Hidden behind my false cheerful facade is anger, disappointment, sadness but determination outweighs all of them. Surrounded by so many happy people jolts my mind. I may have been resolved for the past six years to live my life as directed by Dimitri but finding Alex has changed this. Always thinking of my family and how they could be hurt had persuaded me to stay the course that has slowly sucked the life out of me. But the time with Alex has shown me what I have been missing from my life. I want a life full of happiness, protection, and mind-blowing sex now that I have tasted it.
I want Alex…
I need Alex…
I love him… Alex is mine…
I now just have to make it happen.
Dimitri’s strong hand squeezes mine for about the hundredth time since we entered the stunning ballroom. Jules and I couldn’t have done a better job than what is before us tonight. The soft music from the musicians in the corner filters through, giving a calmness to the space. The dim lighting from the opulent chandeliers casts a romantic glow over the two hundred plus guests here. The tables sparsely spread through the impressive room allows people to mingle around them, placing used glasses on them or a place to sit at. Waitresses and waiters dressed in black suits mingle through the guests, handing them bubbles, spirits, or their preferred cocktails. Seamlessly, the delicious finger food is delivered to patrons.
“Two months… Isn’t that right, Isla?” A slight tug of the hand brings me back to the stunning couple in front of me, dressed entirely in formal wear.
“Yes, this time will go so fast. It’s an exciting time for Dimitri and I.” Smiling shyly at my husband-to-be, “There is so much to organize but Dimitri has taken care of most of it already. I am a lucky girl.” The woman looks at us warmly.
“You two look amazing together. Dimitri, where did you find this beauty?” The businessman takes a mouthful of his drink, waiting for an answer. I’m interested to hear it myself. But mostly I want to see if my fiancé pulls this asshole in line for eyeing me up and down. Practically drooling.
“She’s been a family friend for such a long time. I finally won her over.” A small laugh follows as he pulls me closer to him, kissing my cheek. I lean in to it.
“Good luck to both of you.” His joyful, hungry eyes look to mine. “Dimitri, don’t forget our meeting next Wednesday.”
“Not a chance.” Releasing me for a minute, he takes the woman’s slender hand and kisses it before shaking the man’s hand.
Always the gentleman…
Securing his arm behind my waist again, he leads me toward a table.
“You really are captivating. There’s not a single guy in this room that doesn’t want you, Isla. Married or not, they are all wishing they had you on their arm. In their bed. Having their way with you. Making you scream their name.” The warmth of his breath wafts past my neck as he murmurs in my ear.
Closing my eyes momentarily, I pretend Alex is next to me. Focusing, I snap my eyes back to Dimitri, calmly I state, “But I’m all yours… This ring proves it.” Resting my left hand on his shoulder, my look doesn’t falter. Dimitri oozes confidence and sex appeal. He’s handsome, commanding, and a man any woman would want despite his mature age. Holy hell… If I met him in any other way, than being used and pimped out by him and his associates, I possibly would have fallen head over heels in love with him. Unfortunately, there’s no way in any universe I could ever love this evil man.
“Don’t ever forget it, my dear.” A steely gaze casts over me.
“Can we go and see my mother now?” I need to be among people who love me. People I know.
“A great idea.” Standing taller than most of the guests, Dimitri surveys the large room and detects my mother.
“She’s over by the cake. Come, Isla.”
Linking his hand in mine, again, we walk toward my mother. My feet, heavy in these thin high heeled shoes, are getting sore. Being stopped by unknown well-wishers, laughing and displaying excitement, is weighing me down. My acting is holding firm, but I need to get to my loved ones.
At least thirty minutes later, they finally are in eye shot. My family… Less my mother and Ben.
