Chapter 13

TORI

“ O h my god,” I whisper, squeezing Poppy’s hand tighter, “this place is perfect.”

So far, we’ve seen the classrooms, which are all kitted out with the latest technology, and the gym hall, which was not only huge but had the best equipment. The dining hall where Poppy would eat each evening reminded me of the Great Hall in Harry Potter , and the library was astounding.

“I can’t believe it,” Poppy replies for the hundredth time. “I really can’t.”

Miss Taylor, a current student in her final year, leads us up more stairs and along a corridor. “These are the dorms,” she tells us, opening the nearest door. “You’ll be in here,” she adds, “with Alice.” A shy-looking girl around Poppy’s age ventures over, her cheeks slightly pink with nerves.

“Hey,” she almost whispers.

“Hi,” Poppy replies, stepping farther into the room. “I love what you’ve done in here,” she adds, glancing around at the posters on the wall of pop bands.

“Do you like music?” Alice asks.

I wander farther along the corridor, leaving them to talk. Miss Taylor follows. “She’s going to be fine here,” she tells me.

“How long have you been here?”

“Since I was five,” she replies, smiling.

“Don’t you miss your family?”

She shakes her head. “I see them during the holidays, and once you settle here, your friends become your family. Honestly, I love it here. I’ll be sad to leave.”

“Where will you go next?”

“I’m going to Oxford.”

My heart leaps at the thought of Poppy attending university, especially one like Oxford or Cambridge. Dmitry has given her a real chance at life, and I can’t thank him enough.

The girls exchange telephone numbers, and Poppy promises to text when we’re on our way Monday, so Alice can help her move into the room.

By the time we head back downstairs, Dmitry is shaking hands with the headmaster. He reaches for my hand, and I slip mine into his. It’s become the norm to touch whenever we are close, almost like he can’t stand to be without me.

“Are you both happy?” he asks.

“More than,” I reply and look at Poppy, who nods enthusiastically. I don’t recall a time when she looked so happy.

“Then we’ll return on Monday with your things,” he tells her.

By the time Monday rolls around, I’m a bag of nerves. We spent the entire weekend together. Dmitry was busy with work, and for once, I didn’t worry about who he was with or what he was doing. Maybe him going to such extremes to make me and Poppy happy settles my jealous mind. We shopped some more, we ate out, and I even took Poppy for a haircut and manicure so she’d feel a million dollars on her first day. But my nerves aren’t because of Poppy’s first day at Repton, but rather the fact we have the next three days booked on a small private island so I can meet the families.

I’m distracted as staff rush down the steps to help take Poppy’s bags and Alice throws her arms around my sister like they’re suddenly the best of friends. Dmitry nudges me, bringing me from my daydream, and I force a smile. The truth is, I can’t relax, and as I hug Poppy, dread fills me. We’re heading straight to the airport from here, so how can I enjoy her happiness?

“Have the best time,” I say, kissing her on the head. “Call me anytime, and please, for the love of God, be good.”

“You know me, Tori,” she says with a grin.

She then moves to Dmitry, and he frowns. “I just want to say thank you for all this. I don’t know how to repay you, but I swear I will.” Then she shocks him by hugging him.

I smile as he eventually relaxes and places his arms around her. “I don’t need repayment. Just do as your sister asks.”

And just like that, she’s gone, skipping up the steps with her new friend, not bothering to look back.

Dmitry places his arm around my shoulder. “She’ll be fine.”

“I know,” I mutter. “It’s not that.”

He opens the car door, and I get in. He slides beside me. “The trip,” he guesses.

“What if they don’t agree and say we can’t marry?”

“They won’t.”

“And aren’t they asking questions about why your father isn’t there?”

“They don’t know he’s not coming yet. I’ll explain everything to them when we arrive.”

“What if they side with him and cast you out?”

He smirks, turning towards me slightly as Marshall starts the car. “My krasota , that wouldn’t happen. If they’re not happy with my decisions regarding to my father, they will kill me, not cast me out.”

I gasp. “That doesn’t fucking help,” I snap.

“But they won’t do that because what I’m offering them is something they’ve always wanted.”

“What?”

“London.”

“What’s so special about London?”

“It’s hard to break the criminal underground. I have done that. And once my father and Vivian are . . . gone, I’ll have even more. A cut of London is worth a lot to them. I can offer them ways to make more money and gain more contacts.”

“Why hasn’t your father already done that?” I ask.

“Because London was my idea. I built it. I gained the right contacts, contacts that will only deal with me, not him. They need me.”

“And what about Vivian?”

