68. -67-
Nina
My father had completely lost his fucking mind. That was the only explanation for the shitshow he created. Only a madman would call this survival!
But let’s start from the beginning, shall we?
I had lived in my grandfather’s mansion since my dad found out about me.
He often acted like an ass, but he wouldn’t allow his child to live in poverty.
His wife, on the other hand, refused to have a bastard under her roof, so Grandpa took me in without hesitation.
I knew every inch of this three-story Victorian mansion.
Every secret hall. Every hidden passage.
I could escape whenever I wanted and return unnoticed.
Grandpa knew I used his information to my advantage, but he waved it off when his guards told him about it.
He gave me as much freedom as he could before he started to drill mafia rules and responsibilities into me.
I was his favorite project, and I believed he truly cared for me.
He fucked up many times, yes, but when I needed him, he was always there, ready to wipe everyone out.
If he were alive, Sonny wouldn’t dare put a hand on me, and this circus would’ve never happened.
Anyway, I knew my grandpa wasn’t a saint.
His men brought me to watch an execution of a traitor so that I understood the world I lived in.
I sat at the table when he negotiated with Americans to steal money from Zyon.
His deal with Chester was abhorrent, using his wife and kid as leverage against Zyon.
I overheard a plan to hurt Amelia Santangelo, and I argued with him like crazy because the Zhumagulovs were one thing.
They weren’t our people. They weren’t even our allies.
But the Santangelo family? Grandpa crossed the line and completely stopped caring about who got caught in the crossfire.
Looking back, the signs had always been there. I just refused to see them because admitting the truth meant admitting Grandpa stopped being the man who raised me. He desperately needed money, and anyone who stood in his way was doomed.
The same was true of my father now. He’d stop at nothing to marry me to that bastard Sonny. But why?
The mattress sank beneath me when the man I’d never seen before threw me onto the bed like a rag doll.
It was the fourth time I tried to escape, and Dad’s new minions caught me.
It was impossible. I used passages no one should’ve known existed.
Yet they intercepted me every single time.
They knew exactly where every hidden corridor led.
“I’ll try again.” I lifted my chin in defiance, glaring at the man who had slapped me before.
“And I’ll bring you back again,” he replied nonchalantly.
“Do they pay you enough for the trouble?” I pointed at the massive dark circle on his cheek. He also sported a split lip and bite marks on his neck and the back of his hand.
“Don’t push me, pretty face,” he snarled.
“Why not?” I smiled sweetly. “Must be frustrating getting beaten by someone you’re forbidden to touch.”
His thin lips twisted, and he looked as if he fought himself not to punch me.
I laughed more just to provoke the shit out of the bastard when the door opened, and in that split second when my eyes landed on the familiar scarred face with a typical lethal expression, I understood why all my attempts failed.
Dino Monteverde, my grandfather’s most loyal lapdog.
He knew this house maybe even better than I did.
After his parents died in a fire, he lived here until Grandpa sent him to Europe, where he built a name and reputation as a ruthless mercenary who made the impossible happen.
The only man who had ever survived him was Zyon Zhumagulov.
Everyone else became a story people only whispered about.
“Still causing trouble, piccola,” Dino said in his usual profound lecturing voice. “Giovanni wouldn’t be pleased.”
“What are you doing here?” I asked, ignoring his remark.
“I came for your wedding.” He smiled in that crooked way that made my stomach twist with dread. The scar through his lips was from a fight when he saved my dad’s life. “Did you think I’d miss it?”
“You did miss it.” I stood from the bed, watching his every move. My instincts were on full alert at the mere sight of his intimidating presence. At six foot five, with the reflexes of a cat and decades of killing behind him, he was almost impossible to beat one-on-one.
“You’re getting married today,” he said, but his brows furrowed. Over the years, he learned that I didn’t bullshit around.
“No, monstro.” I shook my head, and normally I would’ve smiled, but telling him this was dangerous. “I got married a few weeks ago.”
“What?” His eyes narrowed, auburn hair falling across his forehead as he took an abrupt step closer, and I flinched back. “Oooh, don’t be scared, piccola. I would never hurt you. You know that, right?”
“Do I?” I fisted my palms. “You work for my father.”
“I don’t.” He nodded at the man who stood at the end of my bed to leave, and he obeyed without a second thought. “I promised Giovanni I would always be by your side. I’m here to fulfill that promise.”
“As if I believe you,” I scoffed, shaking my head angrily. “You abandoned him!”
“He ordered me to stay alive!” Dino raised his voice. “You need me.”
“I don’t,” I snarled. “I win my own battles.”
“Looks like it, piccola.” He lifted his arms and pointed around us. “You’re a prisoner in your own palace. Is this the victory you chased?”
I bit my tongue to stop a stupid, immature retort from escaping. He had a point. This was exactly what I didn’t imagine.
“Who did you marry, Nina?” Dino asked in a softer voice. “Is it someone who can help with all of this?”
A genuine smile lifted my lips.
“Of course.” I rounded the bed confidently. “He’ll be here in no time.”
