Chapter 11
Chapter
Eleven
Lucy
“What’s this?”
I glanced up at Kirill. Was that why he’d been giving me one-word answers during the tasting? Maybe he was nervous.
Kirill picked it up and brushed the crumbs away to reveal a circle of white gold or platinum carved with intricate detailing. An enormous diamond sat at its center. “This was my grandmother’s engagement ring. Irina gave it to me to give to you, but if you want something else—”
I was speechless. I didn’t know what to say. “It’s a family heirloom?”
“It is.”
“Kirill…”
“I didn’t think this through.” He grabbed the napkin, soaked it with water, and polished the ring.
“You’re wasting the chocolate. You could have licked it clean,” I chided.
He raised a brow. “It would’ve remained sticky.”
“Who cares? I’ll pop it in the jewelry cleaner later.” I extended my left hand. “I wasn’t expecting an engagement ring today, but why not?”
He smirked and slipped the ring on my finger. “I had to have it sized down. Irina’s fingers are thicker than yours.”
I giggled. “Never say that to any woman. We don’t like to be told we have thick fingers.”
“I like the shape of yours. They’re like tapered candles,” he rasped, tracing the top of my hand like it soothed him.
I kept my nails rounded and short, so I had no idea how he came to that conclusion.
Goose bumps tickled my skin. I was glad I was wearing the jacket of my suit and he didn’t know how he was affecting me.
He was unusually riveted on the ring circling my finger.
Still, my breathing hitched. Kirill flicked his eyes from my hand to my face and it was the same feral look he shot me earlier when he said he was putting babies inside me. Now why did that sound so hot? Maybe because to make babies, it involved his cock penetrating—
I cut off the trajectory of my thoughts even as warmth pulsed between my thighs. Oh my God. “Let’s have cake,” I croaked. Even that sounded like I was propositioning him.
We finished the cake tasting with me less annoyed at Kirill’s lack of input because he did surprise me with the engagement ring.
I doubted he was the one who thought about hiding it in the cake, but I didn’t want to overthink the moment.
Having the ring on my finger made this engagement appear more real, and not a business transaction.
He left it up to me to make our cake selections, and I didn’t even have to decide right there.
“Are you still hungry?” he asked when we were back on the road.
“Don’t you have to be elsewhere?” I didn’t want to mention Anya and be petty.
He hitched his shoulders. “Not until tonight.”
Where would he be on a Sunday night?
As if reading my mind, he said, “Atlantic City.”
“Oh. Bratva business.”
Kirill sighed. “Yes. I’ll be busy in the weeks leading up to the wedding, Lucy.
This was another reason I wanted to see you today, because I might not get a chance other than dropping at the lawyer’s office to sign the prenup.
Peter called me last night and said he’s sending his second-in-command to negotiate the release of Viktor’s body.
In the eyes of law enforcement, I am nowhere near the body or this shitstorm, but in Peter’s eyes, he’s expecting me to pull some strings to get the feds to release Viktor’s body and get the heat off Moscow.
After all, the DEA and ATF are involved after finding guns and narcotics in the trunk.
Made me wonder if it would have been simpler for them to find Davenport’s body, then at least we’d only be dealing with the state police. ”
“Unless it becomes a bigger scandal, and will still become a fed investigation involving the Department of Justice,” I said.
“Yes.” He paused before replying, “We’ll be good together.”
“You think?” I said, grinning. “What? Burying your scandals? Is that why you’re marrying me, Kirill?”
He didn’t answer me until we arrived at the restaurant for brunch. I was surprised he booked us a private room, and champagne was already chilling in a bucket.
I didn’t know whether I could drink more alcohol. I was already buzzed at the cake tasting, not to mention the amount of sugar running in my blood.
He pulled out my chair and took the one right beside me. It was a table that could seat four.
I glanced at the tasting menu before us and saw it was emblazoned with our names. Mr. Zahkarov and Miss De Lucci.
It had all my favorite dishes. Glazed oysters with osetra, chilled lobster, duck confit, and rack of lamb.
“This is a lot for brunch.”
“We have all afternoon to enjoy it,” he said.
A white-gloved server entered the room, and Kirill gave him the signal to pop the champagne.
“How in the world did you find out my favorites?” I asked.
“Irina asked your mother.”
I laughed briefly. Of course. Everything about my future husband needn’t be cloak and dagger.
After the waiter left the room, Kirill raised his flute. “You have surprised me repeatedly, and I have a feeling we can have a good marriage.”
It wasn’t romantic, but I appreciated his honesty. Any flowery words would have landed dismally, and Kirill was a man of action. He’d taken the effort with the ring and booking us this lunch of my favorite things.
“To a good marriage.”
He grinned. “And maybe more.”
I smiled back and we clinked our glasses.
After the toast, he cleared his throat. “You asked why I’m marrying you?
You know you’re beautiful, Lucy, and you have esteemed family connections.
But I appreciate your ability to read the room.
King could have charmed information out of you, but you walked away.
You’re familiar with the intricacies of different law enforcement agencies and might very well save me from missteps.
I want you by my side at events. If nothing else, we’ll have a good partnership. ”
“I wasn’t sure I could even stand you,” I said honestly. “I have an aversion to overbearing men, and the quickest way to push me away is to become a tyrant in our marriage.”
“I can’t help the way I am, but you have no problem correcting me or arguing.” His mouth tipped up. “I find that refreshing.”
“Arguing comes with the law degree territory.”
His finger circled the rim of the flute. “Any plans of taking the bar?”
“Frankly, I’m not sure. I haven’t been practicing law at all, not even paralegal work.”
He reached across the table and held my left hand, his thumb gliding over the ring.
There was possessiveness in the way he was looking at me.
“I want to make this work. Arguing all the time will get old. It’s a no-brainer, but Irina had to remind me I have to get to know you.
