Ivan
The elevator doors open, and I lead Vittoria into my apartment. I pause once we’re over the threshold and signal to my guard Aleks to come over. “Search her for weapons.”
Vittoria looks at me, surprised. “Excuse me? No one’s putting their hands on me.”
“I’d be a fool to trust my new bride to come in here unarmed, with an aim to kill me. These sorts of alliances can turn sour very quickly. So you get searched, and then I will take you to our bedroom.” I stand there, and Vittoria looks at me disdainfully before she holds her arms out. Aleks begins to check her over, and while he does, I speak to her, “I know this isn’t what you want, but no matter how beautiful you are or how I feel towards you, you are now part of my family, and your loyalty should be with me. Be loyal to me, Vittoria. You might even come to love me, and I will never hurt you.”
Aleks stands up. “No weapons, Pakhan.”
“This way, Vittoria,” I say, but before I can move, she crosses her arms.
“Tori.” She says simply.
I look at her. “Excuse me?”
“I hate being called Vittoria. Everyone calls me Tori. If we’re going to be together, then I would prefer you call me Tori.” Her blue-gray eyes bore into me, and I smirk at her resistance.
“Fine, Tori, come this way so you can unpack.” I walk down the hallway. “Your things are already in our room. We’ve cleared some space for you to unpack your things, and if you need anything, I will give you my bank card so you can purchase what you want.”
I walk into the bedroom. Her things are piled on one side of the king bed, and I look at her. “I’m sure you’ll want to change out of your wedding dress as well. There’s a garment bag to hang it up in.”
“Where will you sleep?” she asks quietly, almost shyly.
I cock an eyebrow. “Next to you. We are husband and wife. Normally, that means we share a bed. If you need time to settle, I won’t consummate our marriage yet, but you should know it will happen sooner or later.”
She looks stricken, but I have other things to deal with, so I leave the bedroom and head back to the main living area. I take out my phone and dial my cousin’s number, waiting for him to answer.
“Evgeni, come in the morning so we can discuss our plans for the Sorvino territories. I want to go over every possibility,” I say.
“Sure, no problem,” Evgeni says, I hear giggling, and I know he’s with a woman. I shake my head and hang up. The front door opens, and Leonid walks in.
I glance at him as I walk past, going to the tray where I keep my finest whiskey and vodka. I pour us each a drink and offer him a glass. He takes it and sips it slowly.
“We could have the Sorvinos now where we want them,” Leonid says casually. “We should treat your bride as a bargaining chip, a hostage, and negotiate better terms if they don’t want her to die.”
The thought of Tori coming to harm doesn’t sit well with me, which in itself is strange. Since my wife passed, I’ve been a pretty cold person. I don’t believe in allowing myself to get emotionally attached to people, though I see the power of them getting emotionally attached to me. Loyalty gets you very far with people. I wave him off, annoyed. “I’m not going to do that. I’m a man of my word if nothing else, and now that I’ve married Tori, you will treat her with the level of respect she deserves in our family. As my wife, she holds more standing than even you, Leonid, as my second in charge.”
Leonid looks sour, but I down my drink. “Anastasia will be back soon. Why don’t you go home and worry about your own affairs for once, my brother? We will meet tomorrow to discuss my plans for our family.”
Leonid also downs his drink and sighs. “Yes, Pakhan.”
I know he’s annoyed when he addresses me formally, but Leonid is always a bit touchy. It’s why I keep a close eye on him. He has a temper and is impulsive, so I have to ensure he doesn’t do something rash. I know it was he who ordered the hit on the Sorvinos, but I had to support him after the fact to avoid fractioning my own family. I don’t condone what he did. It almost sent us into total war. It did, however, land me with my beautiful bride.
I spend the rest of my evening reading. Tori doesn’t come out of the bedroom, so I assume she’s taking her time unpacking her things into the walk-in closet. I glance at my watch: almost ten at night. I sigh. My daughter’s flight must have been delayed, which happens occasionally.
