Chapter 5
VALENTINA
I stand before my closet, contemplating my arsenal of dresses.
Today isn't just another shopping trip with my friends.
It's another opportunity to chip away at Cristian's resolve.
"Too modest… too girlish… too boring," I mutter, pushing hangers aside as I search for the perfect dress.
My gaze lands on a deep purple dress tucked between two basic black dresses.
I pull it free, holding it against my body as I turn to the mirror.
The dress is sinfully short, with a neckline that plunges between my breasts.
I'd bought it on impulse months ago but haven’t had a chance to wear it yet.
I slip out of my robe and step into the dress.
The fabric clings to every curve, leaving little to imagination.
"Perfect.” I twist to see how the dress hugs my backside. Cristian's eyes will certainly follow me in this.
If this doesn't crack his precious control, nothing will.
I step into strappy heeled gold sandals and add a delicate gold necklace that draws attention to my collarbone, just above the swells of my breasts.
I smile at my reflection, already imagining Cristian's face when he sees me.
He’ll scowl to cover the flicker of interest.
I sling my purse over my shoulder and open my bedroom door, almost colliding with a solid chest.
My teasing smile freezes when I realize it's not Cristian standing there, but Alessandro.
My brother's eyes narrow as they travel from my face down to my heels and back again. "What the hell are you wearing?" His voice is quiet, the kind of quiet that precedes someone’s death in our world.
I lift my chin. "It's called fashion, Alessandro. Not that you'd know, with your endless parade of black suits."
"Go change." He blocks my path, arms crossed. "Now."
“No.”
His jaw clenches tightly.
It reminds me of our father, who often was at a loss of words when it came to my defiance.
Alessandro is the epitome of like father, like son.
“This is not how you represent the family.”
I scoff. “I’m not being handed over to Maksim because of love or my intelligence. It’s for this.” I gesture to my body. “Let’s not pretend otherwise.”
“Fucking hell, Valentina. It’s not that… at least not all. This is disrespectful to you and the family.”
"Respect?" I laugh. "How is it respect when all I am is a commodity? You can have twenty percent of the cut and my sister’s virginity, Maksim. Deal?”
Alessandro’s eyes flicker with guilt, but he quickly hides it. "This marriage keeps the peace. Hundreds of our men stay alive because of our sacrifice."
"Our sacrifice? At least call it what it is, Brother. You're not sacrificing anything. I am."
Before he can respond, Cristian appears at the end of the hall.
He stops mid-stride, his eyes widening before quickly dropping to the floor.
But not before I catch the flash of heat in them.
"Don Dante, The car is ready whenever Miss Dante is."
“What do you think, Cristian? Should she change?”
Cristian shifts. His response hesitates.
“You’re such a dick, Alessandro. You can’t order Cristian to check out my assets or you’ll have to kill him.”
Alessandro clears his through. “The car can wait. My sister needs to change first."
"I'm not changing," I declare, moving past Alessandro toward Cristian. "We're already late."
Cristian waits because Alesandro has more power over him than I do. I simply keep moving toward the stairs.
Alessandro sighs. “Keep an eye on her.”
“Yes, sir.”
When we reach the car, Cristian opens the door and I slide in, and he follows me.
As our driver puts the car in gear and heads up the driveway, Cristian leans in close and speaks in a low tone. "You're playing with fire, Valentina."
I smile. "Good thing I've never been afraid of getting burned."
Fifteen minutes later, I'm being escorted to a fancy boutique shopped by the rich and famous of Long Island.
Inside, squeals of delight greet me as Sofia, Giana Moretti, and Teresa rush forward.
They're Mafia princesses like me.
Spoiled and perhaps vain, but they're small vices when you consider our lives are not our own.
"The bride-to-be!" Sofia rushes over and hugs me.
“Oh my God, look at that dress. It’s positively gorgeous on you,” Giana exclaims.
“And sexy.” Teresa waggles her brows.
“Come one, we've pulled everything gorgeous for your trousseau.” Sofia loops her arm through mine, leading me toward a private room adorned with champagne flutes and petit fours.
Cristian positions himself by the entrance. I catch his reflection in the three-way mirror as I slip behind a velvet curtain.
"Try this first." Teresa passes a shimmering gold gown over the curtain. "It'll make Maksim's eyes pop out."
For a moment, I rethink this sexy persona. I don’t want Maksim's lewd eyes scraping over my body.
But I push him out of my mind and focus on Cristian and breaking his control.
I slide into the dress and then step out of the dressing room to a chorus of admiring gasps.
"You look like a goddess." Giana circles me, adjusting the fabric that pools at my feet.
"A proper Pakhan’s wife," Sofia adds with an envious smile.
I force a smile, twirling for their benefit while sneaking a glance at Cristian.
