2. Alek
ALEK
A few minutes earlier…
I’ve been waiting for Mia to arrive. Every time I know I will be gifted her presence, my heart races. There’s no way my son appreciates her or her beauty like I do.
I’m watching out of the window, friends, enemies, family, they all come pouring in, and I’m noticing I don’t see The Roswells anywhere.
I also don’t see Mia’s friends. Didn’t she tell them about the bridal shower?
I don’t see why a parent would miss an occasion like this—for their only daughter, too.
My instincts are never wrong. Something is going on with Mia, and I plan to figure it out. She’s family, even if the person I want her tied to, is me. I’d rather have her in my life than not at all.
When her car stops in front of valet, I’m out the door to greet her, excited to have another memory of her smiling at me. I don’t see Mia as much as I’d like to. She stays busy with Ivan. He’s always sending me updates on their plans.
My happiness comes to a stop when I see her climb out of the driver’s seat.
Alone.
My son isn’t with her. She has no security.
“Mia!” I call out her name and slowly jog over to her, wanting her to see how happy I am to see her.
Her short brown hair is a cute bob that settles below her chin. The wind sways the shining strands, and she tucks them behind her ear. Her big doe-like brown eyes catch the sun and shades of gold sparkle like spilled honey.
Breathtaking.
Absolutely breathtaking.
There’s the faintest dash of freckles across the bridge of her nose, spots that I find I want to kiss. Her cheeks a full and her lips are a shade of pink that have me believe they taste like cotton candy.
The longer I look at her, the more I notice things that are out of place.
“What happened here?” I growl, brushing my thumb across her busted lip.
I barely hear her speak. Fury consumes me. Blood rushes in my ears. My heart pounds. My fists clench at my sides. I’m trembling with rage.
Nonsense excuses about a damn door.
I look over my shoulder, doing my best to reel in my anger. I don’t ever want Mia to think my frustration is towards her.
“Where’s my son?” He’ll be hearing from me later. How dare he have her come here alone with a bruised fucking cheek and a busted lip.
I will not doom Mia to a lifetime of abuse.
I’m not a stupid man. I know the excuses she’s feeding me are lies.
Whatever my son is doing to her, I plan to find out.
I don’t give a fuck about the contract. I don’t give a fuck about the Roswell’s especially since I think Mia’s father is trying to take advantage of the kindness I’ve given them over the years.
They have relied on this wedding far too much.
I don’t think this is about power at all.
It’s about money. Business always is.
And I was a fool to plan an arranged marriage for Ivan and Mia before they were born. I was a different man. I wish now that I’d let them pick their own futures. Maybe then, Mia wouldn’t have the bruises she has.
Her pain is my fault.
“He said he’d be here.” She pauses, doing her best to lie for him. “He had an errand to run.”
“And you drove here? With no security? You shouldn’t be driving. It’s why I gave him extra security so neither of you are without.” The more questions I ask, the more enraged I become. How can my son call himself a good man and not make sure his fiancé is protected?
“Um. I wanted to drive. It’s no big deal. It’s the last little bit of independence I have.”
Lies. Every single word is a lie.
“Come on.” My hand drops to her lower back, and I don’t miss how she flinches from the unexpected touch. I keep my palm light against her, a whisper of my fingers dragging across her back. “Your bridal shower is about to start.”
If I find out Ivan is putting his hands on Mia in any way, son or not, I will kill him. Violence against woman is a matter I’ve always taken seriously. It’s one of the rules we have in my organization.
Always protect women.
We don’t have many rules to follow. Everything is on the line when it comes to my job. Lives are at stake. Money. Fame. Power. Territory. Employees. Enemies.
Everything is connected.
But harming woman will never be a part of it.
Mia doesn’t look up at me as walk inside. She keeps her eyes cast downward, staring at the floor as if she wishes it would swallow her whole.
I can’t seem to move my gaze from the bruise yellowing her cheek or the fresh cut on her lip. I want to drag her into a room and demand answers, but I know she won’t tell me. Now isn’t the time or the place.
“Wow. This place is beautiful. You didn’t have to shut down the entire building for me. You didn’t have to do any of this at all,” she says, her gaze finally peering up to the tall ceilings and glittering chandeliers that are hand polished.
Everything about this resort is luxury. From the rich green walls that are so dark, it almost looks like velvet. Leather chairs and benches are placed strategically and there’s a bar with handmade cocktails in every room. People pay for the rich life here and I always follow through.
