Page 22 of Bride By Coronation

She steps into the elevator and presses the button. She smiles and replies, "You too. Thanks."

"Anytime," I add, and the doors shut. I return to the SUV. My driver accelerates several blocks.

My phone rings. I glance at the screen, and my gut drops. It rings again, and I answer, "Ulrich."

"Meet me for a drink," he says in his German accent.

I glance out the window, replying, "I've got a busy day."

"It's not a suggestion," he states and then hangs up.

I close my eyes, squeezing my fists. For the first time in years, I'm not fully in charge. The Omni revoked my power regarding anything having to do with marrying Fiona. They voted to give Ulrich Koch the powers taken away from me during this time period. So, any decisions based on my nuptials are out of my control. If he's demanding I meet him, he no doubt wants to discuss my upcoming marriage.

I stare at my reflection in the divider glass, cursing the scar running across my face.

I have to get out of it for Fiona's sake. It's not fair to her.

I roll down the divider window and direct my driver, "Ivan, take me to Nostrovia."

"Yes, sir," he replies, and makes a U-turn.

I put the divider up, lean my head back, and close my eyes. All the arguments I've had with Ulrich and other Omni regarding this arrangement roll through my mind. I think about all the rules of The Underworld I know inside and out, trying to find a loophole, but it's pointless. There isn't one. Sean O'Malley Sr. didn't make loopholes. He created the rules for everyone to obey, and the king has to abide by them too.

Nostrovia isn't far, and the drive seems faster than normal. When Ivan stops outside the bar, I wait a moment, making one last-ditch effort to find something that will stop my pending marriage.

Ivan opens my door before I'm ready, but it's not his fault. I'm never going to be ready to ruin Fiona's life, but unless we want to both end up dead, there's no way to avoid it.

I slide out of the SUV, nod to the bouncer, Victor, and step inside. It's midafternoon, before happy hour, but the worn-down neighborhood bar is busy. I shove through the crowd of regulars and slip into the kitchen. I nod to the line cooks and step inside the walk-in fridge.

My breath comes out in a fog from the chilled air. I continue to the back, reach for the pull handle, and the frosted metal sends a jolt of cold through me. I open it and enter the private, dimly lit space.

Underworld men from all walks of life play poker at several round tables. A scantily-dressed bleached blonde struts around distributing drinks, mostly vodka. Alexsi, a balding, overweight bookie, records bets coming in from his cell.

Ulrich sits in his usual spot, alone in the corner, not participating in the fun. He hates being in Nostrovia, preferring to be in the German Underworld bar based on his heritage. Yet he doesn't have a choice. I'm still the king. This Underworld secret spot is the one I'm most comfortable with, so he has no choice if he wants to meet with me.

He takes a puff of his cigar, then lifts his drink toward me as I grab the chair across from him and pull it out. He nods. "Kirill."

Natalka, another scantily-dressed young woman, brings over a crystal tumbler. She picks up the fifth of vodka and pours. "Can I get you anything else tonight?" She bats her long, fake lashes at me, but her face hardens in a way it doesn't for the others. Her gaze darts to my eye that has the scar cutting through the lid before she quickly tries to refocus.

"No," I say, which is the same response as always. The other men here don't think twice about buying her sexual services, but I wasn't lying to Fiona. I don't entertain prostitutes.

"We're good," Ulrich states.

She pats him on the shoulder and then leaves, swaying her hips.

I take a large mouthful of vodka, relishing the burn as it travels to my stomach.

"The time is near. The moon will soon be in position," Ulrich announces.

My gut curls. I know all about the moon's positions and phases, and the different rituals surrounding them. Yet I protest, "You've not given her time to decide if she wants to be part of The Underworld. She knows nothing about it."

Ulrich's eyes turn to slits. "You shouldn't be seeing her."

My chest tightens. Another thing I've lost due to this debacle is my privacy. The Omni are watching me like they did before I earned my seat at the table. My privileges as king no longer exist. They'll only be restored when I've got a wedding ring on my finger.

Ulrich chuckles. "Ah, you forgot we see everything."

"Then you know it was pure coincidence we ran into each other. And Valentina had nothing to do with it either," I insist.

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