Page 14 of Velvet Chains
“Congratulations, Dyadya Victor,” a deep voice rumbles, and I turn to see my nephew, Yuri, his hand outstretched.
At eighteen, he’s already an imposing figure, standing at six-foot-two with broad shoulders and a chiseled jaw. But it’s his eyes that strike me—cold and calculating, just like his mother’s.
I clasp his hand, my grip firm despite the pain radiating through my arm. “Thank you, Yuri,” I say, my tone measured.
Ksenia turns to her son, her expression hard and cold. “Yuri, make sure your sister gets to the hotel first,” she instructs, her voice brooking no argument.
Yuri nods, his demeanor thawing slightly as he scoops Eli up into his arms. “Alright, little spy,” he says, a mischievous grin spreading across his face. “Did you complete your super-secret mission?”
Eli giggles conspiratorially, leaning in close to whisper in Yuri’s ear. “Yes! I snuck into Dyadya Victor’s room and put the special surprise in his pocket, just like we planned!”
Yuri’s eyes widen in mock astonishment. “No way! You managed to get past all those scary guards?”
“Yep!” Eli puffs out her chest proudly. “I’m sneaky like a ninja!”
“That’s my girl!” Yuri chuckles, giving her a high five. “Dyadya Victor will be so surprised!”
Eli claps her hands in delight, an impish gleam in her eye. “Do you think he’ll make that funny face when he finds it? The one where his eyebrows get all scrunchy?”
“Oh, definitely.” Yuri nods solemnly. “And we’ll be there to see it, right?”
“Right!” Eli agrees, bouncing excitedly in his arms.
As they descend the church steps, a phalanx of guards closing in around them, I catch a flash of red in my periphery.
Anastasia Petrova, the daughter of a notorious money launderer, glides toward us, her crimson lips curled into a predatory smile.
“Congratulations, Victor,” she purrs, her eyes raking over me with undisguised hunger. “I’m sure you and your lovely bride will be very happy together.”
Anastasia saunters up closer to me. She pushes her ample breasts forward, the low-cut neckline of her dress leaving little to the imagination. Her eyes linger on me, a predatory gleam in their depths.
“Oh, Victor, you poor thing,” she coos, reaching out to touch my bruised face. Her fingers ghost over my skin, a touch that’s far too intimate for my liking. “What happened to you?”
I catch her wrist before she can make contact, my grip firm but not painful. “Nothing I couldn’t handle,” I reply, my tone cool and dismissive.
Anastasia pouts, her lips glistening with some sort of gloss. She glances at Laura, giving her a once-over that’s both disdainful and calculating. “I’m sure your new wife was worried sick about you.”
Laura stiffens beside me, her fingers tightening around mine. I can feel the tension radiating off her, the unease and anger simmering just beneath the surface.
Oh, is she jealous?
Anastasia steps closer, her eyes fixed on Laura. “That dress is stunning, darling,” she says, her voice dripping with false sweetness. “It almost makes you look like you belong here.”
Laura meets her gaze head-on, a small, confident smile playing on her lips. “Well, I must belong here, seeing as I just married the man of the hour.”
Anastasia’s eyes narrow at the subtle jab, but Laura doesn’t back down.
A surge of pride rushes through me, and I can’t help the smirk that tugs at the corner of my mouth.
That’s my girl.
My chest swells with satisfaction. She’s already proving she’s not just some delicate flower but a woman with a backbone of steel.
Anastasia turns her attention back to me, running a hand down my chest. “You really should be more careful, Victor. If you had a wife who understood this life, maybe you wouldn’t find yourself in such dangerous situations.”
I sidestep her advance, causing her to stumble slightly on the church steps. She regains her balance quickly, but not before I catch a flash of irritation in her eyes.
“Thank you for your concern, Anastasia,” I say, my tone glacial. “But my wife is perfect for me.” The words surprise even me, and I catch a flicker of shock on Anastasia’s face. As I turn to Laura, I toss her a wink, seeing her eyes widen in equal surprise.
