Chapter 23 Valentina
VALENTINA
I’ve done many dangerous things in the last few weeks of my life, but having Cristian in my room was one of the riskiest.
Especially since I keep thinking back to that night when I should be focused on meeting with Maksim to finalize wedding details.
He’d insisted I meet at his house, but for once, Alessandro grew balls and said the meeting would be in public and that he’d be there. Not that it would stop Maksim from doing anything.
After all, he ambushed me in a residential area and hunted me through a park.
I was happily surprised I didn’t have to beg to have Cristian be my bodyguard.
Alessandro said Cristian is walking a thin line, but anyone who’s willing to risk their life disrespecting a Don in defense of me is willing to do whatever it takes to keep me safe.
So today, I’m in a private room in the back of a fancy restaurant to meet with Maksim. Cristian is near the door, his presence both comfort and torture.
We haven’t seen each other since the night he snuck up to my room. But his promise echoes in my mind.
I'm going to find a way out of this for you.
I want to believe him, but time is running out.
I adjust my conservative blouse, a lesson learned from an earlier meeting.
Maybe if I look frumpy and boring, Maksim will lose interest.
I don’t think it’s working as when we entered, Maksim looked me over with his predatory smile and said, "My beautiful bride.” He even complemented my appropriate clothing but then whispered how he’ll enjoy my other dresses once we’re alone. It was all I could do not to gag.
Of course, Alessandro didn’t notice. Or if he did, he ignored it.
The meeting slogs on, frustration growing.
This wasn't supposed to be my life.
And the worst part?
I brought this on myself when I agreed to the arrangement.
Now I must see it through, unless Cristian's promise holds more weight than my brother's vows to Maksim.
Alessandro and Maksim debate security arrangements for the reception while I stare at my hands folded in my lap.
I occasionally nod when someone addresses me directly, but mostly, I let my mind wander elsewhere.
"What do you think, Valentina?" Maksim's voice interrupts my thoughts.
I blink, having missed the question entirely. "I'm sorry?"
"The honeymoon." His smile doesn't reach his eyes. "I suggested St. Petersburg. My mother would love to meet you."
The thought of being alone with him halfway across the world makes my stomach clench. "Whatever you think is best."
"Such a submissive bride." He reaches for my hand. "Not at all the fiery woman I first met. I hope you haven't lost your spirit."
I withdraw my hand, folding it back with the other. "I'm simply being practical."
Behind me, I sense Cristian tensing.
The subtle shift in his stance is something I've become attuned to.
Like animals sensing a predator.
"Good," Maksim says, leaning back. "I'd hate to think my future wife was having second thoughts."
"No second thoughts," I say, meeting his gaze steadily. "Just focused on the future."
A future I pray will never arrive, though I keep this thought locked away.
The wedding planner unfurls a massive timeline across the table.
Her immaculate manicure taps against various dates as she outlines what feels like my execution schedule.
"We'll need to finalize the guest list by Friday," she chirps. "Then the dress fitting on Monday. Tuesday we'll sample the cake options, Wednesday the menu tasting…"
Her voice fades to white noise as my gaze drifts to the window.
A bird flies in the distance, and I wish I were the bird and could spread my wings away from this place.
"Miss Dante?" The planner's voice sharpens. "The color scheme?"
I blink and turn my attention to the task at hand. Alessandro’s eyes are narrow, chastising my aloofness.
"Whatever Maksim prefers," I reply automatically.
"It's your wedding day. Surely, you have some preference?"
My preference is to run away with the man standing behind me.
"Red and gold are traditional Bratva colors," Maksim interjects. "Very festive."
The color of blood and chains. How fitting.
I nod, feeling Cristian shift behind me. Without looking, I know exactly how he stands. Feet shoulder-width apart, hands clasped before him, spine straight. The perfect soldier.
"For the bridal party…" the planner continues.
I steal a glance over my shoulder. Cristian's eyes meet mine for just a heartbeat. His jaw clenches slightly, the only indication that he's affected by my attention.
