Chapter 17
One Year Later
E dmundo – Age Nineteen
Nauseous and nervous was a new combination for me. My knee bounced as I waited for Mr. Mikhailov to walk into his office. It didn’t help that I knew Ana was somewhere in the house. Her presence called to me, and there was nothing I wanted more than to see her.
The door opened, and I stood as Vadin entered. His expression was cold and indifferent, the hard lines of his face set and unmoving as he stared at me.
“Mr. Mikhailov, thank you for seeing me,” I said and held out my hand. He ignored the gesture and sat down at his desk.
“Edmundo, I am a man of my word. I agreed to let you plead your case for Yulianna, but do not mistake this as a sign that you’re forgiven.”
I shook my head and sat down.
“Do you have something to say to that?”
“I do. I’m not sure why you feel the need to punish me,” I said.
Unbuttoning my suit jacket, I sat back and glanced around the office. Not much had changed in nine years.
“Excuse me?” Vadin’s eyes narrowed.
“Well, the way I see it, I have done everything you requested. In fact, I’ve done more. Millions in new contracts, as well as diversifying your portfolio and extending your reach into Italy. Meanwhile, my only crime is loving Yulianna. Something you continue to hold against us.”
I pointed to the copy of paperwork I’d sent over weeks ago.
“Even though I’ve proven that I’m on the rise, dedicated to our joint prosperity, you sit there glaring at me and still haven’t signed the contract drawn up for Yulianna and me. I’d like to know why…no, actually, I deserve to know why when I’ve done nothing to disrespect you, Yulianna or the Mikhailov name.”
“You are a cocky son of a bitch, Edmundo, I’ll give you that. But I don’t like cocky.”
“I’m not cocky, I’m confident. I back up all my claims, and I’m willing to partner with you for life. I can promise that what I’ve already brought to the table is just scratching the surface of my ability.”
I’d never felt more calm or sure about anything in my life other than my love for Ana. I’d poured all I had into making myself a major player on the big stage this past year, and even though there was a long way to go, I knew that I’d reach my goal.
Vadin grabbed the crystal decanter on his desk and poured some of what looked like vodka into two glasses. Pushing one across the large desk, I picked it up and sniffed. It was definitely vodka.
“Tell me, Edmundo, why isn’t your father negotiating on your behalf? You do realize this is highly unusual.”
“Maybe it is, but he didn’t make a promise to you. I did. I swore to earn back your trust, and I prefer to handle my deals myself.”
“What are you offering as a dowry?”
Of course, the millions I’d already made him weren’t enough. Would anything I ever did really be enough for this man? Even expecting him to try and squeeze more from me didn’t stop my disappointment. He was the greedy SOB I thought he was. Luckily for him, I not only had more but would pay any price to get him to sign that contract.
My lip curved up. “You like to play hardball.”
“Always.”
“Five million in cash and another five in new deals once the marriage contract is signed,” I offered.
He nodded, but I knew a man like Vadin would decline any first offer. He would counter.
“Ten million in cash, and you have a deal.”
It was nearly impossible not to smile. Instead, I dropped my head and looked into the glass like I was weighing my decision. This wasn’t difficult. I would empty every account I had if he wanted it, thankfully that wasn’t the case.
I sighed and nodded.
“Alright, Mr. Mikhailov, you drive a hard bargain. Ten million upfront. The money will be sent as soon as you sign.”
He held up his glass.
“It’s possible you are right. I may have misjudged you, Edmundo. You’re a fair negotiator. Let’s toast. Tomorrow is Yulianna’s birthday. When the festivities are over, and she’s officially eighteen, I’ll sign the contract.”
My heart practically jumped out of my chest and ran out of the fucking room with joy.
“Are you serious about this?”
“Very. To a Mikhailov and Genovese merger, one that has been a long time coming and will last generations,” he said as we shot back the burning liquid in one mouthful.
Standing, I placed the glass on his desk and held out my hand.
“I promise that you will not regret this decision.”
He smirked and shook this time.
“May I request one more favor?”
“You want to see Yulianna?”
“Yes, sir, if it’s not too much to ask.”
Vadin stood. “Tomorrow at Yulianna’s ball, you’ll be announced as family, you have my word on that. She’s up in her room. I trust you still know the way.” I nodded as his cell began to ring. “I need to take this.”
“Thank you, sir. I’ll show myself out.”
It took every ounce of self control I had not to run out of the fucking office like my ass was on fire while cheering. No deal I’d made, no milestone I’d reached, nothing compared to this feeling. I marched as fast as I could to Ana’s door. It had been over a year since I held her last. My hands tingled to touch her skin, and my heart ached to be near her.
I’d done it. I’d finally made our dream a reality and I couldn’t wait to tell her.
Yulianna
Standing by the window I clutched my phone and watched for any sign of Eddie leaving. He hadn’t said he was coming over, but I caught a glimpse of the car when it arrived. The world felt right again with him so close. But I didn’t dare leave this room. If I did, then there was a good chance that Father and I would end up in another heated argument about my future. We’d screamed at one another so many times that I’d lost count. It had been a solid six weeks without a single blowup between us, and my mother looked like she’d finally stopped walking on eggshells.
My knees shook while I waited to see him again, if only from afar. So badly, I wanted him to look up here, to smile at me, to rescue me from this place…my gilded prison.
There was a knock at the door, but I refused to leave my post. “Who is it?”
“Hear my soul speak. Of the very instant that I saw you, did my heart fly at your service.”
