Page 2 of Owned By the Russian

Women were dressed in their best gowns, and men in their tailored suits. The sight at Valentina’s left distracted her from answering Irina’s question. As soon as she saw that long table groaning under the weight of delicacies, the churning in her stomach grew worse.

Still, she couldn’t let herself go straight for the food. Everyone here—Business partners, allies, and extended family—including herself, was here to officially celebrate the newest addition to the Nikolai family.

Her best friend in the entire world—Rhiannon Nikolai.

So, food would have to wait. Besides, few were actually interested in the food. Instead, eyes darted toward the head of the room, where Pakhan Mikhail Nikolai sat in a throne-like chair, his presence commanding and unyielding.

Beside him, his consigliere whispered in his ears, occasionally gesturing discreetly toward someone in the room.

Val’s eyes locked with those of Mikhail’s, and she dipped her head low in greeting. He nodded, the familiarity in his eyes appearing for a brief second before vanishing as he returned his focus to his consigliere.

Mikhail Nikolai was always a mystery to Val, but she could understand why. He was the head of the Nikolai family, after all. He had too much responsibility on his shoulders to bare his teeth at her in laughter like Kostya and any of his cousins would.

He was constantly cold and calculated, only ever genuinely smiling when Mira—his wife—or his twins were next to him.

A wolf whistle from behind made Val turn. Fedya and Viktor walked towards her, identical smirks on their faces as they grabbed champagne glasses in sync.

“If it isn’t the twins,” Val grinned. They weren’t actually twins, considering they were one full year apart. But their synchronized mannerisms would make anyone believe they were.

Oddly enough, some of the men in the Nikolai family shared similar traits. Fedya was reserved and quiet, sort of like Adrian was. Kostya was like Ivan, even a much more ruthless flirt than Ivan was before he got married to Amy.

Viktor was like a burst of sunshine among the men. He was the most carefree bird Val had ever seen, seemingly unserious even in the tensest situations. He had an air of ease about him that set him apart. But Val knew better; beneath his light-hearted façade was a dangerous streak he kept hidden from most.

And then there was Ilya.End of story.

Viktor—the whistler—approached her first, clapping his hands in mock applause as he took in her appearance, completely unbothered by the attention it drew to their little group.

“The fit makes me want to bark,” Viktor said grinning as Val burst into laughter and Irina rolled her eyes. “Come on, do a quick 360 for me, will you?”

Fedya slapped his brother’s arm, a mix of amusement and annoyance in his expression. “Behave.” To Valentina, he said, “You look stunning, Val.”

Val smirked, tilting her head. “Thanks, Fedya. How’s our little bet coming along? I’m not sure about you, but it’s looking great for me,” she said. “I always win. You and Viktor should know that by now.”

Fedya scoffed. “You wish.”

Irina frowned, her gaze shifting between them. “Can someone tell me what this bet is about?”

“It’s about you, actually,” Viktor chimed in, not missing a beat. “We’re betting on who’s going to get cuffed next—you or Kostya.”

Irina’s smile was sarcastic. “Funny. Even a child would know that it’s going to be Kostya. Not that I’m getting married anytime soon anyway. How many times do I have to tell you guys that marriage isn’t in the cards for me?”

“I actually put my money on you, Babe.”

Irina gaped at her best friend. “Are you fucking kidding me?”

Viktor waggled a finger in his sister’s face. “Val is a firm believer in the saying that things are not always what they seem—the most obvious outcome rarely turns out to be the truth. In this case, Kostya—ladies’ man and playboy extraordinaire—won’t actually find the woman of his dreams before you, who’s always anti-commitment. The saying makes sense, but in this case, I beg to differ.”

“Or you just want my money,” Val added.

“Yeah,” he grinned. “That too. And Fedya always does what I do.”

“Wrong,” the brother in question denied. “I just think it’s common sense to put my money on Kostya. Irina’s never felt the touch of a man, talk more of getting married.”

Irina’s cheeks burned in embarrassment. “I could shoot you for saying that.”

Viktor laughed. “It’s the truth, though. Have you even been kissed before?”

Val feigned annoyance. “Hey. Take it easy on my best friend. She doesn’t have to be hos like both of you.”

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