Hours passed as I made the necessary arrangements for my wedding. There were some benefits to being Yuri’s daughter. When I told the Russian Orthodox priest I needed him three weeks from now, he nodded. When I told him I wanted to marry in front of the Bellagio Fountains, he said no problem. When I asked for the hotel to book an already scheduled ballroom, they didn’t blink an eye. I was a Petrenko, and it didn’t matter if my father loved or hated me. To disrespect me meant disrespect to him. Any form of insult would not be tolerated.

I amassed hundreds of thousands of dollars in debts in a few hours. If my father wanted me married, he’d foot the damn bill. All my life, I’d been easy. I fell into place as a woman in a crime family. I held no power. I had no control. I did what I was told but no more. Everyone around me had an agenda, so why shouldn’t I?

There were too many balls in the air. Juggling wasn’t a skill I’d mastered. It was hard to keep everything in perspective when my world was disintegrating around me. Wasn’t a big wedding every girl’s dream? I’d scheduled mine in the same way someone ordered delivery pizza.

While getting it done was a relief, there was no joy in the event. Nothing made sense. I walked into the little Italian Bistro outside of the Bellagio and asked for a private table. Once my glass of wine was poured and my meal was ordered, I buried my head in my hands and cried. These were the only tears I’d shed for my brother. While he’d always been an asshole, he was still mine. There was a certain amount of loyalty expected when it came to family. At least he protected me as much as he tortured me. That couldn’t be said for my father. With Mikhail gone, I was truly alone in the world.

First-time brides weren’t supposed to go it alone. Who would help me pick out my dress? It was the last thing I had to do. It was something my mother should have been here for. I was furious at her. How could she leave me?

I stared at my phone. There were two texts from Matt. One to say he heard about Mikhail. Hard to believe he’d feel anything, especially when it concerned my brother. Those two were like oil and water. The second time, he said he was sorry? What was that for? Sorry for screwing me and then kicking me out of his office? Sorry for not listening when I tried to tell him the truth? Sorry because he was an asshole too?

As I sipped my wine, I thought about my mother. Was she sorry as well? Sorry didn’t help if it came with nothing. In three weeks I’d be Katya Volkov, no doubt in four weeks I’d be pregnant. Nine months later, I’d be lucky if I weren’t dead. Sergei had no need for me except for my womb. He needed the heir to the Petrenko fortune to secure his position.

As if my thoughts summoned him, my phone lit up with an incoming call.

“Hello,” I answered sweetly while giving him the finger.

“Where are you?”

“Planning our wedding, my love.” Never had I considered or would consider Sergei my love, but he would be my husband, and if I hoped to survive any of this, I’d need to be better at his game than he was. The man was a damn mannequin. He never let his body show what was going on inside his head. I’d be smart to learn that trick.

There was a minute before he replied. “For that, I am pleased.”

Which meant I’d disappointed him in something else. “I’ve got a few more things to iron out. I’ll be home then.” The word 'then' was nebulous. He couldn’t be upset about when I came home if the only reference to time was the word 'then'.

“I’ll be here waiting.”

Shit. I held up my empty glass to signal the waiter for a refill. Next, I texted Faye. While we weren’t close, she was the only female I could call a friend. I did save her life, and for that she owed me.

Where did you get your wedding dress?

It wasn’t like I loved her dress, but she managed to get it in hours. I’m sure it was over the top expensive, which was my objective at this point. My father wanted this marriage, and it came with a high price tag.

Couldn’t kill him yet?

So she remembered my statement at her house. I’d told everyone at the table that I had to marry Sergei if I couldn’t kill him before our wedding day. Since I’d so callously stabbed Dima, no one doubted my ability to pull it off.

No. I’ll marry him. It’s not like there are others waiting in line. And it’s not like I have much choice.

The waiter brought my wine and lasagna and left.

You should have a choice.

I laughed. It wasn’t like Faye had much choice either. It was either live in a box on the side of the street or marry Alex. She’d chosen Alex, but I’m sure there were moments when the box looked like it might have been the better option.

For some things, we have no choice. As for my wedding dress, I do.

While I generally didn’t eat much, I dug into my plate of lasagna. There was no doubt my life was going to change, and I needed the energy to get through each minute.

I’m not doing anything right now. Meet me at Camille’s in an hour? I owe you.

I was glad we were on the same page.

Forty minutes later, I walked into the bridal boutique dressed for a funeral but looking for a wedding dress.

“Can I help you?” The woman took me in the same way a gold digger looks for her next husband. I wasn’t a person. The price of my clothes and accessories were cataloged from my Gianvito Rossi shoes to my Gucci purse. I was a commission.

“I’m looking for a wedding dress. Non-traditional.”

She gave me a pruned expression. “So you want a cocktail dress?”

“I want something expensive. Something that will make my father gasp when he gets the bill.”

Her lips smoothed into a smile. “Do you want him to merely gasp or faint?”

I’d never seen my father faint. “Something that will require CPR please.”

The bell above the door rang, and Faye walked inside.

The woman left me and rushed over to her. “Mrs. Wilde, it’s lovely to have you back.”

I rolled my eyes. “She’s with me,” I said.

Immediately, we were ushered into a private room.

Faye gave me a hug. “I’m so sorry about your brother.”

I swallowed the lump in my throat. “These things happen to families like ours.”

“I’m so glad Alex is out of the business.”