His expression remains neutral, but his fingers flex then relax as they hang clasped in front of him.
A silver beaded gown follows, then a midnight blue number that makes my skin look luminous.
In between each, I drink champagne, wanting to enjoy the occasion.
"Now for the most important part," Sofia announces, leading us toward the back of the store where lace and silk lingerie hang.
"What will you wear on your wedding night?" Giana holds up a sheer white negligee, waggling her eyebrows.
"Something to make Maksim lose his mind," Teresa suggests, riffling through a rack of teddies and bustiers.
I run my fingers over delicate fabrics, trying to hide the growing fear of becoming Maksim’s wife. "I doubt Maksim cares what I wear underneath.”
Sofia holds up a black corset with red ribbon ties. "Try this. It's wicked."
I hold it against my body, catching my reflection.
The girl staring back doesn’t have the enthusiasm of a bride to be.
I hate Alessandro for putting me in this position, even as I know I agreed to it.
I shake my head at the thought of Maksim. "What do you think, girls?" I turn, forcing lightness into my voice. "Too much?"
"It's perfect." Elena claps. "You'll look like sin itself."
"But what does your stoic guardian think?" Giana's eyes dart mischievously toward Cristian. "He's been so quiet."
Good question considering my mission to seduce him.
"Cristian," I call. "Come give us a man's opinion."
He remains rooted by the entrance, his gaze showing irritation. "That's not appropriate, Miss Dante."
"Please?" I press, emboldened by champagne and my friends' encouraging giggles. "If I were marrying you instead, what would you want to see me in?"
Something dangerous flashes across Cristian's face as he finally approaches, stopping before getting too close.
"If you were mine, what you wore underneath wouldn't matter." His eyes burn into mine. "Because I wouldn't be thinking about taking it off. I'd be memorizing every inch of you I uncovered."
My breath catches.
All I can think is, yes, this is what I want.
A man to desire me in a way that isn’t about control or breaking me.
He clears his throat. "Though the black would look stunning against your skin," he adds, stepping back as if remembering himself.
My friends burst into delighted laughter.
"Well, that settles it!" Sofia takes the corset from me. "The black it is."
But I barely hear her. All I can focus on is the thundering of my pulse at his words.
My friends gather my things for me and I pay, arranging them to be delivered.
Then it’s off to meet Maksim at the Yacht club venue for the wedding. He meets me inside.
It’s a beautiful location, and yet, all I feel is the cold reality that this is the place where I’ll be bound to him for the rest of my life.
As I approach Maksim, his dark eyes appraise me like I’m a prized horse.
"My beautiful bride," he calls. "Come, let me look at you."
I force myself forward, feeling Cristian's warmth fade as he maintains a respectful distance behind me.
Maksim takes my hand, pressing his lips to my knuckles. His beard scratches my skin. "The perfect setting for our union, don't you think? God himself will witness our families becoming one."
I manage a smile. "It's beautiful."
His eyes drift down my body, lingering on my breasts. It makes my skin crawl. "You should dress like this when we’re married. Show off that fire of yours that I'm so looking forward to taming."
I fight the urge to pull away as his hand slides up my arm, his fingers brushing against my collarbone.
"Such soft skin. I look forward to exploring every inch of it on our wedding night."
Behind me, I sense Cristian tense.
"Perhaps," Maksim continues, his hand drifting lower, skimming the swells of my breasts, “we could move the ceremony up. Why wait to claim what's already mine?"
Cristian moves forward, a step that brings him just behind my right shoulder.
I’m relieved to feel his protection until Maksim raises a brow as if to ask what Cristian thinks he can do. I realize then the precarious situation I’ve put us in simply by wanting to torment Cristian like a silly teenage girl.
If Cristian does anything against Maksim, the war will escalate.
I hold a hand up to him and give him a silent plea to step down.
Cristian’s jaw tightens, but he gives a curt nod and steps back.
I turn back to Maksim, his eyes narrowed, his fingers still on my skin.
I playfully swat his hand away. "Now, now," I say with a flirtatious tone. "You'll have to control those wandering hands until our wedding night, Pakhan."
Maksim's lips curve into a slow, predatory smile. "Very well, my fiery one. I will wait. But on our wedding night…" His gaze rakes over me again, not bothering with the pretense of politeness. "I'll take my time with you, Valentina Dante. Teaching you the meaning of obedience."
The threat sends ice through my veins. I maintain my smile through sheer will. Behind me, Cristian shifts his weight.
“The wedding planner is waiting,” I say, desperate to break this moment. "Shall we?"
Maksim offers his arm, and I have no choice but to take it.
His muscles are like steel beneath my fingertips.
It’s a reminder of the strength he could use against me when we're alone.
When there's no Cristian or Alessandro to protect me.