My head whipped in the direction of my door, and my heart ceased to beat at the Shakespeare quote from The Tempest .
We’d started reading and playing the parts while on our calls. Not only would he be the only one to ever quote Shakespeare to me, but I would know his voice anywhere.
I raced across the room, twisted the lock, and threw the door open. Like some bit of magic, there he was, and my limbs went numb. Neither of us moved for what seemed like an eternity.
“Ana,” Eddie said, his voice deep and breathy.
With just my name falling from his lips, the spell was broken. Leaping out the door and onto him, I wrapped my arms around his neck. He held on to me just as tightly, and I soaked in his touch, his smell, his very essence.
“Eddie, are you really here?”
My arms tightened as tears stung my eyes.
“I really am. Can I come in and talk to you?”
Even though I didn’t want to let go, I stepped back and dragged him into my room. The permanent guard stationed in the hallway put his hand on the door when I tried to close it.
“The door must remain open,” he said.
“I’m closing my door to have a private conversation. If you have a problem with it, then you can talk to my father, and he can tell me himself. Now, remove your hand,” I ordered.
“Ana, it’s okay. Your father has rules in place, and we’ll follow them. It’s not an issue,” Eddie said while I glared at the guard. “We’ll leave the door open, but can you move further down the hall as a compromise,” he asked.
The guard looked frustrated but walked away.
“My father has had one of those thugs outside my door ever since he dragged me back here. I can’t go anywhere without one of them hovering over me.” We walked over to the loveseat and sat down. “I’m just so sick of them.”
We faced one another, and I kept my hands on Eddie’s leg as he cupped my cheek.
“You’re so beautiful,” he whispered, his voice raspy and full of the same longing that was coursing through my veins. “No matter how many mornings I wake up and look into your eyes, my heart won’t let me believe that I’m lucky enough to have you.”
“Eddie, you always leave me speechless when you talk like this.”
His lip tugged up, showing off his sexy dimple.
“Then you do understand how you make me feel. Artists from around the world should be banging down your door to paint your likeness.”
The blush was instant as he stared at me with such heat that it threatened to burn us both down. I leaned into his touch, hating that this was all we were allowed.
“How are you so perfect,” I asked, truly baffled. “You’ve always been like this, not like anyone else I’ve ever met, and….” My eyes filled with tears as the reality of the moment sunk in and made my chest ache. “God, it hurt so much to leave you. I can’t do it again, I can’t, Eddie.” I lowered my voice even more. “You have to get me out of here, please.”
“Ana, it’s okay. After tomorrow, we get to spend every single day together for the rest of our lives.”
“What,” I asked, not able to believe my ears.
“Your father agreed to a contract. I just came from his office. He’s going to announce our engagement tomorrow night at your party.”
“Are you joking? Please tell me this isn’t a dream. I don’t want to wake up a few minutes from now and find it was all a beautiful lie.”
Eddie scooted closer, and I’d never had so much difficulty keeping myself under control. All I wanted to do was jump on him. It was if even my blood vibrated with the effort it took to remain on my cushion.
“I would never joke about this, and if it is a dream then I’m having the same one. We did it, Ana,” Eddie whispered.
The tears spilled out and down my cheeks even as a smile spread across my face. Unable to keep to myself any longer, I cupped Eddie’s face and kissed him, moaning into his mouth as he shuddered and groaned from my touch.
It was like no time had passed as our lips moved in sync, the passion roaring to life inside of me and daring me to take things further. Eddie wrapped his hand around the back of my neck to deepen the kiss, and it was only then that I could feel the matched desperation in him that consumed me daily. His presence was the only thing that had ever quenched the longing in my soul.
Eddie broke the kiss, and I gasped like I was coming up for air in the pool. His forehead touched mine, and I could feel his pulse racing as fast as mine under my fingers.
“I don’t know how much longer I can last without having you. I’d lock the door right now and say to hell with my father’s rules. I’m so tired of being ordered around, of being this perfect princess. I love you, and I want you.”
“God, Ana. You could tempt a saint,” Eddie said, his tone so rough that it sent a shiver racing down my spine.
I glanced down and licked my lips at the sight of the large bulge in his pants, but he grabbed my wrist as I reached for him.
“Please, Ana.” He shook his head. “I am barely holding it together. If you touch me, then I’ll give you what we both desperately want. I would risk taking every bullet the guards have loaded just for a taste, but we only have to wait until tomorrow night. We’ve waited this long. We can last one more night.”
“But he’ll make us wait until our wedding night.”
I knew I sounded whiny, but I didn’t care. I’d been starved for Eddie’s touch, and a wildness was taking hold.
“Once he signs, you’re mine. I plan on consummating the contract immediately. I’m not taking any chances that your father will change his mind. Besides, I plan on marrying you in three weeks.”
My mouth dropped open.
“Three weeks? I don’t know if I can get a whole wedding planned by then.”
“Then I guess it’s a good thing that you’ve told me everything you want. I’ve already made all the arrangements.”
“But…you didn’t even know if my father would agree.”
Eddie shrugged. “I plan for what I want and expect it to happen. Marrying you has always been at the top of my list. All you need is a dress. The rest is handled.”
“Eddie, I don’t know what to say.”
“Just say yes.”
Smiling through the tears, I wrapped my arms around his neck, unable to keep away.
“Yes, a million times, yes,” I said against his lips before kissing him with all the love that was brewing inside of me.