Laughter bubbled from inside. “You can’t believe that’s true. You’re certainly not stupid, but geez Faye, are you having a moment? You can take the boy out of the mob, but you can’t take the mob out of the boy. It runs through his veins.”

“No, they’re out.”

“If you say so, but what happens when my husband comes after yours because he thinks he killed Dima? What happens to your family when my father goes after you or Matt or Rafe or Alex because he swears you are responsible for killing Mikhail? Will you all sit and wait for the bullet, or will you reach inside for your inner Gotti or Capone?”

“Are you telling me something?”

The older woman rolled in a rack of dresses and walked away. I thumbed through them. “Are you listening?” I asked her.

“How do you know?” Faye stood next to me and looked over my shoulder at the dresses.

“I have ears and eyes.” I pulled a short dress from the rack. It had a detachable skirt in the back. The price tag said thirty thousand dollars. “Take this dress, for example. It’s one-third the cost of a hit.”

Faye’s mouth dropped open. “It costs ninety thousand dollars to kill someone?” she whispered so the saleswoman didn’t hear.

“About a hundred, but I’m rounding up. I recently saw a large withdrawal for waste disposal in my father’s account. I can’t imagine paying that kind of money to get rid of household rubbish. Can you?”

Faye pressed the short gown with the skirt into my hands. “Try this on. I have to call Alex.”

“Maybe you’re smarter than I thought.” And maybe I wasn’t all that bright myself for telling her, but deep inside I cared about the Wildes. While Matt had broken my heart, I didn’t hate him. I understood him. After some thought, I could see why he was angry. I’d taken three years of his life away. I’d do it again if I thought it would guarantee he’d live.

I slipped out of the black dress and pulled on the white one. It needed altering. I didn’t have the body of a stripper, with big boobs and booty to match. My body was more like refugee meets model. In that way, I took after my mom. How I wish I could see her wedding day photos. Would she be smiling? Was the train of her dress out the door while she stood at the altar like a princess in a fairytale wedding? Did she wear a hefty bag and a belt because she didn’t give a shit?

“Oh my God. That looks great on you.”

I turned to Faye, who had a tear in her eye. I’d like to believe it was for me, but I was realistic. She was probably scared for her family. She swiped at the tear and rushed forward.

“You think it’s okay?”

“You look so beautiful.” She laughed. “Much better than me. It was you who told me my ass looked like I’d eaten the seven dwarfs in one sitting.”

“I was being childish and cruel. You were stunning. Maybe I’m just jealous that you have an ass.” I turned my back to the mirror and lifted up what could only be described as a coattail. “Mine is more like two crackers in a paper sack.”

“Matt must love crackers,” she replied.

“Matt hates me.”

“Give him time. I saw the way he looked at you at dinner. Don’t forget, he’s new to this world.” She pinched in the material, forcing it to hug my breasts. “He needs to acclimate to his new position and being free.”

I rubbed my hands down the silk. Even if I hadn’t been forced to marry Sergei, this would have been the dress I’d chosen. It was the perfect mix of tradition and attitude.

“I don’t have time to give him.” I waved the saleswoman over. “I’ll take this if you can alter it quickly. I’m getting married in three weeks.”

“Not a problem.” She left, and seconds later a tiny old woman shuffled in to mark the dress for alterations.

“I wonder if they have this in red?” I asked. A pin poked my hip even though that wasn’t the area the seamstress was working on. I looked down and saw her frown and wondered if my mother would have given me the same look.

“You’ll make a beautiful bride in white,” the woman said.

When the proposed alterations were pinned, I slipped from the dress. “I’d invite you to be my maid of honor if I didn’t think it would get you killed.”

Faye handed me my black dress.

“I appreciate that. I would have stood by you proudly, regardless. While I know our families are not going to see eye to eye ever, I appreciate you as a person Katya, and I’m proud to count you as my friend.”

Next to making love to Matt that morning, Faye was the best thing about my day. For a brief moment, everything felt normal.

Once payment was made, I hugged my only friend in the world goodbye and headed for home.

When I arrived, Sergei was waiting in the living room, sitting on the couch next to Timur. Despite the vaulted ceilings and open space, the room shrunk with their mass.

“Is everything set?” He rose and walked to the bar to pour me a glass of Vodka. The thought of needing a drink sent a shiver scurrying down my spine.

“Yes, everything is set but your tuxedo. I assume you have one.”

“Of course, my love.”

Timur thunked his glass on the table and left the room. There was no doubt he hated me.

“We are ready.” At least everything we needed was ready.

“Good." He walked to where I stood and threaded his hand through my hair and yanked my head back. While it didn’t hurt, it was a shock. “You do not make the rules for me, do you understand?” He tightened his hold, and I swore I’d be bald on our wedding day if he didn’t let go.

“What are you talking about?”

“You had my room moved when I was perfectly happy with my men.”

I wrenched myself free. “You are the king and deserve to rule your kingdom. You can’t do that by being in the servant’s quarters. No doubt my father put you there to show you your position.” I knew how to stroke men’s egos and piss them off. “If you want respect, find your place.”

His eyes narrowed. “You risk much with your mouth.”

“I gain much with my marriage. While I’m not your type, I will be your wife, and I will make sure everyone knows who you are.”

If at all possible, Sergei grew an inch. “I may keep you after all.” He leaned forward and kissed my forehead like he would a sibling. “From now on, you will consult me first.” He emptied his glass.

“Of course, my love.” Inside my head, I thought, Like hell, I will. The worst thing he could do was kill me.