“What about her? I only ever needed her father. Everything was to keep him sweet because I needed his contacts. I have them now, and we’ve built trust to the point they would rather deal with me over Vivian. I’ve spent the last few months building my empire quietly, Victoria, right under their noses. And they’ve been too busy trying to get you out the picture in the hope I’d take her as my wife and share everything I’ve built. After this week, I’ll have everything I’ve ever wanted. We’ll never want for anything.”

I settle back and stare out the window. His words fill me with fear. Power can turn a man into a monster, and I’ve seen too many of them already.

Marshall pulls straight onto the runway of the airfield, and we board the private plane. I don’t miss the way the air stewardess greets Dmitry, kissing each cheek, or how she blushes under his gaze as he takes a glass of Champagne from her tray. “My fiancée needs a soft drink,” he tells her, leading me farther into the plane.

I take the window seat, and he slides in beside me. Marshall moves towards the back with a few of Dmitry’s security. I’m given a soft drink of orange juice and handed a blanket. “Please let me know if you need anything,” she gushes.

I roll my eyes, and Dmitry catches it, smirking and placing a kiss to my lips. “I love only you, my krasota ,” he reassures me. “Rest. I’ll wake you when we land.” He places the blanket over me and then gets out his laptop to lose himself in work.

We land a few hours later and step off the plane to beautifully warm weather. There’s a car waiting, and as we get in, I notice other small planes lined up.

We drive a short distance to a gorgeous beach house overlooking the sea. I immediately rush up the steps and head inside for the air conditioning. The entire building is made of shaded glass, and when I go over to the sliding doors and open them, I’m hit by the sea breeze. There’s a pool on the balcony and steps leading down to the white sand. It’s breathtaking. Leaning over the balcony, I notice six other apartments just like ours, lined up.

“The families are all here,” Dmitry says as he joins me.

“Staying there?” I ask, nodding to the other beach homes.

“Yes. We have dinner booked this evening,” he adds.

“So, I have time to enjoy this weather?” I ask, grinning.

“Actually,” he says, taking my hand, “I was thinking we should make the most of the peace.”

“It’s only been a few days,” I say, laughing as he leads me to a bedroom on the second floor. “Where are Marshall and your men?”

“Do you want them to join us?” he teases, spinning to face me the second we’re in the room alone.

He backs me to the wall, and I wrap my arms around his neck. “I just don’t want to hold back.”

He kisses me, making my toes curl. “They’re in the basement. It’s self-contained,” he whispers, pressing his erection to my thigh. “Now, strip.”

DMITRY

Being inside Tori is the only time I feel truly relaxed. We’re both slick with sweat as I drag a second orgasm from her before joining her, shuddering as I come. I slide down her body, placing gentle kisses until my mouth is pressed to her stomach. “He’s growing,” I whisper against her skin.

“Or she,” she corrects, running her fingers through my hair.

“Are you happy, Tori?” I ask, and she stills at the use of her shortened name.

“Are you?” she asks, sounding worried.

“Happier than I’ve ever been.”

She relaxes and continues to stroke my hair. “I am happy, Dmitry. What you’ve just done for Poppy and the way you’re letting me in, it means so much.”

I brace my hands either side of her head and stare down at her. “Tonight might be difficult until I’ve spoken to the men.”

“What does that mean?”

“It means you need to trust me. The women may be standoffish,” I explain. “Until they know our situation, they won’t trust you.”

“Okay.”

“And the men, they will be a little like my father.”

She groans. “Great.”

“Until they know about our wedding and the baby.”

“So, just tell them outright,” she mutters.

I smile, loving how innocent she is. “It will all be fine, but you have to be on your best behaviour, Victoria.” She eyes me, and I offer a small smile. “No crazy antics.”

“I was cleared of the crazy, remember?”

I grin. “There’s no place for jealousy tonight.”

She leans up, kissing me softly. “Then don’t give me any reason to act crazy jealous.”

Victoria fidgets beside me, and I take her hand. “Stop,” I whisper.

“Are you sure this dress is okay? I feel like a common whore.”

I smirk, glancing at the white summer dress. “You look virginal. I love it.”

The security on the door gives a nod as we arrive. Inside, we’re greeted warmly by the ma?tre d’, who takes us through the restaurant to a private room out the back. Our families have been coming to this Greek island for many years. The restaurant is a firm favourite, where we won’t be interrupted, and there’s a room attached to the private one where the men can talk business.

We step inside, and everyone stands, bowing their heads as we enter. The men step forward, shaking my hand, but the women remain silent, casting their eyes only briefly over my chosen date.

We move to the head of the table, and I take what would be my father’s seat, pulling out the one beside me for Victoria. Once we’re both seated, everyone else sits. Without my father here, I am the head of the table this evening.

“My father is unable to make it,” I announce. “I’ll go into details after we have eaten, but for now, I’d like to introduce you to Victoria.”

There are a few grunts sent our way, but I pay no attention, giving Marshall the nod to leave the room.