I’m trying to concentrate on this new book by Celeste Riley, but my mind keeps drifting back to Tori. Her figure, her hair, and her eyes are all I can think about-how physically perfect she is. I haven’t felt this way about someone since Anastasia’s mother, and I never thought I’d feel this way again. This is physical attraction. That’s all it is, I mentally scold myself. It’s a physical attraction.
I hear the elevator ping, place my bookmark between the pages, and set the book down. I stride out of the library and see Anastasia coming in, my guards helping her with her luggage.
“Father!” she declares, throwing her arms around my neck. I hug her tightly and kiss her head. “Ana! Welcome back. How were your travels?”
“They were fine, delayed as usual, but I’m glad to be back.” She gives me a bright smile. “I’m sorry I wasn’t home in time for your wedding.”
“It’s okay. You’re home now, and that’s what matters the most.” I stroke the hair out of her eyes. “Talking of my new bride. Let the guards take your things to your room, and I’ll introduce you to her.”
“What’s her name?” Anastasia asks as we walk together.
“She wants to be called Tori, but her name is Vittoria,” I explain, opening the bedroom door to find Tori, changed and dressed in jeans and a sweatshirt, hair tied up, sitting on the bed with her hands folded in her lap.
She stands up as I walk in.
“Tori, this is my daughter, Anastasia. Ana, this is Tori,” I say, gesturing between them.
Anastasia gives Tori the once-over glance I know too well, and then she extends her hand. “Hi, Vittoria. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
Tori seems awkward as she shakes my daughter’s hand, and yes, I can see how it would be a bit weird being my bride and the same age as my child.
“Thank you, Anastasia. It’s a p-pleasure to meet you, t-too.”
Anastasia lets go of Tori’s hand, turns around, and leaves the room. I chuckle. “My child is impatient and probably tired from her travels. Is there anything you want before we go to bed? Did you manage to unpack everything?”
“I managed to unpack everything, thank you,” Tori says awkwardly.
“I’ll change in the bathroom for bed then. I don’t need anything else.”
“I’ll change here and freshen up once you’re done,” I say, waiting for her to grab her things and leave the room.
I strip down to my boxers and put my clothes in the hamper. My mother always ran an immaculate house, and I like to run the same. Everything is in its place, and everything is in order. An ordered mind is a clear mind.
Tori comes out dressed in long pajamas, and I smirk. “You might want to consider putting on something more light. The duvet is thick.”
“I’ll be fine,” she insists, looking around. I point to the hamper. “You can put your dirty clothes in there. We have a maid who will wash everything and pack it away.”
As she does that, I go to the bathroom to brush my teeth and trim my beard. I like to keep it short and neat.
After I finish washing up, I come into the bedroom to find her beside the bed. “Well, get in.”
She slides the duvet back and slips into bed. She pulls the duvet right up to her chin, turning her back to where I would be.
I turn the main lights off, slide into the bed, and turn the bedside lamp off.
We aren’t touching, but there’s a heat between us that I can sense, and it has nothing to do with the room temperature or the thickness of the duvet. She is a remarkably attractive woman. There’s no reason I shouldn’t be attracted to her after all.
Those blue-gray eyes are legendary in her family, and I can see why. They are a gateway into another world. A part of me wants to turn on my side and spoon her, feel her body against mine. I promised I’d wait to consummate the marriage, though, and I am a man of my word.
She needs to get settled, I don’t know what kind of experience she has, and quite frankly, I don’t trust her mouth near my dick just yet. However, the thought makes me turn my back to her as my dick gets semihard at the idea.
I try to think of other things before drifting off.
Vittoria
The days have passed slowly, and I have spent most of them trying to figure out a way to establish myself in a position to get information for my family on the Volkovs.
Ivan is like a brick wall regarding information, and it’s clear he doesn’t trust me. He gave me my own debit card and said I could move the apartment around to suit my own needs. Wanting to appear appreciative, I’ve done my best to invent a space where we all can cohabit together, although Anastasia is less than pleased about this.