Would anyone else notice how his gaze lingers too long? The wedding planner certainly doesn't.
She's too busy discussing floral arrangements and champagne towers.
I turn back to the table, forcing myself to nod at appropriate moments while my thoughts remain on the man behind me. My protector, my impossible dream.
“I don’t need to be here for all this,” Alessandro says, standing up. “As long as security is set, that’s all I need.”
Traitor, I feel like saying to him.
He leaves the room, whispering something to Cristian, whose eyes are on me.
His jaw tightens as if he doesn’t like what Alessandro is saying.
I give my head a shake and do my best to listen to the wedding planner.
"That will be all for today," Maksim says suddenly, cutting off the wedding planner mid-sentence about floral arrangements.
She blinks. "But we still need to discuss the—"
"I said that will be all." His tone leaves no room for argument.
The planner gathers her materials, muttering something about rescheduling as she scurries from the room.
I straighten in my chair, pulse quickening, attuned to a shift in Maksim and worried what it means.
Now that Alessandro is gone, does he feel he doesn’t need to act like a gentleman?
“Now it’s just us, we can speak privately."
I resist the urge to look back at Cristian to make sure he’s still there. "About what?"
“You seem… distracted today."
"Wedding details are overwhelming."
He laughs. "And yet you have no opinions on any of them." His eyes flick briefly to where Cristian stands. "I notice you keep looking to your bodyguard. Are you afraid?"
My throat tightens. "Why would I be afraid?"
"He's a violent sort. If he makes you uncomfortable—"
"I'm not uncomfortable."
Maksim studies me, and it’s all I can do not to squirm. "Perhaps you're still thinking about our moment in the garden. I apologize if I was overeager."
"It's forgotten," I lie.
His gaze sharpens. "Then it must be him.” He nods toward Cristian.
I feel Cristian tensing behind me.
“Who?” I ask, acting like I don’t notice Cristian is still there.
Maksim scratches his chin. “Funny how you keep looking toward him but now pretend you don’t know he’s here. Either he makes you nervous or maybe there’s something going on.”
I force a laugh. "Going on? With my bodyguard? Don't be ridiculous."
“Perhaps he sees the fiery woman I see and wants her for himself.”
I shrug, even as my heartbeat races with panic. “Too bad for him.”
"Hmm." Maksim leans closer, his cologne suffocating. "Remember, Valentina, soon you'll be my wife. Your loyalty, your body, your very thoughts will belong to me. I hope you’re not having second thoughts. You seem less enthusiastic today.”
"I wonder if having your men ambush me and kill my driver might have dampened my enthusiasm for this union." The words slip out, and I chastise myself for letting them.
Maksim's smile turns cold. "Ah, so the fire still burns beneath this submissive exterior."
Cristian shifts behind me.
"Your family was attempting to postpone our wedding. I simply wished to secure our agreement." Maksim’s voice is calm, but I know better. He feels disrespected and needs to make someone pay.
I need to defuse this situation before he tries something that makes this situation worse.
"About that letter." I wave my hand dismissively, channeling every ounce of acting ability I possess. "Alessandro told me about it. Clearly, someone's trying to cause problems between our families."
"You don't say." His gaze is penetrating, searching for deception.
"Probably the Rossis." I shrug, hoping my face doesn't betray me. "They've been trying to undermine my family for years. They'd love nothing more than to see this alliance fail."
Maksim leans back, considering. "Perhaps." Then he leans closer, invading my space. "And you're certain you have no reservations?"
"About marrying the most powerful Pakhan in New York?" I flutter my eyelashes, hating myself for the performance. "What girl wouldn't be excited?"
Behind me, I imagine Cristian's jaw clenching, his hands tightening into fists.
I'm stabbing him with every false word of enthusiasm.
"You seemed less than thrilled earlier."
"Pre-wedding jitters." I smile so widely my cheeks hurt. "Plus, a girl likes to be wooed, Maksim. Ambushes aren't exactly romantic."