The meal passes smoothly. We mainly talk about golf, and a few of the women speak about their children. Nobody asks Victoria anything, which is standard because they don’t know her. When the meal is over, I push my chair back and stand. “Gentlemen, let’s move to the next room.”

Victoria grabs my hand and tugs me closer. “What are you doing?” she hisses.

“I told you, I have to speak with them.”

“Can’t I come?”

“No. You’re safe here. Marshall is outside on the door, and the women will bore you with tales of schools and fashion.”

She reluctantly releases my hand, and I follow the men through to the room, closing the doors behind me.

“So,” Aleksandr begins, taking a seat. The waiter stands patiently beside the drinks cabinet, and I give him the nod to hand out drinks.

“So,” I repeat, also sitting.

“If she is important enough to bring her here, she is special, no?” asks Mikhail.

“Very,” I say with a nod.

“And Vladimir chose not to make it because?” asks Aleksandr.

“He doesn’t approve.” The room falls completely silent. “And I didn’t invite him.”

“Then we shouldn’t be having this conversation,” mutters Arkadi.

“He’s plotting against you,” I announce. “I’m here for your agreement on his demise.”

Aleksandr gives an empty laugh. “Just like that?” He shakes his head. “This is not how we do things, Dmitry.”

“We have no choice,” I snap. “He’s taken on business with Vivian Fraser and not told you. He killed her father,” I add, snatching a drink from the tray offered to me. “He plans on taking London and cutting you all out, maybe even me.”

“There is no proof of this,” says Arkadi, clearly nervous about going behind my father’s back.

I take a deep breath, ready to back up my lie. “He’s in a relationship with Vivian. You know as well as I do, her father had a lot of contacts. He killed her father the second he had their information.”

“If I remember correctly, it was your job to break new deals in London, to get the details of Ronnie’s contacts, and you failed. It seems maybe Vladimir was stepping up.”

I scoff. “Without telling you all? Besides, it doesn’t matter. I have the contacts, and they are only willing to deal with me.” They exchange a worried look. “It’s the only reason he’s had to bring me on board with his recent dealings. My father and Vivian plan to take everything from us,” I add. “They’ve been doing a lot of conspiring lately. It seems they’re on some kind of Bonnie and Clyde adventure.”

“How so?” demands Akim.

“They took Victoria against her will. Tortured her, almost killed her.”

“Why?” asks Mikhail.

“They didn’t want me messing up their plans to take over. And when my father realised he’d underestimated how deep my reach was in London, he had no choice but to keep me around. He has done everything to make me and Vivian closer in the hope she’ll gain the respect of my contacts. They needed to get Victoria out the way so I’d fall for their plan.”

“This all sounds a little far-fetched,” snaps Arkadi. “And who cares about your little whore?”

I push to my feet, and he shrinks back slightly. “She is carrying my child,” I hiss. “You will respect her.”

“Arkadi is right,” says Andrei, also standing. “She means nothing to us. If your father and Vivian are a match, it makes no difference to us.”

“My father is old school. The contacts in London will not deal with him, but they will deal with me. I have the run on all the business, and I plan to hand half of what they own to you six.”

“It’s mere pounds,” says Matvey, shrugging.

“It can be a lot more if I run things my way. I can make those bars and clubs amazing. They’ll rival Kat’s ten-fold. My father is cutting you all out. I won’t do that. This family means everything to me, and my father seems to have lost his love and respect for it, for what we stand for. What I’m offering you, my father cannot and will not.”

“What exactly are you offering?” asks Aleksandr.

“More money, a bigger cut of everything owned by Vivian, and contacts. I can let you expand into London. More weapons, more drugs, more access.”

“What do you want in return?” asks Akim.

“Your support. My father and Vivian will pay for what they’ve done to Victoria. In his place, I will stand. I need your backing.” There’s a tense pause while they exchange curious glances with one another. I’m asking a lot. They could pull a gun on me right now and take me out, choosing to back my father.

“I trust you have figures for all these businesses?” asks Matvey.

I nod. “I will have Marshall deliver them to you tonight.”

“Are you ready to lead our families?” asks Arkadi, shaking his head. “You’re not experienced enough in our ways. You ran off to London at the first opportunity.”

“I was building our future,” I correct. “We needed London, and I got it. Now, I’m offering it to you. I am ready to step up. I have a wife in place, a child on the way . . . I will deliver what my father could never.”

The men exchange wary looks. “We’ll discuss this after we’ve seen the figures,” says Aleksandr. “Tomorrow.”

I give a nod and head for the door. “Good evening, gentlemen.”

Victoria practically rushes at me the second she spots me. I give her a reassuring smile and take her hand. “We should get some rest,” I say, offering a smile to the women as we leave. “Goodnight.”