Chapter 27
Y ulianna
I ached all over in the best way possible.
When Eddie said he could go all night if I wanted, I’d thought he was boasting, but I should’ve known better. There was literally nothing in the world he couldn’t do once he set his mind to it.
He was so close to taking the reins of power from his father and becoming a Don. Mr. Genovese had already announced Eddie as his successor when he retired next year. That put him in the perfect position to eventually move up to a Don of Dons. It would be tricky, even with all of his hard work. Enemies would be made and there would be new alliances as well. Unfortunately, it wouldn’t happen before my wedding to Christov.
I giggled as the pedicurist found a ticklish spot on my foot.
Ella touched my arm and then looked around conspiratorially before she started to sign.
Eddie is here, isn’t he?
I blushed.
What makes you say that?
You’re glowing brighter than the sun. Is he why we’re here?
I bit my lip and nodded.
I did want to see you again before my wedding to jerk face. But yes, Eddie is here. My mother is being shockingly supportive.
Ella looked over at my mom, who had her eyes closed while her hands were massaged after the manicure.
She loves you. I think she’s felt as trapped by her life as you do. She just didn’t have the kick - the - door - down attitude you have.
I agreed.
“Hey, what are you two chatting about? I feel left out,” Frida said from the chair on my other side.
“Just how beautiful it is here,” I lied for the sake of any potential ears.
It really was stunning. I loved how they had a quasi-private area that was shaded and looked out over the pool and the beach beyond. Everything was so bright and fresh. I picked up a strawberry and took a bite. Even the fruit was sweeter here.
“Well, I guess you didn’t lie after all.”
His vile voice was a mix of sucking on a lemon while someone ran their nails down a chalkboard.
The strawberry suddenly tasted sour as I looked up to see Christov tainting the view as well.
“What the hell are you doing here,” I asked, tempted to grab the bottle of champagne and throw it at him.
“Needed to make sure you weren’t pulling a disappearing act, so I asked your father where I could find you. Thought I might have to hunt you down and drag you back by your hair.”
I opened my mouth to tell him off, but my mother stood up so fast it shocked me. She marched over to Christov, and the cocky expression on his face quickly faded.
“You are not welcome here,” she told Christov before addressing the spa staff. “Can you please give us a moment?”
The girls nodded and seemed relieved to be out of the middle of what was about to go down as they slipped out.
Mother turned her glare back to Christov.
“Did you not hear me? I said you’re not welcome here.”
“Fine, I’ll go. But I booked myself for the week, so I’ll be around.”
He turned away, but my mother grabbed his arm.
“You will leave this hotel and this country immediately.”
She snapped her fingers, and not only did Vlad and Mylo walk over, but so did her guards.
“If you don’t, then I’ll make sure that Vadin cancels this farce of a wedding,” she growled.
“You don’t have the power to do that,” Christov snarked, scowling at my mother.
“Oh yeah? Try me and watch how quickly your father is no longer sitting on the board of Mikhailov Industries.” His smirk faded. “And if you ever threaten my daughter like that again, I’ll have my guards gut you. Now are you going to leave on your own, or do you need to be unceremoniously thrown out on your ass?”
My mouth dropped open. I’d never, not once, heard my mother speak so forcefully. For the first time in my life, it felt like she not only understood me but was truly on my side.
Christov’s jaw twitched, and anger filled his eyes as he glanced at me before giving a curt nod to my mother.
“I guess I’ll be leaving.” He looked around. “This wasn’t that nice of a place to stay anyway.”
“Leave the country. That’s an order,” Mother said, but when Christov moved to the side, I spotted Alina by the pool.
“Wait,” I said and then pointed. “That’s his mistress. She needs to go as well.”
Mylo immediately marched over. Alina looked terrified with the massive guard bearing down on her.
“You dare come here to check up on my daughter and bring a whore with you?”
I didn’t know what shocked me more, the fact that my mother used the word whore or that she pushed Christov in the chest.
“You’ll be lucky if Vadin doesn’t have you castrated the moment you step off the plane.”
Christov looked dumbfounded while Frida tried to cover her giggle.