“Are you sure?” Dino smirked, crossing his arms over his chest. “Your prince is about three hours late.”
After another three hours, I began questioning Zyon’s title as King of New York. Shouldn’t he know exactly what happened in every corner? Why the hell hadn’t they barged through the door yet?
That question was answered half an hour later when a terrified servant who had worked for my family for years brought me a simple white long dress with lacy sleeves.
“I’m sorry, Miss Nina,” she whispered, setting the white strappy sandals beside the bed.
“I didn’t know. I would’ve called you.” She glanced at the closed door, lowering her voice so it was barely audible.
“Your father is pretending to be in Colombia. But never left.” She swallowed thickly, fear crossing her face.
“Whatever he’s planning… he doesn’t want anyone to know he’s here.
” Her hand squeezed mine tightly, her chin quivering. “Be careful, Miss Nina.”
“I’ll be fine.” I touched her shoulder gently. “Everything will be fine.”
She nodded and left the room when Dino appeared on the threshold.
“Not only is your prince late.” He tapped with his thick index finger against his worn-out silver watch. “But the groom is late, too. Looks like he got drunk last night.”
“Poor him.” I rolled my eyes, not at all interested in Sonny. Folding my arms over my chest, I turned to the window, which offered a spectacular view of the garden, and thought about what I’d just heard. But it didn’t make any sense.
No one outside the Zhumagulovs and Lucas knew about my marriage. Dad wasn’t hiding from Dorian. He didn’t even know Dorian existed. So who was he trying to fool?
“I checked your marriage, by the way.” Dino stood beside me, glancing at the garden like it was the most interesting thing he had ever seen. “There is no mention of you getting married.”
My heart painfully missed a beat. The marriage certificate fuckery was about to kick my ass.
“Don’t worry. It’s legit,” I lied through my teeth, avoiding looking at him. He’d see through my mask in an instant.
“If you say so, piccola.” He shrugged, turning to leave. “But get dressed. Just in case your husband forgets to show up.”
He winked at me and walked out with that infuriating half-smile plastered across his scarred face.
The lock clicked. Silence swallowed the room. I stared at the closed door for a long moment before dropping onto the edge of the bed.
“Come on, Dorian,” I whispered, rubbing my trembling hands together.
But another hour had passed. Then another.
My gaze drifted toward the wedding dress hanging beside the wardrobe. For the first time since they’d dragged me into this house, a tiny, unwelcome seed of doubt took root.
“Where the fuck are you, Dorian?”
Itried to escape again. What did I have to lose? They clearly didn’t intend to kill me, so in my head, another attempt made perfect sense. But of course, Dino caught me halfway through climbing out of the basement window.
He didn’t say a word. Yet, instead of dragging me back to my room, he steered me toward Grandpa’s old office.
My throat tightened. I hadn’t stepped inside since the funeral.
The familiar scent of cigars, leather, and old books wrapped around me, dragging memories to the surface before I could stop them. My eyes burned, and I closed them for a second, forcing the emotions back where they belonged.
Later. I could mourn later.
“Hello, Nina,” Dad greeted coldly as the door clicked shut behind me.
I opened my eyes. He sat in Grandpa’s massive leather armchair, half-hidden in the shadow of the bookshelves, as though he’d already claimed everything the old man had left behind.
“Dad.” I straightened instinctively. “Why am I here?”
“You’re getting married today.” He stood and walked to the light, the sight of him knocking the air out of my lungs.
“What happened to you?” I yelled, words escaping me on instinct.
The swollen black eye, split lip, and thin, crimson marks resembling a garrote wire around his neck were enough to pull me out of my element. I quickly scanned him from head to toe, but the black slacks and blue cashmere sweater didn’t give away any more.
“That’s not important right now.” He waved my question off, but I noticed his bloody knuckles.
Fuck! My father never fought! He hated physical confrontations!
“Not important?” I crossed the room in two long strides, grabbing his wrist before he could pull away. “Dad…what the fuck is going on?”
He didn’t reply. His shoulders sagged slightly, and for the first time in my life, my father looked… defeated. As though he’d been losing a battle for far longer than I realized.
“I tried, sweetie,” he mumbled, barely audible, his hand gently cupping my chin. “I swear I tried. But…” He exhaled heavily. “You don’t have a choice.”
“Choice about what?” I asked, my fingers encircling his wrist. “I don’t understand.”
“Your grandfather—”
The explosion that made the windows shake resonated from the outside, cutting him off. In a split second, Dino and five of his men stormed inside the office, followed by another explosion.
“Why the fuck is the Zhumagulov army outside?” Dino yelled, glaring at my father. “You said—”
“I know what I said,” Dad barked, peeking from behind the heavy curtain. “I have no idea why they are here.”
A smile grazed my lips. Their confusion was adorable.
“Actually.” I folded my arms over my chest, all eyes in the room watching me. “I know exactly why they’re here.” Another explosion thundered through the mansion, and I looked straight at my father. “My husband came to take me home.”