17. Tori
TORI
The next twenty-four hours went by in a blur.
After explaining to my very-relieved stepmother that we’d mended our marital rift, Stefan further informed her that he planned to take very good care of me and that we’d head back to Chicago the next day (in the process nearly charming the pants off Michelle, just as he had the first time they met).
Then he took us out for a fancy dinner and slept with me in my tiny twin bed, holding me close all night long.
In the morning he made a few calls and arranged to have my clothes, my things, my life, packed back up and sent home.
Home. Our home. It was amazing he was able to get anything done, since we both seemed to be having a hard time taking our eyes—and hands—off of each other.
By the time we pulled up to the valet stand at our condominium that afternoon, my body was deliciously sore from all the intense sex, but I still couldn’t get enough.
We tumbled into bed again, and once we caught our breath afterwards, Stefan told me that he wanted to make sure his family understood my place in his life. Now that we had officially pledged to have a real life together, he wanted it to start now.
“They need to see that we’re a united front,” Stefan said, getting up to grab his phone off the dresser. “Especially my father.”
My pulse kicked up just thinking about Konstantin’s strong dislike of me. “What are you planning?” I asked.
“We’ll hold a dinner here for everyone,” he said. “Tonight.”
I sat up straighter. “Tonight? There’s no time.”
He waved his hand, unconcerned. “Gretna will make it happen. I’ll pay her double overtime and have her bring in a few extra staff if need be.”
“Okay…” I said, nodding. “What about Anja and Max? They should be here too.”
My stomach dropped even as I said the words, but I tried not to show my nervousness. I didn’t want Stefan to think I’d bolt over the situation with Anja again. As if he could read my mind, Stefan came back over to the bed and took my face in his hands.
“You’re the one I chose,” he reminded me. “And yes, I do want Anja to come tonight. But not Max. This isn’t about him, it’s about you and me. I need Anja to come to terms with my choices and see that I’m committed to my marriage, without worrying what Max might think.”
It made me feel better to hear him say that.
“If this is what you want,” I told him. “Then let’s do it. Let’s go all out.”
Stefan made a few calls to his family and put Anja in touch with a babysitter that Gretna saved the day by recommending.
Once he hung up, we took a quick shower and then got to work.
Stefan had the housekeeper come over for an emergency deep clean, and I was put in charge of making sure dinner would be ready on time, which meant conferring with Gretna about the menu and sending her to the store immediately to get all the necessary ingredients for a lavish meal for six.
It was going to be me, Stefan, Anja, my father-in-law, Luka, and Emzee.
Our preparations were all last minute, but thank goodness we had an amazing staff who were happy to help us pull it together.
My husband’s years of being a generous and fair employer were really paying off.
Out of everyone we’d invited, the only person I was excited to see was my sister-in-law. Stefan had admitted that on his way to Springfield, she’d called him to explain why I’d left Chicago. So, thanks to Emzee, he understood exactly what had happened. I would always be grateful to her for that.
As I fussed over my makeup and hair, which I put in a French twist, I tried to tell myself everything would work out with Stefan by my side.
I knew the dinner on the table was going to be incredible, but no matter how much I repeated positive mantras to myself, I couldn’t shake the feeling that the whole thing was going to be a nightmare. I’d never been more intimidated.
With minutes left until everyone was set to arrive, and the staff busting their butts in the living room and kitchen, I stole away to our bedroom to finally get dressed.
Flipping through my hangers in the closet, I tried not to panic.
I wanted to look confident, powerful, poised.
Like someone who belonged with Stefan, who was equal to the Zorics—even Konstantin.
“This one,” Stefan murmured in my ear, coming up behind me to reach over my shoulder.
The knee-length dress he chose was a deep shade of burgundy, body-skimming without being tight, and made of a slightly slinky fabric that gathered in an artful knot over the left hip.
“Why burgundy?” I questioned doubtfully. I loved the dress, but it seemed a little flashy.
“Because,” he said, turning me toward him. “You have absolutely no reason to hide.” He kissed me, and I melted in his arms. “And besides, it looks amazing on you.”
I changed quickly and put on the diamond earrings that Stefan had given me recently. He’d said they were a symbol that he and I were a pair. I could reach up and touch them if I felt unsure, and they’d serve as a reminder of his devotion to me. To our life. Our little family.