“Take your trash and get out. Don’t ever disrespect my family like this again, Christov, or I’ll make sure you pay,” she threatened before looking up at her guard. “I don’t trust him. Make sure that they are safely on their plane and take off. I want to be notified if he simply buzzes around like a fly before landing again.”
He nodded and snatched Christov’s arm. Vlad didn’t hesitate to grab the other. We watched as Christov and Alina were dragged out, but it was the look in Christov’s eyes that told me he intended to get his revenge. How? I didn’t know, but he would make me pay.
What just happened? I couldn’t read anyone’s lips .
I quickly signed what was said in the exchange, and she covered her mouth.
I don’t trust Christov. He has a darkness inside him.
Neither do I.
“I don’t believe the nerve,” Mother said after they were gone.
“Thank you for making him leave,” I said as I stood up and hugged her. “You have no idea how much what you just did means to me.”
Mother smoothed back my wildly blowing hair.
“I wish I could do more. I hope you know that if I really could stop this wedding, I would. Luckily, my bluff about his father worked.”
“I do, and of course it did. You were fierce,” I said, making her blush.
Sighing, she looked down.
“I’ll try one more time, Yuli. But don’t get your hopes up. Your father is exactly like a donkey, a stubborn old ass,” she said, and we all laughed even though I wanted to cry.
I hadn’t heard truer words.
“Do you really think he called Father?”
“That’s a good question. I’m going to go find out because if he did, then he’s going to get an ear full.” Grabbing her towel, my mother stomped away.
With my mood completely ruined, I sat back down. Frida was on my right, and Ella kneeled in front of me.
“Are you okay,” Frida asked, rubbing my back, and I shook my head.
“It’s stupid, but being here, I’ve felt free. I let myself believe that I was safe from Christov in this magical place. But he just proved that it doesn’t matter what I do or where I go. He’s set on making my life a living hell.” I wiped away the tears that were now freely flowing. “It’s a good thing that Eddie didn’t see him, or he’d be shark food.”
Is that such a bad thing? Ella signed, and I snorted.
Frida looked at me expectantly.
“Ella just asked if that was such a bad thing?”
Frida laughed. “Definitely not. I say cut him up small, so they never find a single piece.”
“Wow, I’m never getting on your bad side,” I said, nudging her shoulder with mine.
“I’m serious. I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again. There is something wrong with that guy.”
“Like I wouldn’t be suspect number one if he and his mistress disappeared from the same resort after they came looking for me?” I shook my head and rubbed the goosebumps on my arms.
“We’ll make sure we’re somewhere very public with lots of witnesses. We all know Edmundo will do it.”
God, it was tempting.
Mom walked back inside with her phone in hand. “Your father gave him the location.”
“Well, at least we don’t have to worry about him stalking you,” Frida offered, but it didn’t feel comforting. I wouldn’t put it past the crazy jerk.
“Why would he do that,” I asked.
“Apparently, he thought you two could connect and find some peace away from home. I informed him that Christov brought his mistress and that he and Christov are both idiots. I also told him to stay out of matchmaking because he was doing a terrible job.” Mom sat down beside Frida. “Men are fools.”
All but one. Eddie was different, and I wasn’t just some lovestruck girl wearing rose colored glasses. He was unique in every way. Frida was right. Eddie would kill Christov if I asked. He’d track him to the plane and kill him. But could I ask him to do that? Could I risk Eddie being caught and charged with murder of a politician’s son and an ally to my father…for me?
The answer to that was simple…no. I needed to fight my own battle and get away from this monster my way.
Besides, killing Christov didn’t guarantee a life with Eddie. In fact, it was less likely now that my father was hemorrhaging money. True to his promise of retribution for Vadin’s betrayal, Eddie had pulled all his deals and had actively blocked him from any alliances in Italy, France, Poland, and the UK. He then poured salt in the wound by making taking all the deals he had with Vadin and gave them to Dimitri. Mother said that he was trying to act unaffected, but she knew better. It was eating him alive. Good was all I could think. It served Vadin right for not seeing the potential in Eddie.
No, I would stick to my current plan and have no one to blame but myself if things went wrong. I could never risk Eddie’s future or his life.