He laughs, seemingly pleased by my playfulness. "I'll remember that."
Inside, I'm screaming. The girl who stood up to her brothers, who demanded respect in family meetings, who earned her place through intelligence and strength, is now demeaning herself.
But what choice do I have? Every word protects Cristian.
"Honestly, Maksim." I place my hand over his, praying he doesn’t notice how much touching him makes me sick.
"I'm almost offended you'd believe some silly letter over me.
After all these meetings and plans?" I gesture dramatically at the scattered wedding samples.
"You think I'd go through all this trouble just to back out? "
His eyes narrow slightly, assessing my performance.
"I've sat through hours of floral arrangements, cake tastings, and venue tours." I roll my eyes with exaggerated weariness. "If I weren't committed, don't you think I'd have found a more efficient way to escape?"
A chuckle rumbles from his chest. "Perhaps. You are smarter than I think people give you credit for.”
“Thank you. Finally, someone notices.” I smile like he’s handed me the sun and moon. "Besides," I continue, leaning forward conspiratorially, "when have the Dantes ever been known to be indecisive? Once we commit to something, we follow through. Remember that about your future wife."
I feel Cristian's eyes burning into my back as Maksim's smile widens.
"I've always admired that Dante determination," Maksim says, lifting my hand to his lips, and I swear I can feel my lunch trying to come back up.
"Then trust it. The wedding will happen exactly as planned."
“You know, I didn’t want to hurt you. I merely intended to take you somewhere safe until our wedding day. To ensure nothing interfered with our arrangement."
He didn’t want to kill me, and I have no doubt he wanted to take me somewhere “safe” until the wedding. But I’m sure pain was a part of his plan.
"I'm sure your intentions were purely honorable," I say.
His laugh is harsh. "We're beyond pretense, aren't we? You know what kind of man I am, just as I know what kind of woman you are."
"And what kind of woman is that?"
"One who understands sacrifice." His fingers brush my cheek. I fight the urge to recoil. "One who recognizes her place in our world."
Behind me, I hear Cristian's barely audible intake of breath.
"I understand sacrifice," I agree, meeting his gaze. "I also understand consequences."
His eyes narrow slightly. "Meaning?"
"Meaning that trust works both ways. You can't expect me to enter this marriage with open arms when you've already shown what lengths you'll go to when you feel slighted."
Maksim studies me for a long moment. "You're more like your brothers than I gave you credit for."
"I'm a Dante," I say simply.
"For now. Soon, you'll be a Vasiliev, and we'll have plenty of time to adjust your perspective."
The threat in his words sends a chill through my body, but I refuse to let him see how he affects me. I know it’s part of what he enjoys. Like a cat toying with a mouse.
"I look forward to our wedding day," I lie.
"I look forward to seeing you in white," Maksim says, his eyes traveling over my body. "A virgin bride in white. How traditional.”
His emphasis on "virgin" sends ice through my veins. Does he suspect? Has someone seen Cristian climbing to my balcony?
I force my face to remain neutral despite the growing panic. “Tradition is important in both our families.”
"Yes. I'm particularly fond of the wedding night traditions."
Behind me, I sense Cristian's tension radiating like heat. One wrong move and everything will explode.
As Maksim continues discussing our honeymoon and wedding night, my mind drifts to last night on my balcony.
Cristian's strong hands cradling my face.
His whispered words against my hair. "We'll find a way, Valentina. I swear it."
But hope is dangerous.
Meeting with Cristian outside his bodyguard arrangement is dangerous.
Yet I can't stop myself from waiting by the window after everyone sleeps, listening for his quiet knock.
"Valentina?" Maksim's sharp voice pulls me back. "You're not listening."
"I'm sorry," I say, forcing a smile. "Just imagining our big day."
His eyes narrow, and I’m sure he doesn’t buy it. He rises and adjusts his tie. “Doesn’t matter. In the end, you’ll be mine. You’ll learn to listen. To obey.” He leans down close to me. “I won’t have it any other way. The sooner you understand that, the better it will be for you.”