”
I try to go to her, but Anton grabs my hand, stopping me. “What are you doing?” I ask him.
“I think it’s time for us to go.”
I glare at him. “At least let me say goodbye to my best friend.”
“Dimitri,” Evie says, turning to him. “Do something.”
He looks at her with so much pity, it hurts. “I’m sorry, Evie. There’s nothing I can do any longer. Katya is Anton’s wife now. If I do something, it’ll ruin the peace we’re trying to build. It’ll put you in danger.”
“I don’t care about that,” she hisses. “I care about my friend not getting abused every day.” She spins back around to glare at Anton. “You better not hurt her.”
“It depends on what Kaya does.”
I gasp and look at Anton harder. Does he really mean that?
“Katya, we can just go. Go now.” The desperation in Evie’s voice kills me.
“Let me say goodbye,” I tell Anton. “Give me that, and I’ll go without a fight.”
“Mmm. Shame. I like it when people put up a fight.”
I shiver at his words. Anton slowly unfurls his hand from mine, and the moment I’m free, I rush to Evie and wrap my arms around her.
“I can’t go,” I say into her ear, and she lets out a heartbreaking sob. “I have to do this. I have to make sure you and Dimitri and Ava and Luna are safe.” It doesn’t escape my notice that Ava and Luna aren’t here. Nikolai and Maxim probably forbade them from coming. They wanted to protect them from Anton.
I’m not so lucky.
“Maybe we can try something.”
“What is there to do? Anton will hurt you if I try to leave him.”
“How can you build a marriage on that? There’s no love here. Only fear.”
“I know,” I say.
“This isn’t fair. You don’t deserve this.”
“I know. I hate Dimitri for this. But I don’t want you to blame him. I don’t want you to ruin your relationship with him over this.”
“How can I not? He gave my best friend to a monster.”
“You’ve never seen Dimitri’s political side before. It’s ruthless. He’s just trying to keep you safe, remember that. I may not be able to forgive him, but I want you to. I want you to be happy no matter what happens to me.”
She hugs me tighter. “How can I be?”
“I’ll try to make it work with Anton. I have no other choice. Now, I have to let you go because, if I don’t, I never will.”
I give Evie one long squeeze before stepping back.
Dimitri comes over to us and tries to put his hand on Evie’s shoulder, but she pulls away from him. I can see the pain in his eyes as he turns to me.
“You’ll be living with Anton now.”
“I know.” I’m desperately trying to hold back my tears.
“I love you, Katya, and I’m sorry.”
“I know. But I can’t forgive you for this, Dimitri. Never .”
He nods once and steps back from me. Despite how angry I am with him, I wish he tried to give me a hug.
But I won’t be the one to do it. He did this to me. He should be the one to grovel before me and beg my forgiveness.
Dimitri won’t, though. He’s not one to beg because he rarely believes he’s in the wrong.
Maxim gives me a sympathetic smile while Nikolai offers a stoic nod. I know it’s tough for him to be in Anton’s presence.
Anton saunters over to us and smiles at Nikolai. “I’m glad we’ll be partners again.” He extends his hand.
For a long, tense moment, Nikolai does nothing. Then he slowly shakes Anton’s hand. “If you betray me again, Anton,” he warns, “there will be hell to pay.”
“Oh, I’m counting on it.”
Nikolai pulls his hand back like he’s been burned.
“Shall we go home now?” Anton asks me. Home. I no longer live with my brother. My childhood home is long gone from when an evil man named Abram blew it up. That’s why Dimitri, Evie, and I have been living in the penthouse. It’s not the place my father raised me or where he died or where Dimitri took over as Bratva boss. But the penthouse has become my new home, and now, I have to say goodbye to that one, too.
I look into Anton’s eyes. Show no fear . “Where else are we going to go?”
Judging by Anton’s slow smile, he likes my answer. “Indeed.” He places his hand on my back and walks me down the aisle. Before we leave the chapel, I look back at Dimitri and Evie. Fortunately, she’s let him place his hand on her shoulder. I just hope their marriage will be fine.
My marriage on the other hand? It’s just beginning, and honestly, I don’t know what the hell I’m doing.
How am I going to handle a husband like Anton?
I won’t know until I go with him, so I have no other choice but to walk out of the chapel with Anton’s hand pressing into my low back the entire way.