Jules looks sexy in her low-cut, silver strapless dress that reflects the light from every precious mirrored gem attached to her short slim-fitting dress. Her blonde hair piled high on top of her head. Kameron looks ravishing in her black, tight leather dress, partnered with a black choker around her neck and black knee-length boots. Her intricate tattoos decorate her arms and wild windswept red-streaked hair delivers a dangerous vibe to anyone looking at her. Devastatingly sexy is Seth next to her, exuding command and respect. His protective stance over Kameron is noticeable. Dressed to kill any woman’s senses in his black formal tuxedo, his deep brown hair is slicked back, and his dark blue stormy eyes are heavily trained on his girl and every now and then around the room. For the first time tonight, I let a genuine smile erupt on my face.
Trying to restrain myself from running, Dimitri leads me a few more steps to my family.
“How is everyone on this momentous evening? Isla and I are so glad you could join us.” Reaching his hand out, he shakes Seth’s hand. “Nice to meet you, Seth and Kameron.” Crap, how does he know his name? He hasn’t met him before…
Seth politely shakes his sturdy hand before Dimitri leans in to kiss Kameron on the cheek, moving swiftly to Jules. “You look lovely tonight, Jules. Nearly as stunning as my bride-to-be.”
Is that a genuine smile from my fiancé? His eyes sparkle as though he actually means it. Shaking my head internally to clear the thought from my mind, I reach forward to hug my dearest friends. Jules hugs me tighter than ever before, releasing me into Kam’s warm embrace and a kiss on the cheek from Seth. Concern filters across all of their eyes temporarily before they restore their smiles.
“I’m so happy you could all come tonight,” my tone bright and airy. “Doesn’t this place look amazing, Jules? We may need to steal some of their ideas?” My head tilts to the ground, as I remember I no longer work with Jules.
“The room is an absolute beauty. Dimitri, you have done a great job getting this organized on such short notice. There’s no way we could have been able to prepare this with only a week’s notice,” Jules speaks freely and with confidence.
“Money has a way of talking and getting the job done when needed. This night had to be perfect for my darling Isla. Nothing is too good for her and I would do anything to keep that smile on her face.” Lifting my chin with his finger, his lips seal a kiss over my mouth. It takes all my will power not to hurl my insides up all over him. I guess the men he served me to were up to his standards for his darling Isla…
“All that romancing and fine dining you’ve showed Isla over the years must have finally swept Isla off her feet,” Jules sweetly says before taking a sip of her bubbly champagne. Her blue eyes spearing an arctic look his way. “I must admit, I was flat out keeping up with Isla’s commitments after work each day. Waiting for nightly calls to let me know she had arrived home in one piece. But it’s all worked out for the best now, hasn’t it, Dimitri?”
Fuck… Moving my head to catch a waiter’s eyes, a young man heads my way, giving me a glass of alcohol. Tipping it back, I nearly finish the whole glass in one mouthful.
Dimitri hasn’t taken his eyes from Jules. An amused smirk forms. “Maybe I could fix you up with one of my many friends, Jules. Show you exactly how you deserve to be looked after?”
Slowly taking a piece of her hair and wrapping behind her ear, she continues to smile, and goad. “Thank you for your kind offer, but I have my hands full with work at the moment now Isla is no longer with me. No time for a male and their complications.”
“You never know, Jules, when someone may just sweep you off your feet. Taking you to places you could never dream of.” The tone Dimitri uses can’t be mistaken. It’s sinister and a threat, even though his face conveys joy. I have to hand it to Jules, she’s one of the strongest women I know, she didn’t recoil at any of his words.
Seth interjects, “Isla, Kameron’s been eyeing off your cake. When are you going to cut it?”
My rapidly beating heart thanks Seth for his quick thinking. “I have to see mother first. After that, maybe? Dimitri?”
As if on cue, my brother rounds Dimitri in a dark navy suit, looking very handsome holding my small mother’s arm. There’s concern etched upon his face. Mother is sobbing into a handkerchief, almost unladylike while Ben tries to console her and walk at the same time. With his back to us, he hasn’t noticed us standing there yet.
“I can’t let this happen, Benjamin. We can’t let this happen.” Mother’s words aren’t quiet. Dimitri looks as though he is about to eradicate mother from this planet.