A man and woman come up to us. Gregory Avchek and his wife, Belinda. They own a stretch of fine jewelry stores across the entire west coast. They’re wealthy and also allow me to sell any diamonds they import through the black market.
“Alek. It’s good to see you.” His hand slaps against mine is a firm shake and he tries to be the one to apply more pressure, but he doesn’t expect me to pull him in and squeeze his shoulder.
“Gregory. Thanks for coming.” I turn to Belinda, dropping my hand to Mia’s waist again so she doesn’t feel alone. “Belinda.” I press a kiss to her wrinkled cheeks. “Lovely to see you. You look marvelous.”
And she did. Her long grey hair is styled with volume, her heavy oversized sunglasses atop of her head as if she’s ready to step into the sun and walk the red carpet. Her dress hugs her lean frame, a slinky silk dress paired with a large pearl necklace.
“Thank you, Darling. And you must be Mia,” Belinda bends down and kisses her cheeks too in greeting. “Aren’t you just so sweet. You’re beautiful. Congratulations on your wedding. I bet you’re so excited. Have you found a dress?”
“Thank you so much. I love your necklace,” Mia compliments.
I make note. She likes pearls. Good to know.
“And yes, I did find a wedding dress.”
I notice the tight smile she forces, pretending to be happy. Does she not like her dress? The wedding is only a few days away. There’s no time to replace it. I’m sure I could call in some favors but by then, it would be too late.
“Well, I can’t wait to see it. You’re going to be stunning. Ivan is a lucky man.”
Mia’s entire face flushes and if I’m not mistaken, her eyes well. “Oh, you’re so sweet. Thank you. I’m so excited. A little nervous, of course, but excited.”
Lies.
“Nothing can compare than spending the rest of your life with your best friend. You’ll love it. Marriage is fun. If you do it right, it keeps you young.”
I check my watch, noticing it’s time to get the bridal party started. “Looks like it’s show time. We’ll see you two later. Thank you again for coming and showing your support for Mia.”
“Yes,” Mia hurries to chime in. “Thank you.”
I guide Mia toward the room her shower is in and whisper into her ear, “I don’t know what’s going on with you. What I do know is that I don’t like it. I will find out the truth. I always do.”
She peers up at me with her sad brown eyes, melting the brutal man I am inside. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
More Lies.
“That’s okay, Mia. You don’t have to tell me the truth. I’ve built an empire on lies. You’d be foolish to think I wouldn’t be able to tell the difference when someone isn’t being forthcoming to me.”
“I—I—” she stammers, and I press a finger over her mouth to silence her.
“No need to explain. Let’s get through this shower and we’ll figure out everything else, okay?” I can’t help myself. I drag my knuckles across her cheek, her skin sparking against mine like a match trying to catch aflame.
She flinches again, stepping away with a curt nod.
There it is again. The fury.
“I’m taking the seat next to you since Ivan isn’t here. Food will be served as we open gifts. So, people aren’t sitting there staring at you. I didn’t think you’d like that.” I take her hand and walk away, only to be tugged when she doesn’t follow.
This time, her smile is real. It’s genuine. “How did you know that?”
I gently pull her down the main aisle, passing tables covered with light purple tablecloths, her favorite color.
“And how did you know my favorite color?”
I pay attention.
It’s impossible not to know. She finds a way to wear purple every single day.
The chairs in the middle of the room surrounded by gifts are like thrones, custom made for this even so Mia feels like a queen.
Her throne is white with purple velvet cushions while the one for Ivan is black on black.
I help her up the marble steps, taking her hand as she takes a seat. She belongs there. One day, whatever sadness she feels will be gone. I’ll make sure of that.
“Everything is so beautiful. Thank you, Mr. Bykov.”
I scoff, kissing her knuckles. I can’t stop myself. I want to feel her against me in any way I can. The ring Ivan gave her flashes in the light, and I swallow an irritated growl. He doesn’t deserve Mia. She’s so fucking miserable, and she deserves the world.
“Please, Mia. Call me Alek.”
A shy smile replaces her misery for one split second. “Alek,” she whispers.
Oh, I love how she says my name.
“Do you want anything to drink?” I ask her. “Before we open gifts.”
“Please. Thank you. Nothing alcoholic though. I’d never hear the—” She rubs her lips together before she finishes that sentence. “Any drink will do.”
My hackles continue to raise. Does Ivan monitor what she drinks? I do my best to not show how furious I am and smile. “I’ll be right back with your drink.” I squeeze her shoulder, not wanting to let go.