Page 14 of Paved in Hate

I open the door and let him see. His cold, blue eyes run over me, not revealing anything that he’s thinking. He finally nods and says, “You look like shit, but at least it fits. I’ll have someone bring breakfast up and then I have a stylist coming over to help make sure you look presentable.”

He steps closer and hooks a finger under my chin, tilting my face up to his. Konstantin is always intimidating, but having him this close makes me feel very breakable.

“Don’t embarrass our family, Katya. I expect you to obey your husband and do whatever it takes to make him happy. Do you understand me?”

“Yes,” I whisper, terrified that the man I’m about to marry might be as much of a monster as the two I’ve been living with my whole life.

He keeps a tight grip on my face, studying me for several seconds until he’s satisfied I’m telling the truth and that I know my place in this family. Without a word, he lets me go and walks out of my room. I’ve just managed to change out of my dress when there’s a soft knock at my door. I open it, seeing a woman about my age carrying a big tray of food, and behind her Simeon is leaning against the wall, guarding my door so I don’t try and make any last-minute escape plans.

I tighten the belt of my robe and step aside so she can bring the tray in. I recognize her from yesterday. She’s the woman Konstantin told to visit him last night, and when she sets the tray on my bed, I get a clear view of the ring of bruises around her neck.

“Are you okay?” I whisper, and she flinches as soon as she hears me and takes a quick step back.

“I’m fine.” Her voice is so low I have to strain to hear her, and her eyes keep darting to the hall, terrified someone’s going to overhear us.

“I’m sorry.” The words feel so useless, and I hate myself a little bit more for not being able to do anything to help her. My brother is the one who hurt her, and my apology isn’t going to do shit to improve her situation. I’m helpless to change it, and she knows it. “I’m sorry,” I say again, because it’s all I can do.

Her brown eyes meet mine for the briefest of moments, and the pain and terror in hers breaks my damn heart. It’s my flesh and blood that did this to her, and I can’t do a goddamn thing to stop it or change it. I’m just as helpless as she is against them. Before she runs out of my room, I squeeze her hand and hope that the wedding might at least give her a night away from him.

After she leaves, I sit down and eye the food I know I won’t be able to stomach. I settle on a plain piece of toast and a few sips of coffee. When it’s clear that’s all I’m going to be able to manage, I head for the bathroom for a long shower. I hide under the steaming water until I hear Simeon yelling at me to get out. The one positive spot to all this is that I won’t have to deal with him anymore. I’m sure my new husband will have his own hound to guard me, but at least it’ll be someone new, maybe this one will even acknowledge my existence from time to time.

The next several hours are spent with a team of women who are evidently being paid to not talk to me. They don’t ask questions. They don’t even make small talk. It’s all business for them, and by the time they’re done, my hair is freshly cut and in a complicated braid with tiny crystals woven in, my makeup is impeccable, my nails and toes are painted a delicate pink, and every conceivable place has been waxed.

They’re just zipping me into my dress when Oksana walks in holding a large bouquet of pink roses and white calla lilies and a long veil. Her eyes are clear today, and she even gives me a small smile as the other women wish me a quick congratulations and then get the hell out.

“You look beautiful,” she says, handing me my bouquet before reaching up and slipping the delicate combs of the veil into my hair. My brothers got the same black hair as our dad, but I took after our mom and got her honey blonde hair with soft curls. I look in the full-length mirror and try to not feel like I’m headed towards my death. This is supposed to be one of the happiest days of my life, and instead I feel like I’m going to be sick all over this beautiful, white dress.

“I don’t think I can do this,” I admit. My shaky voice is barely more than a whisper.

Oksana grips my shoulders and turns me toward her. “You will do this, Katya, because you don’t have a choice, and you’ll survive it for the same reason.”

“How?” I ask, begging her for some hidden wisdom, anything that will help me to not have a panic attack in front of everyone, because Konstantin will fucking kill me if I embarrass him.

“We all find a way to survive our own personal hells, and you know the way I’ve chosen to cope with mine.” Her hands fluff out the veil as she gives me a sad smile. “You’re stronger than me, though, and I know you won’t make the same bad decisions I’ve made.”

She brushes a stray hair back behind my ear, and I want to cry at the sisterly show of affection. When Konstantin had first married Oksana, I’d been excited about getting a sister-in-law, but I should’ve known Konstantin would never allow us to be close. His constant abuse slowly broke her down until she was a ghost of who she’d once been. The drugs took care of the rest.

“I hope your new husband isn’t like your brother, but if he is, do whatever you have to do to survive it, and if you get the chance to run, take it, Katya. Run and get as far away from these bastards as you can.”

I squeeze her hand and nod. “I’m sorry for what he’s done to you.” I feel like I’ve spent my life apologizing for my brothers. They’ve hurt so many women, and there’s nothing I can do to change it.

“It’s not your fault. You’re as much of a victim as the rest of us. You’re just a different kind of victim.” Forcing a smile onto her face, she pulls the thick veil over my head, hiding me from view. “Look on the bright side, you’re getting out of this damn house.”

I squeeze her hand and let out a shaky breath. She’s right. I’m getting out of here and away from my brothers. Maybe my new hell will be better than this one.

“Have you seen the man I’m marrying?”

“No. I haven’t seen any of the guests. Konstantin is waiting for you at the bottom of the stairs, though, so we’d better get you down there.”

I pull her in for a quick hug. “Thanks, Oksana.” There are so many things I want to say to her, and I hope she can feel all of it in my embrace. She’s the only sister I’ve ever had, and I hate that I have to leave her here.

She hugs me back and then steps away so we can leave the room together. Simeon isn’t at his usual post outside my door, and I wonder if he’s already been called off duty. He’s probably thrilled to no longer be stuck babysitting my ass. We take the stairs slowly because I’m in a pair of dangerously high heels, and although death would be a release from this life, it’s not one I want just yet.

My veil is ridiculously thick, obscuring my vision and annoying the hell out of me. Konstantin wants me hidden from view, just like he’s always done, but this is also a power play. He’s forcing a man to marry me without having any idea of what I look like. This Vitaly guy is evidently desperate to go into business with my brothers. Awesome. My future husband is a strip-club-owning, enthusiastic sex trafficker. Just my fucking luck.

Konstantin stands at the bottom of the stairs in a black tux without a single hair out of place. He holds his arm out to me, and I take it while Osip steps forward. He’s in a similar dark tux, looking so much like our older brother.

“Come on, Oksana, let’s go take our seats.” He holds his arm out for her and then they walk off down the hall and towards the open set of French doors. I can see bouquets of flowers and fairy lights on the veranda and a glimpse of packed chairs. All I can see are broad shoulders and dark suits. Our only guests are going to be Bratva members. They’re witnessing the joining of two Bratva families. This is so much more than just me becoming Vitaly’s wife.

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