“Sshh, it’s all going to be all right. I don’t know why all of a sudden you’re so upset.” Standing still and holding mother’s arm strongly, he looks with care at our mother.
She’s trying to whisper but her hiccups make her voice louder. “He will hurt Isla. He has hu…”
“Adeline.” Dimitri’s forceful voice is just loud enough for our circle to hear. His face shows the true evil Dimitri for a second. There’s no mistaking he would like to harm my mother at this point in time. Ben abruptly turns and sees me and my fiancé hand in hand. I can tell he wants to ask questions, but the boom of Dimitri’s voice must have snapped her out of her state, or sent her into a hypnotized trance where she now appears calm and collected. Wiping her nose one last time, she places her handkerchief in her clutch and tries very hard to smile.
Eyeing her cautiously, Ben leans in and whispers in her ear.
She smiles brighter, “I’m okay. I don’t know what came over me, but I feel better now.” Jules walks over to mother and gives her a large embrace, giving Ben the chance to acknowledge us.
“This must be the man of the moment.” Ben is smiling now, albeit, he is not as enthusiastic as he normally is. Mother’s words and actions will still be foremost in his head. He has no idea of the actual truth that has been hidden for the past six years.
He bro-hugs Dimitri, patting him on the back. “Welcome to our family, Dimitri.” Looking at me, he then adds, “I didn’t even know you had a boyfriend, Isla. You always did keep secrets well hidden from me when we were younger.” He leans his arm casually on Dimitri’s shoulder, like a brother would. “Mom told me about the engagement, Isla, why didn’t you call me?” His smile turns down slightly.
Worried about what to say, I try to think of a response but Dimitri steps in, “Your mother said she would let you know after we told her the good news and showed her the beautiful ring. Isn’t she thoughtful, Benjamin?” I try and lighten my face with a large smile to comfort Ben and mom’s thoughts. I realize I haven’t introduced them officially yet.
“Dimitri, this is Benjamin, or Ben, my little brother.” Hugging Ben, I hold on for a few seconds before moving over to hug my mother. Her floral A-line dress, makes her look younger than her forty-odd years. There’s a few tear streaks that remain on her face. I quickly wipe my fingers over them, smoothing them out.
“Thanks for coming, Mother.” I whisper in her ear.
“You look nearly as beautiful as your daughter, Adeline.” Grasping her small hand, he kisses the back of it, studying her eyes. I see her hand shaking. Her chest rising and falling fast, trying to reign her fear in. Swiveling her neck so she doesn’t have to keep direct eye contact for longer than necessary, mother looks around the room.
“It’s so beautiful. The room is spectacular and there’s so many people. How do you know them all?”
Laughing a little, I know a whole six people in the room, including my babysitter and my deranged fiancé. “They are Dimitri’s friends or associates. Is that right?”
“Yes, my dear. All influential people and business associates with a few close friends amongst them.”
Sweeping my hair over my shoulder, Dimitri leans close to my neck nipping it. “Let’s go, Isla. It’s time for our announcement.”
“Oh, okay…” My body twitches trying to find some space from his strong, broad body. My lungs feel as though they are going to burst from lack of room. Being in front of all these unknown people is the last thing I want to do. But my acting must continue, especially after the comment Jules made to him. I know I’m going to regret them later tonight. Plastering a smile on my beautifully made-up face, I politely say, “I’ll be back over to talk some more in a while. I need to get myself a slice of that heavenly cake over there.” I try to put some excitement in my voice and pep in my step to keep my act up.
Everyone but Ben knows I’m like a lamb going into the slaughterhouse. There’s no return from tonight. My photo will be on every social media site and newspaper around the world within a few hours. Enemies, including drug cartels, gun smugglers, other mafia families and murderers who associate with Dimitri will know who I am. And how they can bring my fiancé to his knees. That’s if they believe he actually cares about me and with my performance tonight, how could they doubt it?
