Chapter 18

Aweek later

Riley

Since Maxim had mentioned the Murphys' name, nothing had come of it. I hadn't really thought about my lie until my last name fell off Maxim's lips, but it weighed heavily on my mind ever since then. I wanted to tell him that I'd given him a fake name, but I was nervous about how he'd react. Would he be angry? Worried? Honestly, I didn't know how to possibly gauge him, so I did the next best thing.

I ignored it, mostly because a tiny little part of me knew that I would get into really big trouble if he ever found out, the kind of trouble that would end with his belt and my very sore bare bottom coming to terms once again.

Murphy was a common enough name anyway. The chances that the Murphys he knew were my cousins were slim to none.

Right?

I shook my head nervously as the car drove through the streets of Boston and tried to focus on the fact that this was my first outing since Maxim had taken me under his wing and for some strange reason, he'd sent me off on my own.

Sure, I had three bodyguards, but it was an outing, nonetheless. No one had really told me where we were going, but the moment the vehicle pulled to a stop, the point of the field trip became obvious.

We had pulled up in front of a bridal shop. It was quaint, and elegantly named Belle Mariée. The name was etched in graceful, looping script on a chic, frosted glass sign that hung just above the door. The windows of the shop displayed a stunning array of wedding dresses, from classic lace gowns with long, flowing trains to more modern designs with sleek, clean lines and daring cuts.

The front of the shop was painted a soft, inviting cream color, and the window displays were adorned with delicate floral arrangements that added a touch of romance and whimsy. It was nestled between a florist and a high-end jewelry store, which almost seemed too perfect, like a bridal haven for those in need.

As the car door opened, my bodyguards—one tall and broad, the other two slightly shorter but equally stern-looking—stepped out first, scanning the area with practiced eyes. They were all dressed in smart, dark suits and looked the part of professionalism. Once they deemed the area secure, they motioned for me to follow.

I stepped out of the car, my heart pounding with a mix of excitement and nervousness. The bodyguards escorted me to the front door of the dress shop. As I entered, the door chimed softly behind me. Then they took up positions outside the door, standing like sentinels guarding a fortress.

"You must be Riley," a female voice carried from the back of the shop. "I'm Irina."

A woman around my age with sage green eyes and jet-black hair stepped out from amongst the dresses. She was really very pretty, with delicate but strong features and they were narrowed in on me like a laser on a target.

Instantly, my whole body was on alert.

"Nice to meet you," I ventured carefully.

"I'm Maxim's daughter," Irina continued, and my breath stuck in my throat with a sharp gasp. "You're about to marry my father," she stated more than asked, her tone mingling with disbelief and a hint of challenge.

"I am," I replied, my voice a bit steadier than I felt. I opened my mouth to say something more, but the chime of the shop door announced someone else's arrival and I turned to see another striking woman step into the shop.

She carried herself with undeniable authority, her sharp green eyes scanning the room before settling on me. With dark burgundy hair pulled up into a bun and dressed in an impeccably tailored pantsuit, she was the epitome of power and elegance.

"Ah, you must be Riley. I'm Ada Murphy," she said, as she approached with an extended hand. Her gaze briefly flickered to Irina, acknowledging her with a quick nod, before returning to me.

My gaze searched her face. I'd only met my cousins when I was little and I didn't remember their faces, but there was something about Ada that seemed suspiciously familiar, yet I couldn't put a finger on it.

I decided I was crazy. It was probably just my guilty conscience seeing things at this point.

I kept telling myself that until I believed it.

"Yes. That's me. It's a pleasure to meet you, Ms. Murphy," I replied, taking her hand. Her handshake was firm, her entire demeanor exuding the self-assuredness of someone used to being in charge.

"Please, call me Ada," she corrected lightly and immediately I felt a little more at ease. "And Irina, put your claws away. Today is about welcoming Riley into the family. Remember how you felt when your father met Aidan for the first time? You were nervous too, right?"

Irina scoffed but turned to her with a nod.

"Aidan's quite a bit older than me too," she offered with a soft knowing smile, and I blushed.

She had no idea.

I could hear Maxim calling me his little girl and spanking my bare bottom and making me call him Daddy and I shivered.

Fuck, what had I gotten myself into?

I smiled quickly, trying to cover up my wayward thoughts and lifted my chin.

"Maxim, Irina, and I thought it would be nice to surprise you with a day out trying on dresses. You'll be safe here. We're deep in my family's territory and the Orlovs know better than to fuck with us," Ada offered, and I relaxed a little bit more.