The penthouse apartment is bigger than any apartment I’ve ever been to, and that’s saying something. I’ve discovered many different rooms, from the gym to the home theater, but my favorite is the library. Ivan clearly is an avid reader, and I don’t think I’ve found one untouched book in his library.
I spend most of my time there pouring over stories in-between napping on the sofa since there isn’t much for me to do. I don’t even see Anastasia that much because she’s always going out, which I’m thankful for. I’ve never been really good at social interaction, and I wouldn’t know what to say to her, even though she’s my age.
Even if I wanted to get to know her, she’s useless to me. My family trusts me to get the information they need to destroy Ivan and his family, and I need to focus on that.
The only problem is that I haven’t found an in, and I feel the pressure to do it soon.
It’s been five days, and after a particularly long nap on the sofa, I decide to order some pizza from my favorite pizzeria for lunch. As I walk through the apartment, I pause when I see Leonid and Ivan talking. They don’t seem to notice me at first, so I just stand there.
“We need to negotiate decent territories with the Sorvinos, or this would have been for nothing,” Leonid insists. “I’m more than capable of choosing what is best for our family.”
“Contracts will be drawn up, and Evgeni’s father will look at them and confirm they’re the best possible thing for us,” Ivan says. He finally notices me and frowns. “What?”
“I can help,” I say suddenly, unsure where that came from. “I am a lawyer, top of my class. I could review the contracts and make notes before your uncle looks over them. He can have the final say. It would give me something to do.” I’m rather proud of my explanation, but I still wait with bated breath.
“That’s ridiculous. You would side in favor of your family,” Leonid snarls. “You have no loyalty to us. Ivan, tell her.”
Ivan’s eyes meet my own, and I try to keep my face neutral. He’s hesitating, which is a good sign, but I don’t want to seem overeager.
“Okay,” he says at long last.
“What?” Leonid roars.
Ivan turns and grabs Leonid’s throat in his hand, giving me a fright. He glares at him. “Remember who you are speaking to.” He doesn’t look at me, but he addresses me. “This is an opportunity to prove that you are loyal to your new family. Don’t screw us over, or you will regret it. The Volkovs are your family now. You must do what is in our best interests.”
I nod and turn to leave, but he speaks again, still holding Leonid’s face in his hands, his eyes glaring at his second-in-command. “Also, you need to go get dressed. There are a few events that we are going to soon, and I need you properly dressed. You are going to go shopping now for appropriate clothes.”
“Will you be coming with me to approve?” I ask curiously. It could be an opportunity to source more information.
Ivan snorts and finally releases Leonid who struggles getting back for air. “Not my area of expertise. My mother, Arina, will meet you there and help you pick out what you need. She’s familiar with what I like and the kinds of events that I attend.” He walks off, and I shiver slightly when I see Leonid looking at me as though he’d like to murder me.
I try to ignore him and get changed before I meet Aleks at the elevator to be escorted to the stores. I’m nervous about meeting Arina. She was at the wedding, but we didn’t say a word to each other. She’s a rather severe-looking woman who scared the shit out of me.
The car ride there is in absolute silence. I’m almost tempted to ask the driver to put the radio on, but it’ll probably be a Russian radio station or something. We arrive on Fifth Avenue, and I know we’re going boutique shopping. My family loves shopping on Fifth Avenue, and while I’ve found decent work clothes here, I’ve never branched out into formal wear for events.
Aleks escorts me into the store and leads me to the woman I recognize as Arina.
“Moy rebenok,” she says and gives me a warm smile, easing my nerves. I must look confused because she chuckles and explains, “It means, my child because that is what you are now. Ivan explained that you need some formal wear for some of the events he is attending. I hope you don’t mind if I help. I couldn’t resist getting to know my daughter. Ivan’s first wife was like a daughter to me for the longest time, and I miss having a woman to do things with.”
Although I am hesitant, I feel a slight warmth in my heart and quickly say, “Of course, I am looking forward to getting to know you as well.”