I’ve never done this before…this dating…
thing. So, you’ll have to take the lead in this. ”
“I don’t know…”
Just then, our server returned with the first course. The glazed oysters with osetra.
I nodded at the tiny but expensive plate. “You’re doing pretty well.”
“When you said you were going to plan our outings to make the Kings believe our engagement, what were some dates you were thinking of?”
So over the course of the delicious lunch, I told Kirill about the movie nights with my cousins, maybe a dinner cruise on a yacht. Visits to art galleries.
“An associate of mine is having a gallery opening next month,” Kirill said over the lamb course. “That’s something we frequently attend since Irina is a patron of the arts.”
I hated that my mind went to money laundering because that was something my own brother did. Art pieces were frequent investments because they were one of the few assets that were recession-proof.
“Oh, that would be lovely.” I did my best to smile.
I couldn’t say the lunch conversation went smoothly, but it was better than I expected given how Kirill and I frequently sniped at each other.
We were struggling to meet a middle ground to make the marriage bearable because he was right.
It could be exhausting to be at each other’s throats all the time.
We could learn to be husband and wife. Spending time together, lazy Sunday afternoons.
Rainy days indoors. Who knew if at the end of it all we might not become lovers, but at least we could be friends.
The chef poked his head in. He seemed to know Kirill because they shook hands vigorously.
“I trust the lunch was excellent.”
“Everything was fabulous,” I replied, and I meant it.
“Excellent as usual, Arturo,” Kirill said.
Chef Arturo looked at me apologetically. “Do you mind if I steal your man for a few minutes?”
There was a trace of apology on Kirill’s face. “Is it okay, Lucy?”
“Of course,” I said. Probably business talk or whatever talk. After they left, I decided to use the facilities.
The restaurant appeared to be doing brisk business as I walked through the main dining room, which was lavishly appointed with crystal chandeliers and dark wood amidst brass trimmings.
Impressionist artwork and imported ceramic vases on pedestals peppered a wide hallway. I refreshed my makeup and lipstick.
When I exited the ladies’ room, I spied the driver of the SUV following us. The soldier who was with Sato earlier. He was hurrying across an intersecting hallway. Curious where it led, I walked toward it instead of the opposite direction that would be my path back to our private room.
I peeked around the corner, around another pedestal and a gigantic oriental vase. There was a hallway lined with two rooms and doors with frosted panels. One of them was slightly ajar. Voices filtered my way. I swallowed. Was I going to do this?
Yes.
Quiet as my heeled shoes would allow, I approached the room with the slightly open door.
Kirill’s deep baritone was unmistakable.
My stomach sank. My fiancé was doing business while on a supposed date with me.
Was it premeditated or impromptu?
I inched closer.
An unfamiliar voice spoke, “You’ll get the payment when the shipment arrives tonight.”
“I’ll personally see to it that the docks are cleared for receipt.”
“I wasn’t too sure you could pull this off and give me confirmation. Many eyes are on you and me.”
“It helps I have a beautiful fiancée for distraction.”
The food I ate earlier threatened to reappear, and all his sweet and thoughtful gestures came crashing down around me in an avalanche of deception. Kirill didn’t desire to know me better or make our marriage work. He just wanted a docile smokescreen.
“She doesn’t suspect anything?”
Kirill gave a scoffing laugh. “No. I have her eating out of my hand with a few romantic gestures. Women are easy to manipulate, and Lucy is no different. Despite that law degree, she’s as gullible as they come. She’s a pretty face and will suit me well.”
I knew I was a pawn, but he didn’t need to disguise his intentions. He almost fooled me. Angry tears stung my eyes. I was going to be sick.
The door slammed shut and made me jump. Then I heard Kirill scold someone, probably the soldier who didn’t close the door.
I scurried back to our private room. Involuntary tremors shook my body. I was livid, but I knew what I was getting into, didn’t I? Kirill didn’t have to butter me up. All he had to do was to be his cold, fucked-up self, and I would appear with him at events and play my part.
When Kirill returned, my fingers were hurting from gripping each other beneath the table when all I was dying to do was break the bottle of wine over his head.
“Sorry,” he muttered. “Arturo wanted my opinion about a selection of wines for the restaurant.”
Sure.
“Of course,” I whispered, swallowing the bitterness in my throat.
His expression was back to its bland, stoic self. I guessed he was successful in conducting business and he didn’t need to charm me anymore.
Still, his eyes were searching, alert. “Are you okay?”
I flashed him a tight smile. “I think I ate too much. Acid reflux and all that.”
“There’s still the dessert course.”
“I’m done with sweets.” My voice was too sharp, and I forced an apologetic smile. “Sorry. I’m just not feeling well. Too much bubbly and sweets, you know.” I managed a light laugh that sounded genuine. “Just have them box it, maybe?” I couldn’t bear another second in his presence.
“Okay.” The harsh lines of his face softened. “I’ve settled the bill. I’ll let our server know we’re ready to leave and have him box the dessert.”
I said little on the drive home, and neither did Kirill. It wasn’t even tension; I was deflated with an overall sense of bleakness. It only made it harder to keep up pretenses.
Kirill did the gentlemanly thing again and walked me to the door.
Unlike the kiss he gave me earlier, this attempt left me cold because I’d realized his duplicity.
In a way, I was glad I saw his true colors.
I knew something he didn’t. But my experience in politics taught me to be strategic, holding on to information until I could use it for maximum impact.
He thought I was a gullible woman? I could just see Zio Luca beaming at me with pride at my restraint.
And as I entered the house, I was glad my parents were not around.
I went to the kitchen and jammed the takeout dessert in the garbage disposal.
That was where it belonged, with my ridiculous giddiness over the ring earlier. Straight to the sewer.