"You both know about the Orlovs, then?"

"They won't ever touch you. Maxim wouldn't allow it, and neither would we," Ada continued.

"You can count on my father's word," Irina added, and I breathed out a sigh of relief.

"Now, enough talk about serious stuff, let's try on some dresses," Ada demanded and the three of us giggled together, the mood immediately lightening.

I nodded and smiled as the two women flanked me and led me deeper into the shop. Ada plucked a few choices from the racks, her taste impeccable as she selected a variety of styles.

"This one has a classic cut but with a modern twist," Ada explained, holding up an A-line dress with intricate lace detailing. "I think it might suit you beautifully."

Irina, meanwhile, was drawn to something bolder. "What about this one?" She pulled out a sleek, off-the-shoulder gown with a dramatic train. "It's a bit more daring, but I think it could be stunning on you."

I was touched by their enthusiasm and found myself warming to the task, the initial nervousness about these two women giving way to the warmth of their welcome.

"So, Riley, tell us a bit about where you grew up. Maxim's been somewhat vague on the details," Irina asked, her expression doing nothing to hide her curiosity.

Her question was casual but pointed, and I hesitated for a moment. Should I tell them the truth? Mostly, I didn't want to lie. I wanted to be their friend and lying wasn't a good foot to start out on.

So I decided to be honest.

"I grew up in the foster system in Ireland," I began, my voice soft. "It wasn't always easy, but it taught me a lot over the years."

Ada listened intently, nodding. "It sounds like you've come a long way."

I smiled as a memory from my childhood popped up in my head.

"What is it?" Irina asked.

"Well, I used to dress up in princess dresses—nothing as beautiful as these, of course. I'd pretend to marry my stuffed animals. It was a just a game, but I remember how my foster mom at the time used to encourage me."

"That's incredibly sweet," Irina said, her tone warm as she chose another dress for me to try. "It must be surreal then, trying on real wedding dresses now."

"It is," I admitted, feeling a mix of emotions as I touched the fabric of one of the gowns. "Today feels like I'm stepping into one of those childhood games, except it's real this time."

Ada smiled, handing me the first dress to try on.

"Let's make sure your wedding day feels just like those dreams then, only better. Irina and I have found our fairytale ending and you deserve yours too, Riley."

The conversation flowed easily from there, the initial awkwardness gone as we bonded over fabric choices, lace, and tulle. I tried on dress after dress, but finally, I came to the one.

The gown was stunningly simple, embodying elegance without ostentation—a deep V-neckline and a flowing, soft tulle skirt that cascaded gracefully to the floor. The bodice was adorned with subtle, hand-embroidered floral designs that were so beautiful they stole my breath away.

I took a deep breath and walked out of the fitting room.

Irina and Ada paused mid-conversation, turning to look as I walked timidly into the viewing area. Their reactions were instant.

"Oh, Riley," Irina breathed, her eyes lighting up. "That's the one. It's absolutely you."

Ada nodded in agreement, her eyes appraising me in the mirror. "It's perfect. It's elegant, it's graceful—just like you."

I looked at myself in the mirror, and for the first time, I felt a sense of belonging in this fabric, in this skin, in this moment.

I felt like I was exactly where I was supposed to be.

"Do you think Maxim will like it?" I asked, a hint of nervousness in my voice. Despite the confidence the dress gave me, I wanted it to resonate with Maxim too.

I was Daddy's little girl and I just wanted to make him proud.

"He's going to love it," Ada reassured me, her voice confident. "When he sees you walking toward him in this, trust me, he'll be the proudest and luckiest man in the world."

Irina came over, adjusting a stray piece of tulle and smoothing it down.

"He won't be able to take his eyes off you," she said, smiling. "And if I have anything to say about it, he better not," she added with a wink.

"We'll need to get these alterations done and fast, but I have someone who can make that happen. And then there's the matter of shoes and accessories and flowers…" Ada chuckled and stood up, reaching for her phone.

The three of us shopped our little hearts out. We picked up shoes and a veil in the bridal shop, a soft white pair of kitten heels that gave me just a little height, as well as jewelry and flowers from the shops next door.

I had the best time, but I found myself thinking of Maxim as time wore on.

I knew who I was marrying. He didn't because I wasn't Riley O'Brien.

I was Riley Murphy.

Maybe after he found out, he wouldn't want to marry me after all.