Chapter Six
Viktor’s POV.
Black was the dress code of the day, and I was pleased that this impromptu reception had turned out well.
The chandeliers shimmered in amber and white, flower vases of tulips and roses arrayed in a linear pattern at each side of the table, and quite a number of my fellow associates lit their cigars until the smoke rose linearly to the top.
To me, this was the ultimate bond of power.
I could even feel the tension in the atmosphere.
The men in black hand gloves were the ones who did most of the dirty work.
The killers, also known as my heartless men.
The ones with the dark shades were mostly the guards who kept a good eye on everyone and everything.
Even an insect could trigger their attention.
And the ladies were the brains behind the brawn.
We had associates with every sector in the country: the NYPD, the district attorney, Navy Seals, senators, and governors as well.
We sat in an order of hierarchy. Dmitri sat beside me at my right hand, wearing both a black hand glove and dark shades. My attention shifted to the faces of my members who looked at me keenly, their stern looks lifting almost immediately when the door behind us opened.
My wife, Emilia, walked into the mansion with her head raised high, revealing her smooth chin and graceful neck.
She didn't walk as though she was scared of anything.
With every step she made, I pictured how much she had a resemblance to the American actress, Marilyn Monroe.
And I thought the gown accentuated her innocence—an innocence which I believed would be far gone the moment I let her into my inner chamber and informed her about all my dealings with the Bratva and the associates.
I was happy she wore the gown. Indeed, it heightened her elegance and beauty.
But the look my guards gave her seemed to be almost repellent.
I took a large gulp of my Scottish wine, stood up from my chair, and reached for her lower back with my hand.
The material she wore was thick, yet I felt the sensation flow through me as though I touched her bare skin.
Her eyes looked into mine, and I could tell that no matter how much she resented me, she still needed me.
I was her safe space, and being my wife, I was in total control of her.
“Wow!” I turned to see Isabella Mozorov stand in awe. She threw her hair to the back and stood upright before walking towards us. “You look adorable.” She said, “Come take a seat with me, darling.”
Emilia smiled and sat between us. I didn't mind letting them get along since Isabella was a prominent insider. She was one of those with whom I felt more of a family dynamic than just an ally, all because of Mikhail.
“I think I've seen my better half brother.” He said during the reception of our wedding.
“I guess I might be the next to marry after all.” I smiled.
Isabella was indeed a naughty type of girl, and she fit Mikhail's nonchalance.
Theirs is a bit of a toxic relationship.
They were both possessive: both claiming to be the alpha.
Although I watched them for years, I thought they were the perfect quintessence of romance.
I, on the other hand, had been dead to romance for a very long time, and I thank my dear papa for it.
“I must say that Viktor hit a gold mine with you. If not for his power, he would've found it hard to get a hold of you.” Emilia stayed silent, and I looked at Isabella, who winked at me. It felt odd, but such courage dazzled me.
“Are you afraid of these people?” she asked her.
“Not really,” Emilia replied.
“Don't worry about them. You belong to Viktor now. Although all the men look tough on the outside, and I bet you they are twice as tough on the inside, they're all ravaging wolves, my dear. Even your dear husband himself.”
“We aren't wolves, Isabella, so tone it down,” I utter in a low growl, and she sighs. Emilia looked at me with a smile—a rarity I never thought I'd see in this gathering. But here I sat, attracted to it.
The once silent reception arose in little whispers I couldn't help but overhear.
“Our political rivals are enraged.”
“I think our letter got into the wrong hands.”
“Senator Romano started this war.”
“Yes, he did. If he had paid back what he owes, his daughter wouldn't have been associated with any of this.”
“They actually think they could use Emilia as leverage to get to Viktor.”
Emilia looked at me with concern. Her pupils dilated, and her shoulders relaxed, seeming defeated.
“Don't listen to them,” I said, and she sighed. “Stay with me, and hopefully we'll get through the evening in peace.”
“Can I talk to you for a moment?” Dimitri asked with his thumb pointing to the back.
I stood up and followed behind. Dmitri wasn't the type to talk much about anything, and for him to call my attention meant that whatever information he had was of high importance.
“What's the matter, Dimitri?”
“I overheard what they all said, boss, and from my perspective, things aren't good.”
“What do you mean?”
“One of our boys caught sight of Senator Romano yesterday.”
“Where?” I asked.
“Around Times Square. He said he overheard the senator on a phone call saying something about a raid in order to kidnap your wife.”