Page 96 of Velvet Chains
Eli, on the other hand, seems totally unfazed. She skips ahead of us, twirling around in her pretty dress, her curls bouncing. I can’t help but smile at her enthusiasm, even as my own stomach churns with nerves.
Ksenia pauses just inside the door, her eyes meeting Ari’s in some kind of silent communication. He nods, his hand resting on the gun I know is hidden beneath his jacket.
Wow. This is really how they live, huh?
A chill runs down my spine as I think of a life where they’re constantly looking over their shoulders, waiting for the next attack.
I don’t know if I should feel safe or terrified. Maybe both.
We’re led to a private room in the back, all plush velvet and gleaming silver. Eli immediately starts chattering about the fancy chandelier, the pretty plates, the view out the window. Her excitement is contagious, and I find myself relaxing a bit.
But then I catch Ksenia watching me, her eyes sharp and assessing. And just like that, the knot in my stomach is back, tighter than ever.
She knows. She fucking knows, and she’s just waiting for the right moment to pounce.
I take a sip of water, trying to calm my nerves. But it’s hard to relax when I feel like I’m sitting across from a predator, just waiting for her to bare her teeth.
Eli, bless her heart, seems oblivious to the tension. She’s too busy coloring on her menu, her tongue poking out in concentration.
I envy her innocence, her ability to see the world as a bright, happy place. I wish I could shield her from the darkness that lurks beneath the surface, the danger that follows her family like a shadow.
Ksenia clears her throat, drawing my attention back to her. She’s smiling, but there’s no warmth in it. It’s the smile of a shark, all teeth and hunger.
“So, Laura,” she says, her voice deceptively casual. “Tell me. How are you finding married life so far?”
I swallow hard, my mouth suddenly dry. It’s a loaded question, and we both know it.
“It’s… it’s good,” I manage, my voice only slightly shaky. “Victor is… he’s…”
I trail off, unsure how to finish that sentence.
A ruthless killer? A man I barely know? The father of my unborn child?
“He is… Morozov,” Ksenia says, her smile not quite reaching her eyes. “And so are you for the next few months.”
I blink, nodding intensely under her unwavering stare. My heart’s pounding so hard I’m surprised it hasn’t burst out of my chest yet.
“We do not keep secrets in this family, you understand?” Ksenia continues, her voice low and serious. “Secrets can be dangerous. Deadly, even.”
Secrets? Which one? The one about Dimitry working with their biggest enemy? Or the one growing in my womb, ready to blow up my life?
I take a deep breath, counting silently to ten in my head.
Stay calm, Laura. Don’t let her see you sweat.
Eli looks up from her menu, glancing between her mom and me. I force a smile, trying to look like everything’s totally normal and not at all terrifying.
“Mama, can I get the es-car-got?” Eli asks, sounding out the fancy French word. “It sounds yummy!”
Ksenia’s face softens for a moment as she looks at her daughter. “Escargot, darling. And yes, you can try it if you’d like.”
Eli beams, going back to studying the menu with renewed enthusiasm.
I clear my throat, trying to keep my voice steady. “I… yes, no secrets. I understand.”
But do I really? What is she implying? That she knows about Dimitry? Or is she fishing for something else entirely?
Before I can spiral too far down that rabbit hole, there’s a knock at the door. A moment later, a server enters, his posture ramrod straight and his face carefully blank.
