Page 1 of Captive Union
CHAPTER1
Kira
“Kira, darling, wake up.”
Between sleep and awake, I grumble as a hand roughly shakes my shoulder.
“We don’t want to sleep all day, darling. We have dress shopping to do. Sleeping in isn’t lady-like. A young woman should be up and early every day.”
As the fogginess of my sleep state fades, I recognize the voice of my mother, Vasilisa Petrov. It’s funny she speaks about being up and early when she likes to sleep in and have our housekeeper, Mischa, do all the work “up and early.”
I grumble some more as I roll over and sit up.
“Stop with the mumbling, darling,” Mom snaps, her face in her signature frown. “A young lady speaks with composure. Not whatever you’re doing right now.”
I don’t even respond. I’ve seen my siblings go up against her, and a lesson I’ve learned is that it is a futile mistake. My mother has a habit of winning. I, on the other hand, have a habit of keeping to myself and not speaking up.
“Now,” Mom pats my knee, “we need to go dress shopping for Maxim’s party later this week. So chop, chop.” Her eyes scale my body up and down as I get up, taking in my raggedy PJs. “And we really need to get you some new sleepwear. You can’t be seen in something so … hideous, darling.”
I can say it doesn’t matter since no one else will see me in my sleepwear, but remember, lessons learned. I just plaster a small smile on my face and nod.
Mom cups my cheek. “You’re my good girl, Kira. You never back talk.” She pokes my nose. “Never change.” With a wink, she finally leaves me alone, letting me get dressed for the day in peace. I wear a light blue sundress, which is feminine enough to please my mom and simple enough to please me.
Before leaving my room, I sit at my desk and grab my sketch pad, flipping over to my most recent creation—a drawing of me standing on a hill overlooking a crowd of people. I rarely draw myself, but I was inspired. The thought of speaking in front of a crowd is absolutely terrifying, and yet, something deep inside me yearns for the chance to speak up for once in my life. My siblings and I could be described in simple terms. My oldest brother, Maxim, head of the Bratva, is the leader. Elena, my older sister, is the Ice Princess. And Alexei, my other brother, is the black sheep. And then there’s me. As the designated shy one in my family, I’ve always been overlooked, never seen as wild as Alexei or bold as Maxim and Elena. It would be nice for a change to be noticed. I just hate that the thought scares me so much.
I fill in more of the drawing, getting lost in my fantasy world when my mom calls for me, reminding me I have other duties to focus on—like finding a mother-approved dress for Maxim’s upcoming party. I still don’t know what the party is for. Maxim gave a vague response when I asked, but the only thing he really shared was that it was important. And when something’s important to Maxim, it’s also important to me.
“Honestly, Kira,” Mom says when I finally emerge, shaking her head. “I don’t know what would cause you to take forever. It’s not like you have much of a beauty routine.” And this, I know, is something that has always bothered her. I’ve never been into makeup and clothes enough for her liking. That was always Elena’s thing. Ever since Elena got married and moved out a few years ago, it’s just been my mom and me all alone in this large penthouse. Elena was like her doll, and now she’s stuck with me, a girl she can’t quite morph into her spitting image.
“Sorry,” I murmur, ducking my head and letting my light blonde hair fall into my face. I have the same shade as my sister and mother. The ice-cold Petrov women with their blonde hair and blue eyes. It’s in stark contrast to my brothers, who got our father’s black hair. My father has been dead for five years, and I still sort of miss him. He was cruel to my siblings but was always kind to me. It helped that Maxim shielded a lot of the blows from my father, so I never really got hurt, allowing me to actually have a nice relationship with our dad. Unfortunately, Maxim could never shield me from our mother. Her constant little remarks about my looks have always bothered me and still do to this day.
“Good.” Mom nods once, her lips pinched. “Then let’s go. Elena’s meeting us there.”
Excitement enters my heart. At least I won’t be alone in dealing with my mother today. And it’s always nice to see my big sister. Elene and I used to have a rocky relationship, but after she was kidnapped a few years ago, everything changed. We grew closer, and even though she lives with her husband now, we’re close, more so than we ever were when we lived under the same roof.
Mom and I are silent on the drive to the extremely fancy, extremely expensive dress store Mom only ever shops at. Nothing but the best for Vasilisa Petrov.
Once we arrive and walk into a sea of sparkling gowns and bright fabrics, I instantly feel lightheaded. A shop assistant approaches us, and all I want to do is burrow my head in the ground. I hate shopping. All my insecurities feel put on display.
As Mom and the shop assistant guide me around the store, my anxiety ramps up, my heart pounds faster, and I feel like I might pass out. The only thing that assuages my stress is the sound of Elena’s voice, speaking over the chatter of my mother.
“That dress is ugly.”
I turn to see Elena approaching. She gives me her superstar smile and rubs my arm. My fast beating heart calms down somewhat.
Mom glances at Elena, her hand still on the dress she was showing me—a sparkly purple concoction of fabric. “Oh, good. Elena, you’re here, and it seems you’ve come with your usual opinions intact.”
“Yup. Nothing but the best from me.” Elena nods at the dress. “And I meant what I said. That dress is hideous. No way are you going to force Kira into that.”
“I don’t seem to recall asking for your opinion on how Kira should be dressed.”
Elena shrugs. “Well, you invited me here, didn’t you? I aim to please.”
Mom’s eyes narrow. “Then how doyouthink Kira should be dressed?”
“I think she’d be more comfortable in this.” Elena walks over to a rack and pulls out a light pink ensemble.
“Well, I think she’d look great in this.” Mom holds up the purple dress.