“Ivan told me your size, and I have selected a few modest but beautiful dresses with accessories for you to try, but if you don’t like them, you must say so because I want you to be comfortable. Nothing worse than attending these snotty events and feeling uncomfortable the entire evening.” “What kind of events would we attend?” I ask.
“Premiers, theater, formal charity balls,” she explains, leading me to the dressing room. “Ivan donates a lot to charity. He’s a good child.”
I hesitate, and she laughs. “I know what man my son is, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t good in him.”
I feel so awkward, I hate social situations so I quickly nod. “Sorry, I meant no offense.”
“It was my husband’s wish for Ivan to take over the family,” she says as she pulls back the curtain and closes it behind us. “Not mine. I wanted him to be a big-shot accountant or investor.”
I smile because that is such a typical mother thing to want, and mothers are not typical in families like ours. She points to the pile of clothes she’s had laid out for me. “If they are uncomfortable, please don’t hesitate to say so. There’s nothing worse than going out for hours in something you’re not comfortable in.” She repeats.
“Thank you, you’re so kind,” I say, and I mean it. I like her a lot. If there’s going to be anyone in this family I like, it will be her.
We start to try on the clothes, and aside from adjusting a size up and down here and there, they are very comfortable, and I have to admit they make me look exceptional in a way I’ve never seen myself. It makes me feel a bit more confident. I know I look beautiful.
The accessories are just as stunning. She’d chosen white-gold jewelry with sapphire stones which brings out my eyes. I almost sparkle.
All in all, I had a ton of fun, and I don’t even know why I was nervous, to begin with, because she is the sweetest woman I’ve ever met. For a moment, I feel a pang of guilt because I know my plan is to overturn her family. I try to push the feeling away and not think about it because I know it won’t do me any good.
When we’re done and ready to go, she pays for everything despite my protests. I blush and fumble over my words. “Ivan gave me a card.”
“A mother should be able to spoil her daughter,” Arina says kindly as she pays. “Besides, it’s probably from the same account anyway.”
I smile, and we walk out of the store. She hugs me around my packages. “You’re going to do fine. I’ll see you soon.”
“Thank you for everything,” I say genuinely. “I really appreciate what you’ve done for me.”
She pats my face with her hand and walks away with her bodyguards. Mine load my packages into the car as I climb in, relaxing back as we drive to the apartment.
Without any warning, a car suddenly hits ours from the side, tboning us. Our tires squeal as the driver tries to maintain control. There are suddenly bullets flying through the air and they shatter the window next to me. The guard yells at me to get down and I listen. There is fire from both sides and I keep my hands over my ears and wait for it to be over, annoyed at feeling so useless, but also scared the other side would win and kill me. When the bullets stop firing, I feel the car moving again, fast, and I glance up shakily, “Is it over?”
“For now,” the guard comments, “They were clearly out for blood, though. We must report this to Pakhan.”
When we arrive at the apartment I take my parcels upstairs, and the guard stands at the door, staying there while I walk in. I glance around, but I don’t see Ivan anywhere. I feel shaky though and just want to wash the glass out of my hair. I see his brother is there, Leonid, and as he looks at me, I see a raged-fueled hate that makes me deeply uneasy.
“Wasting money on shit already?” he sneers, walking toward me. He grabs a dress from one of the bags, holds it up, and then tosses it at me. I put my packages down and put the dress back.
“Ivan arranged it,” I say quietly, unsure how safe I am, “We were attacked.”
Leonid steps toward me, and I back right into a corner. He takes my chin into his hand and presses it with much pressure, so I am forced to look at him. “I know you’re going to fuck over my family. I don’t trust you to handle anything for us. Your family probably arranged that attack to make you seem innocent.”
“Ivan trusts me.” I try to sound steady, but my voice trembles. The door opens, and Evgeni, Ivan’s cousin, walks in. Leonid quickly backs off from me. I don’t waste a moment as I grab my packages and flee to the bedroom, shutting the door behind me.