Denis frowns. “I’m not sure I want you going there anymore. You are to stay in this house where I can watch you at all times.”
My father was strict about me not dating anyone but he never controlled where I went. There was always a level of freedom with him.
With Denis, I’m thinking that’s going to be different.
“I promised my friends I would be there. So I’m going.”
“She’s going,” Mom adds. “You can’t keep her from the theater, Denis. She’s a dancer. She’s built a community there. She has a right to go.”
He sighs like what we’re asking is the end of the world. “All right. But make it back home soon. You’re meeting Antoni tonight. I was thinking you two could be married by the end of the month.”
I stand up straighter. “That soon?”
“Yes. Is that a problem?”
I share a look with my mom before I shake my head. “No. No problems here.” Something in my gut is telling me that I don’t want to upset Denis.
I give Irina and Ana a hug before heading out the door. Sasha doesn’t like to hug so I respect her space by not forcing her to touch.
Our private driver takes me to the theater. The sight of it makes my heart sting. It’s a reminder of what I lost. Yes, I could dance again but it’s too painful thinking of my dad. Dance was something we shared and now he’s gone.
I tell Richard, the driver, to wait by the car. I hurry inside and grab my things from my dressing room. Some makeup and clothes and hair products.
I leave the dressing room and am struck by how quiet the hallway is. My friends said the wanted to meet up but I don’t hear anyone. I text Jake and he tells me that we’re meeting tomorrow. I got my days mixed up. Shoot. I doubt Denis will let me come back here tomorrow.
I tell Jake not to worry about meeting up and head for the doorway at the end of the long hallway. The fluorescent lights above make everything look eerie. As I walk, I feel like the door is getting farther and farther away from me rather than closer, like I’m in some sort of dream.
I pick up my pace and run for the door.
An exhale of relief escapes me when my hand touches the door handle. I made it. Then I pull it open.
Mikhail is standing on the other side of the door. I didn’t even see him before.
With a gasp, I step back. “Mikhail.”
He enters the hallway, shutting the door behind him. I glance over his shoulder to look for Richard but I can’t see him through the dark glass.
“What are you doing here?” I ask.
“I followed you,” he admits. “I’ve been keeping an eye on your house. I wanted to know when Denis would make his move. When he would marry you to Antoni. Are you still going to marry him?”
I clutch the box tighter in my arms. Something tells me I need to be afraid. “I don’t want to but I don’t see any other choice. If I don’t marry Antoni, Denis will just force my younger sister, Sasha, to do it, and I know she’ll die inside if she’s forced to marry anyone.”
“Understandable. What if I offered you a different option?”
“What?” I ask breathless. The way he’s looking at me makes it hard to think.
“I could kill Antoni. Then he wouldn’t be a problem for you any longer.”
I blink. He can’t be… serious. Can he? “You would…”
“Kill? Yes, I would. I’ve done it before.” He says is so nonchalantly. I know Bratva men are dangerous. I know they’ve killed but hearing one admit it is another level of crazy.
“Has my father killed before?”
“I never saw Lev kill anyone with my own eyes but… yes. I know he’s killed some people. Does that scare you? That I’ve killed people before?” He steps closer to me and I back up until my spine hits the wall behind me. He tucks a piece of my hair behind my ear. His touch is electric.
“Yes. It scares me. But… I’m not surprised. I know what Bratva men do.”
