Page 29 of Deceptive Vows
“No more difficult than you, my Polly Pocket-sized sister.” I looked at Claire and wrinkled my nose, laughing.
Her mouth dropped open, and she grunted a scoff. “I’m… fine. Still, it won’t be easy, which means we’ll need to start the hunt as soon as possible. You can’t get married without findingit.”
Never would I admit I hadn’t thought about this part of the ruse. Trying on dresses for a wedding I never planned to have. The invitations were nothing—a given. Gabriele would expect one. My marriage had to appear real. We would send them out with a fabricated date—something believable enough to fool Gabriele, meaningless enough to keep anyone else safe. Just in case Marco decided to do anything without Pasha and Nazar's knowledge.
First the ring that sweet Mr. Marcello designed just for me and now a wedding dress. Other than the ring, the dress was the thing that every little girl dreamed about—except me. Alright, maybe I considered it from time to time. I just never thought it’d actually happen.
I stopped stirring and turned to them. “I’msure I’ll find something. Besides, this is an arranged marriage to someone who no more wants to be married to me than I to him. So there’s no reason to go crazy.”
“I can’t believe he’s Russian.” Helen pulled the bubbling dish of fasolakia from the oven.
The scent of tomato-simmered green beans filled the air, making it feel like Thanksgiving more than it already did.
“Sexy and gorgeous, yes.” She waggled her eyebrows. “But Russian?”
It was all I could do to hold in a laugh at that one. I would have never in a million years pictured that myself.
Anna hummed. “Yeah, but that accent.”
“Oh yeah.” Claire nodded.
With a waggle of my finger, I said, “You two are taken. You shouldn’t be thinking about another man’s accent.”
“Married, not dead.” Helen chuckled.
I motioned with my hands, shooing Aunt Helen out of the kitchen. “I’ll be right there.” I glared at Claire and Anna. “You too as well. These are done. I just need to add sour cream.”
Anna walked backward. “Already making him dinner. Now, we just need you barefoot.” She cackled.
“Get out,” I growled, grabbing a towel and tossing it at her.
Claire snickered and trotted out with Aunt Helen and Anna.
Barefoot. As if I’d ever let that happen. Despite the absurdity, I found myself smiling. My brothers were amazing, but I’d truly gained something when Claire and Anna joined the family. They were so different. I was always older than my age. My odometer by the time I hit ten was near thirty.
My sisters brought levity and youth to our family. Claire, with her sarcasm and wit, and Anna, with her propensity to stick her tongue out at me or say something off the wall, were silly, girly, and wonderful. I adored them.
I hoped Lex and Dimitris could find their soul mates soon. They didn’t need to say anything. It was in their eyes that they wished they had what Lucas and Ari had. Maybe there was a part of me, buried deep, that longed for that too, but trusting a man was a big ask that I wasn’t sure I’d ever be capable of. For now, I would focus on what was in front of me.
After plating the pelmeni, I took off my apron and walked into the dining area. It’d always been rather full with my siblings and cousins, but we had to add another table this year. I suspected we’d be adding high chairs in the next couple of years as well.
Nazar looked up, found me, and smiled. Twice now, my heart rate had tripled its speed. An involuntary and unnecessary physical reaction that didn’t make any sense. He was just a man.
My man, a voice whispered in the back of my mind. Ridiculous.
When I reached him, I smiled. “Miss me?”
“I was counting the seconds.” He winked.
Why did I like that so much? “I thought you might like something with a little touch of home.”
His lips parted. “Pelmeni? Where did you find that?”
“Find it? I made it. Why buy pre-made when you can make it from scratch?”
“You…” He smiled, and there was something in his eyes—appreciation, maybe? Whatever it was, it made my heart flutter. “It smells delicious.”
“I’m glad you think so.”