Standing in the doorway of the living room just before seven, I gave myself a moment to take it all in.
Our staff had done an incredible job—managing to make the place even more luxurious and opulent than ever.
It looked more like a fancy restaurant than a private home with fresh flowers everywhere, a gorgeous spread of cheese and fruit already set out, a hand-stitched linen tablecloth spread across the table, its gold threads glinting in the candlelight.
There were thick candles set out on every available surface, their light giving the space a warm, homey glow.
Our exquisite Haviland and Parlon dishes and silverware were set out, their dramatic combination of black and gold very much in line with my husband’s aesthetic—strong and masculine, yet perfectly stylish.
The condo looked impressive and smelled even better.
As nervous as I was, my mouth still watered at the sight of all the fancy European cheeses, the split figs with golden honey, the spiced almonds and green olives and prosciutto. There was even caviar and tiny pickles. And that was just the appetizer. I could have easily made a whole meal out of it.
“This looks incredible,” I told Gretna as she fussed with the table settings one last time. “I feel like you’re our fairy godmother. I can’t thank you enough.”
She only grinned and flashed me a wink, passing me a rolled-up slice of paper-thin prosciutto she’d speared with a toothpick. It tasted like heaven.
The doorbell rang and I almost jumped out of my skin. Stefan came over to take my hand, sending one of the staff to get the door. In his Armani suit, he looked good enough to eat.
“We’re in control,” he soothed me. “This is our home, and this dinner is on our terms.”
“I know,” I said, nodding, though I was well aware that my father-in-law would probably still do whatever he could to maintain the upper hand.
I wondered if Konstantin had any idea what he was up against. Stefan had always been careful around his father, doing his best to get along with the man and feigning compliance and tractability.
They’d had arguments in the past, sure, but I had a feeling my father-in-law would be truly shocked to discover what his son was capable of if pushed too far.
And I was pretty sure Stefan—thanks to his father’s threats to me and our marriage—had finally been pushed too far. Tonight he was going to let Konstantin know, in no uncertain terms, that we were a team and that nothing could come between us.
Suddenly a squeal pierced the air and as I turned around, a set of perfumed arms had flung themselves around me. “Emzee,” I said, smiling so big my cheeks hurt.
“I’m so glad you’re back!” she told me, squeezing me tight.
I hugged her back. “I’m so glad you got here first,” I said.
“Don’t be nervous. I’m on your team,” she said, flashing a confident grin.
Besides Stefan, she was the one member of the family I loved and trusted completely.
“Ooh, I spy green olives and cornichons with my name on them. Can we sit?” she asked.
We settled down at the table with Stefan and chatted a little bit about how she was doing, my stomach clenching when the doorbell soon rang again. This time it was Luka. He walked in, looking as handsome as always, but a little rumpled and unsteady on his feet.
“Dear brother, you are clearly intoxicated,” Emzee scolded, but she said it teasingly. She pushed away from the table and ran over to hug him.
His pregaming certainly didn’t stop him from heading straight to the bar and pouring himself another drink, though Emzee followed and tried—unsuccessfully—to take it away.
“It’s fine,” Stefan said. “As long as he behaves himself.”
Luka just laughed and took a seat.
I wasn’t the biggest fan of my brother-in-law, but I thought I could understand why he drank like he did. If Konstantin was my father, I’d probably have a drinking problem too.
Konstantin and Anja were the last to arrive, and they came together.
Part of me had almost expected Konstantin to disregard Stefan’s request that Max stay home and bring the boy along anyway, if for no other reason than to assert that he, as the family patriarch, was the Zoric in charge around here.
I was glad to see that he had actually honored Stefan’s wishes.
Maybe it was a sign that he was interested in diplomacy after all.
Anja, as a former model, looked predictably flawless, wearing a black dress that swirled over the floor as she walked, the neckline featuring a daring slit that was cut so low it hit her sternum, but was so narrow that there was no cleavage visible.
“That dress is incredible,” I told her warmly. “You look great.” And I meant it. Seeing her up close again was actually a lot less stressful than I had imagined. Now that I knew where I stood with Stefan, and we had renewed our vows to each other, I had nothing to fear from her.