Page 65 of Deception

“You’re asking me to find happiness while I’m losing you again. What do I tell your grandmother? She was devastated as it is—this will kill her.”

“Tell her I’m doing everything I can to live another day and that I’m happy doing it. Tell her she taught me well and that I am always going to be a Mortimer. Cunning and strong.”

There’s no point in dwelling on any more of the downsides and cons. A genuine smile pulls at my lips as I grasp her hand and lead her to the sofa, where Luda is watching us.

“I’m not really sure where to start,” I say, looking around me at the rails of wedding gowns and mannequins dotted around the boutique.

The attendant peers out from a small room at the other end of the shop, and as she walks over to me, she picks out a few dresses in different styles. I may not have been looking forward to picking out a dress before, but now I can’t wait to find something that will blow my husband away, like he has swept me off my feet most unexpectedly.

25

TOMASZ

There are kids running around the place everywhere I look. Every time my stare flickers to the door, my heart pounds harder, adding an extra beat or two to its frenetic rhythm.

I made a mistake.

Leaving Lucy at the bridal store with the option to leave was stupid, and it’s going to show me for a fool. But Mama is right; I need to trust Red. Our family has enough enemies as it is. I need to know that she won’t bolt again and cause more problems because I won’t be able to stop myself from destroying anything or anyone that dares to come at her.

My father is the last to walk into the drawing room. Rage presses his lips into a harsh line that doesn’t bend for anyone, not even his brother-in-law’s grandchildren.

“This isn’t at all awkward.” Niko hands me a drink, coming to a stop beside me. “Your father is about to cut off your bollocks, and your bride is still nowhere to be seen.”

“At least he can find mine,” I tease back before taking a long gulp of my vodka. “They’ll be here soon.”

Not that I can be certain, because neither Mama nor Anton have called to inform me of the outcome of my olive branch. If Lucy is going to be my wife, she needs to pick a side. It’s black and white. She’s either a Vassily or a Stanton. There isn’t any grey space on this. No compromise. The Vassily name will protect her and make her a fucking queen, and I need to know that she will do whatever it takes for it. For me.

“I hope your certainty pays off.” Niko blows out a breath. “Otherwise, you’ll have started a war for nothing.”

“Wars imply that there is a fight or battle. There will not be one.”

“They’re threatening to take Vanya if you don’t hand them the girl.” Genuine worry tinges his remark as he sets eyes on my sister. It’s impossible to miss the way his entire body stiffens when he adds, “I won’t let them hurt her because of your fucking mistake.”

“Careful, Nikolai. Friendships don’t do well when one person is dead.”

“You could have any girl.”

“Yet, it’s not any girl I want.”

“And so there will be a war,” he says between clenched teeth before throwing back the rest of his drink.

“Don’t doubt my plan.”

My aunt and cousin’s wife meander in from the patio. Now that the sun has set, it’s colder. The sea breeze holds a slight chill that has them both joining Vanya by the fireplace, where she’s entertaining our cousin’s daughter.

The drinks are flowing as the staff brings out the hors d’oeuvres Mama picked out this morning. These are the family gatherings she loves, and I know that this is all impromptu and messy, but a part of me is glad to give her another good time. Or maybe I’m being as selfish as every man in this room believes me to be, and I’m giving myself another memory of her happiness.

Joining the other men, Niko takes a seat in one of the tall-back armchairs beside his father while I opt to stand like mine.

“You think inviting the Mikheil Sarapov to your wedding party is going to appease him?” Father turns to look at me with a disapproving grimace.

This is the first thing he’s said to me since he arrived earlier this evening after Mama corralled him into it. Much like with Vanya, he can never say no to her. Not only because of his affection, but because she’s always been a force to be reckoned with. A driving force behind his successes, and since she got sick, he’s lost his edge. It’s why marrying Lucy makes so much sense. The girl is fiery and brave, and when we’re married, I’ll be in the position I need to be for the men to follow me.

“Appeasing him isn’t my concern. I’m inviting him so he can see why his son died at my feet and that I would do it again. I will do it again…” Holding his stare, I step forward until we meet in the middle of the sitting area. There isn’t a single set of eyes that isn’t trained on us. “I’ll destroy anyone that threatens what’s mine.”

“Well, son, where is she, then?” he laughs, looking around as if to diminish my words.

Before I can reply, the door to the drawing room opens and Mama enters. She looks tired, but her light pink summer dress distracts from the sallow tone of her skin. She’s wearing the wig she hates, but her smile is resplendent as she takes in the room with a quick fluff of the golden, shoulder-length strands.

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