Placing my body just slightly in front of his, he guides me with his hand placed firmly on my bare skinned back to the table that has one of the most spectacular four tier cakes I have ever seen before. In a deep violet icing, there are cascades of silver encrusted sparkles flowing from the top tier to the sparse few on the bottom tier embedded on the surface. The multitude of reflections casting from the top tier is truly magnificent. Entwined silver initials D and I stand proudly atop of the cake, enhancing our commitment.
My muscles start to clamp tighter seeing it, reminding me of the dress Dimitri sent to me in Las Vegas, where my entire world fell apart. There is no coincidence that this cake resembles that outfit. Just another reminder from my fiancé that he controls me and my life. Crap… Now I’m thinking about Alex…which I haven’t done now for the past twenty minutes…
A microphone is handed to Dimitri. The softly playing instruments cease. Grasping my left hand decisively, his commanding gruff voice fills the room.
“I’d like to welcome you all to this special night where I can proudly announce and show off my stunning and beautiful soon-to-be wife, Miss Isla Winters.” His deep dark eyes cast around the room as his words permeate the silence. “It is with much pride that I asked Isla to be my wife and she happily accepted my offer.” Pulling my quivering body next to his, I’m overwhelmed by everyone looking at me. A look of concern filters through his eyes. Resting the microphone on a nearby table, without letting my body go, he turns me so I face his large frame completely and bends down holding my face, passionately and tenderly kissing me for every person here tonight to witness. Is Dimitri trying to reassure me? His actions sometimes contradict his words completely.
Breaking the kiss, he slides his thumb over my wet lips before he takes the microphone back into his hand. “Please, raise your glasses for my exquisite fiancée. To Isla Winters. May your years ahead be filled with everything your heart desires with me right by your side, making your dreams come true.” A waiter hands us both a glass of champagne. My hand shakes uncontrollably, nearly spilling the contents. I’ve just become the number one target for Dimitri’s enemies, along with Dimitri himself. Latching on to the glass with my lips, Dimitri smiles before taking a drink of the alcohol. There is clapping and cheering around us. The ring on my left hand, being crushed by his grip, reminds me to smile. Removing the flute from my mouth, I gently lean toward Dimitri’s square jaw, kissing him sweetly on the lips, casting my pupils up to meet his. Deciding to hold this pose for a second, so everyone with a camera can snap away, I long to talk to my friends again. Twenty minutes wasn’t enough, and god knows when I will be allowed out again, now the news is public.
“Let’s cut the cake. Take the knife.” He releases my hand, standing behind me, so I am able to hold the knife. Reaching for the knife, placed decoratively on the table next to the cake, flashes of me swiveling quickly, plunging the knife into Dimitri’s chest, override my thoughts. It would be too late for anyone to do anything about it. His bodyguard, strategically placed along the wall, blending with the crowd wouldn’t even be able to reach him in time. But with so many witnesses, jail time would be a certainty. And still Alex and I would be apart…
Lifting the knife slowly, I can feel his suit on my bare back and his athletic arms around my waist. Pressing the knife in fully, his lips travel up my neck.
“Mine,” is uttered before he takes ahold of my lips again, making me leave the knife embedded in the dense cake. Nodding my head, my body surrenders to his. The noise of the guests seems far away. How am I going to get out of this mess?
Letting me go, Dimitri raises both his hands bidding everyone to enjoy and have a fantastic night before turning his attention back to me.
“Your body is becoming aware of who owns it now…” Whispering while bringing me back to his body. I can feel his hard dick against my stomach. “It won’t be long ‘til you’re begging me to fill you with my cock, ramming you into oblivion.” My arms rest upon his thick shoulders. I will not give in…
My exposed skin tingles, making my body quiver lightly but hum within.
This reaction isn’t for Dimitri…
It’s only for Alex…
“Let us go and see your mother and friends again.” Ushering me around, we walk a few paces before I see why my body is lighting up.
Alex is standing with Seth and Kameron, staring directly at me.
And Dimitri…