Page 13 of Merciless Union
Maxim’s lips twitch ever so slightly. So, maybe he does feel some emotion.
“Have a seat,” he says, gesturing to one of the couches. I clutch my mother’s hand as I help her sit down, my father sitting on my other side. Hopefully, having my parents next to me will offer me the strength to get through this meeting.
The Petrov family has a reputation for being cold.
I can see why by how they’re all looking at me.
Elena and Kira sit on one couch, Maxim and Alexei sit across from them, and finally, there’s Vasilisa Petrov, directly across from us, sitting in a chair like she’s on a throne and no one can take her down.
I feel so out of place with my slightly frizzy red hair and wrinkled dress. I ironed it before I left the house, but it wrinkled on the car ride. I desperately wish I could change.
“I’m sure you’ve met my family before,” Maxim says.
My father leans forward. “Of course. I’ve known all of you since you were just babies.” He looks at Vasilisa. “And Mrs. Petrov, you are just as lovely as ever.”
Her face remains frozen. “Charmed.”
“So, you’re marrying my brother,” Elena says, eyeing me up and down.
“Uh … yes?”
She snorts. So that must have been what I heard earlier. “Are you unsure?”
“Uh.” I shake my head. “No. No,” I repeat more firmly. “Yes, Mr. Petrov and I are getting married.”
“Mr. Petrov,” Alexei mutters. “You could just call him Maxim. You’re getting married after all.”
I feel my already red cheeks grow redder. My gaze meets Maxim’s. “Do … do you want me to call you that?”
He’s been silently watching our exchange, then tilts his head at my question, eyeing me like I’m some kind of strange curiosity. “I guess my brother is right. You may call Maxim.”
I release a breath, clutching my mother’s hand tighter.
“I’m honored you asked for my daughter’s hand in marriage,” my mother says.
“Well,” Maxim says, “your daughter seemed like a good match. I want to work closely with your family to ensure my family remains in power.”
My father sits up straighter. “And I’ll do everything in my power to make sure that happens. I worked for your father for over thirty years. It would be a shame not to work for you for however many years I have left.”
My heart pangs at his words. “Dad, you’ll live to be old.”
He smiles at me. “I hope so.”
Elena looks between my father and me before sighing and rolling her eyes. I don’t know how to respond to that.
The youngest sister, Kira, is keeping her head down, not saying anything. If she’s anything like Elena, she must not like me very much. I’m sensing this entire family doesn’t really like me, even though I’ve done nothing to them.
I want to duck my head, but Maxim keeps looking at me, holding me in place with his fierce gaze.
My mother lets out a soft chuckle. “Is there anything you’d like to know about us? About Arina? Since she’ll be joining your family and all.”
No one responds.
I want to bury my head in embarrassment.
Finally, Elena speaks. “Yes. I have a question.”
I look at her when she doesn’t ask it right away.
