Chapter 2

Laura

THE NEXTday, I arrive at the church in a limo, feeling like a prisoner being transported to my execution.

The waiting room is a stark contrast to the opulence of the church itself, with its bare white walls and sparse furnishings. It’s like they couldn’t even be bothered to pretend this is a real wedding.

I can hear people talking in Russian outside, their voices muffled by the heavy wooden door. My heart is pounding so hard I feel like it might burst out of my chest.

I didn’t sleep a wink last night, too busy waiting for news about Victor, for someone to tell me he’s safe.

The whole night, I waited for him.

But no one came.

Yesterday, after breakfast, they just sent me back to my room like a misbehaving child. It wasn’t until this morning that a team of maids showed up with a makeup artist in tow, ready to paint me up like a goddamn doll.

I sit here now, letting them poke and prod at me again, feeling like I’m watching someone else’s life unfold.

This can’t be happening. This can’t be my fucking reality.

“You’re so lucky,” one of the maids gushes as she curls my hair for the hundredth time. “Victor is such a catch. You’ll be the envy of every woman in the Bratva.”

I want to laugh in her face, to tell her that luck has nothing to do with it. That I’m only here to serve a purpose to people who couldn’t give a shit about me.

But I don’t. I just sit there, staring at my reflection in the mirror.

I clamp down on my lip and give her a nod.

How could I have been so stupid, so naive?

My father’s words echo in my head, taunting me. He always said I was too weak, too gullible, constantly getting cheated by people. And now, look at me, trapped in this mess I never wanted, all because of my own stupidity.

I think of Ser, the one person who’s always been there for me.

She’s the only family I have left, and now, because of me, she’s in danger too.

What if the Bratva decides to use her as leverage to keep me in line?

I can’t bear the thought of anything happening to her because of my mistakes.

I should have seen through David’s lies, should have realized that he was too good to be true. But I was so desperate for love, for someone to see me as more than just a bookstore owner with a tragic past, that I ignored all the red flags. And now, I’m paying the price.

I can feel the tears welling up in my eyes, but I blink them back. I can’t let them see me cry; can’t let them know how much they’ve broken me. I have to be strong, for Ser’s sake, for my own sake. But God, it’s so hard when all I want to do is curl up in a ball and disappear.

I clench my jaw, feeling the anger rising inside me.

No. Fuck that! I’m not weak. I’m not some damsel in distress waiting for a man to save me.

I may be stuck in this fucked-up situation, but I’ll be damned if I let them break me. I’ll play along with their little charade, but I won’t let them take away who I am.

I have to think.

The maids finish their primping and preening, leaving me alone with my thoughts.

I hear voices outside the door, muffled at first but growing louder as they approach. I tense up, my heart pounding in my chest.

“I don’t give a fuck what you think,” a woman’s voice snaps. Ksenia. “You’re here to do a job, not offer opinions.”

“Of course, of course,” a man replies, his tone obsequious. “I didn’t mean to overstep.”

I frown.

There’s something familiar about his voice, something that makes my skin crawl.

But it can’t be…

The door swings open, and Ksenia strides in, her black dress clinging to her curves like a second skin.

And behind her… “Dad?” The word escapes my lips before I can stop it, a shocked whisper.

He looks different than the last time I saw him, his hair grayer and his face more lined. But it’s unmistakably him.

“Laura,” he says, his lips curling into a smirk. “You clean up well. Who knew you could look almost presentable?”

I stare at him, my mouth opening and closing like a fish out of water. “What… what are you doing here?”

Ksenia rolls her eyes. “He’s here to walk you down the aisle. Wasn’t that obvious?”

I shake my head, bile rising in my throat.

My eyes dart between Ksenia and my father, desperately searching for some hint of humanity, some shred of concern for my wellbeing. But all I see is cold indifference and thinly veiled greed.

Ksenia’s eyes lock with my own fleetingly before she dismisses me from her attention.

“Don’t forget, we’ve already transferred thirty grand to your account,” she says coldly, her attention fixed on my father. “That’s the only reason you’re here.”

My father laughs nervously, rubbing his hands together. “Yes, yes, of course. And I’m very appreciative of your generosity.”

I can’t believe what I’m hearing. My own father, bought and paid for like some cheap prop in this sick farce.

“You… you paid him to come here?” I whisper, my voice cracking.

Ksenia shrugs. “Every bride needs someone to give her away. And since your mother is dead and you have no other family, your father was the logical choice.”

Her words hit me like a slap in the face, tears pricking at the corners of my eyes. But I refuse to let them fall, blinking furiously to keep them at bay.

“So, what? He’s just here for the money?”

My father steps closer, lowering his voice conspiratorially. “It’s not like that, Laur. I wanted to come, to be a part of your special day.”

“My… special day?” I choke out, incredulous.

Dad clears his throat, drawing my attention back to him. He leans in toward me, his voice still low. “Laur, you’ve hit the jackpot here. The Morozovs are loaded. You’re lucky to be marrying into this family.”

I stare at him, my mouth falling open in disbelief. “Lucky? You think I’m lucky?” My voice cracks, tears threatening to spill over. “Do you even know who they are, Dad? What they’re capable of?”

He waves a dismissive hand. “Don’t be silly, Laur. I heard they’re going to rebuild the bookstore and settle all our debts. That’s a pretty sweet deal, if you ask me.”

“Dad, they’re dangerous,” I hiss under my breath, leaning closer as Ksenia turns to answer a knock at the door. “You have no idea what they’re capable of.”

He scoffs, rolling his eyes. “Don’t be so dramatic, Laur. You signed the contract, didn’t you? You knew what you were getting into.”

I stare at him, my jaw clenching.

Fuck. Laur, don’t expect anything from him.

I suck in a deep breath, trying to calm the rage bubbling up inside me. Of course he doesn’t care about my safety or wellbeing.

When has he ever?

This is the man who made my mother’s life a living hell, who crushed her spirit until she couldn’t take it anymore. The man who didn’t shed a single tear at her funeral.

I take a deep, shuddering breath, steeling myself against the pain. I should have known better than to hope for anything different.

Ksenia sighs heavily, her patience wearing thin. “As entertaining as this is, we really need to get moving. The ceremony starts in ten minutes.”

She turns to my father, her eyes narrowing. “Just remember, you’re here to walk her down the aisle and nothing more. Don’t try anything funny.”

He swallows hard, nodding vigorously. “Of course not. I wouldn’t dream of it.”

“But Victor…” I start, my voice trembling. “What about him? Is he okay? Where is he?”

“Don’t ask any stupid questions,” she snaps, striding back over to us. “It’s time.”

She grabs my arm in a vice-like grip, her fingers digging into my flesh through the delicate fabric of my dress. I wince but don’t resist as she starts hauling me toward the door.

My father falls into step beside us, straightening his tie with a self-satisfied smirk.

Ksenia flings open the door and we step out into the hallway. The sudden brightness makes me squint, my eyes adjusting to the light after the dimness of the waiting room.

I try to catch my father’s eye, searching for some hint of reassurance or comfort, but he’s already walking ahead, his back straight and his head held high. Like he’s proud to be here, proud to be selling his only daughter to the highest bidder.

Ksenia falls into step beside me, her grip on my arm never loosening. She leans in close, her lips brushing against my ear.

“Better pray hard that you have a husband to marry,” she whispers, her voice as cold as ice.