Ive doesn’t go anywhere. I’d dressedin front of him a couple of times without any worries, but this was different. Tonight I was dressing to go as his wife, by his side, and meet other brigadiers, and that was terrifying. I didn’t want to embarrass him.
With my underwear on, I reached for the dress. Ive had already lowered the zipper, so I stepped into it and wriggled my way to holding the bodice against my chest. Ive stepped close without me even asking and he eased the zipper up. It did require a few tugs, but he eventually got it worked up. Glancing behind me, I thanked him.
I’d never been good with makeup, or with handling my hair. I used one of the hair grips that Ive had gotten for me, and Ipulled some of my hair back, pinning it up. That was as good as it was going to get.
The dresswas lovely. It didn’t have any sleeves or straps, and molded against my chest. My breasts and the tightness of the zipper was what kept it up. There was a great deal of support there. The corset ended at my waist, and then flared out to hit the floor.
Ispotted the shoes that went with the dress in front of me and I stepped into them. In doing so, I lifted to look my husband in the eye.
“These are high,” I said, feeling the panic sweep over me.
Ive stepped close and wrapped an arm around my waist. “Then I’m going to be here to make sure you don’t fall.”
Now this made me smile.
“We could stay in?” I was hopeful.
“Ivan would come and visit.”
“I could pretend to be sick and you could take care of me.”
He chuckled. I loved the sound. Ive didn’t laugh a lot and I knew for a fact he never did when anyone else was around. He kept his humor and his caring to me and me alone.
“Trust me, he would concoct some other evil way to deal with us.” He winked at me. “Are you ready to leave?”
No, I wasn’t, but there was no reason to stall. I was dressed and ready to go. Might as well get this humiliation over with before they figure out they made a big mistake in picking me. Cassie would have been the better choice. She knew what she was doing. I didn’t. I was the biggest loser going.
I didn’t say a single word, not as we left Ive’s home. Hubert was driving us. I sat in the back of the car and was relieved that Ive hadn’t let go of my hand. This was a welcome relief. Taking a deep breath, I look outside of the car window at the passing scenery.
Ive tugged on my hand and held up his cell phone. There was a picture of a couple. “This is Slavik and Aurora. They currently have one child, and I believe they have a second on the way, but I’m not sure of those details as they’re keeping everything close before announcing.” He swiped across the screen. “This is Andrei and Adelaide. Andrei was supposed to marry her sister, but before the big day, he discovered some truths about the sister, and Adelaide took her place.”
“And they still allowed Adelaide to live?”
“Adelaide had sworn her loyalty to Ivan and she proved herself with him. Her life was also put at risk as her sister hired hitmen to kill her.”
“Wow,” I said.
I was thankful for Cassie.
“They’re going to be at the dinner tonight. I’mnot sure if Victor or Peter will be joining us.”
“Who are they?”
“They’re Ivan’s other brigadiers. We’ve all sworn our loyalty to him.”
“Sometimes. Not often.”
I couldn’t help but wonder what Aurora and Adelaide were like. They had both been smiling and seemed happy at the wedding.
Ive picked up my hand. “You need to stop worrying.”
“You can tell?”
“Ivan could do that?”
“Yes, he knows a lot ofpeople, and, well, he doesn’t like it when people hurt his own.”
I knew Ivan was a powerful person. He was still the only person to scare my father. After meeting him, I could understand why some people were afraid of him. There’s a darkness within him that he tried so hard to hide. He doesn’t do it very well. I didn’t tell Ive this. Instead, I kept my thoughts to myself.
“Loyalty and trust are two things Ivan values more thananything else, Charlotte.”
“Why don’t you ever call me Lottie?” Now that I think about it, Ivan stopped calling me Lottie and so has Cassie.
“Lottie is not your name. Charlotte is.”
I didn’t bother to ask any more questions, and we had arrived at the restaurant. There was a man waiting and he opened the car door for Ive. In the main car mirror I see Hubert’s irritation. He climbed out of the car but Ive had already stepped out. He held out a hand for me, which I took without hesitation. I slide across the seat, and Ive steadied me. The shoes were not a great idea. They are a little too high for me, but I didn’t say anything. Just kept a smile on my face, and kept walking. I didn’t think I would have been quite so graceful if I didn’t have Ive’s arm wrapped around my waist.
I love it when he holds me close. From kidnapper to lover, that was Ive. And of course my husband. Yep, I had the rings on my finger to prove it as well.
The restaurant is busy. I’m tense because the last time I stepped into a restaurant, well, we got to the dinner being delivered and then all hell broke loose. I hoped this one went a little better, otherwise I wouldn’t eat out again. Not ever.
I spot Ivan in the middle of the restaurant and I see Slavik and Aurora as well as Andrei and Adelaide. My heart is pounding but I hope it doesn’t show. There is one other man at the table, but I cannot remember his name.