Arranged By The Bravta King

22

Maria

Sleep and I are in a long-distance relationship. I stagger into the ensuite, exhausted, and look at the dark circles under my eyes. I don't have any concealer, so I splash my face with cold water until it hurts like razors. I don't want Mikhail to think he's getting to me.

I can deal with what he said, but what Dominika said? That scares the s**t out of me. It's enough that I know I won't try running again. A part of me wants to imagine that she's just doing what she's supposed to do to keep me here. But if my meeting with those three brigadiers is any indication, there's a kernel of truth to her words.

And that's more than enough.

So, I'll have to be patient and wait for my chance. A good chance, completely foolproof, one that I can't possibly mess up.

I slowly walk down the spiral steps in search of coffee.

I enter the living room, where a statuesque woman sits beside Mikhail. Her dark hair and eyes are mesmerizing, and the dress he has on is amazing—its sheer silk material screams summer. But her dress isn't what draws my eye.

It's the fact that she's holding his hand.

Unexpected jealousy rushes to my face and I feel anger welling up inside me. His ring is heavy on my finger, fresh from the forced proposal. Yet here he is already, holding hands with another woman.

And there is something in his eyes when he looks at her, something that I've never seen whenever he looks at me. He's looking at her like he cares. Suddenly, I feel like I'm intruding into something I'm not supposed to.

That woman certainly looks like his type—she looks like she belongs in this museum gallery of a home.

And try as I might, I cannot help feeling the tears stinging my nose. Even without trying, he manages to humiliate me. To hurt me.

I turn to hurry back upstairs in my stupid borrowed dress and Orphan Annie hair, not wishing to subject myself any further to his games.

But I slip on the step and let out a cry of surprise.

Mikhail turns when he hears me and a smile curls on his lips toward me. If he thinks that I'm supposed to be reassured by it, he's mistaken. That lopsided smile has me seething with rage. f**k you! f**k you! f**k you! My eyes dart between him and that woman. Back and forth. Back and forth. And I wonder who she is.

"Maria," he speaks, his voice filled with strange pride. "Come and meet my sister, Larissa."

Sister?

I blink stupidly as the word registers in my mind. Somehow, I can't imagine Mikhail having a family. As far as I'm concerned, he might as well have emerged fully formed, like one of those gargoyles on the roof and not from a mother.

I walk down the steps cautiously toward them, wondering if Larissa is kind or if she's just another tormentor in an ever-growing list.

"Nice to meet you, Maria," Larissa says warmly, extending her hand. Her grip is firm, but her eyes are kind. And though I want to keep my guard up, I feel that I can be at ease around her.

"Nice to meet you too." I smile, trying to conceal my nervousness.

"What have you been doing to the poor girl? She looks tired and frightened!" She glares at Mikhail upon seeing me up close before turning back to me again, voice pealing like bells. "Your ring, please."

Obedient, I extend her my finger. She coos and awes over my hand and then smothers me in a full-body hug. I didn't realize how much I craved the closeness as I hang on for a second too long. The contact reminds me of how much I miss Mercy.

And how much I miss Dad.

"Breakfast." Her firm hands remain on my shoulders. "Kolya has a Paris-trained chef, as I'm sure you know. I will not deny that man the opportunity to demonstrate his skills whenever I'm here."

"Where's Rurik?" Mikhail asks her abruptly.

"You tell me." She scowls at him playfully. "You're the one working him to the bone."

Rurik? That other man who hangs around Mikhail like his shadow? Quickly, I steal a glance at Larissa's finger and notice a large ring. My breath catches. Is she ...

Mikhail frowns. "I'll go see where he is."

"Don't forget, Kolya. I'll be at the gallery at six to help."

"Gallery?" My gaze bounces between them. "You mean Chrysanthea?"

"Not Chrysanthea. Kolya is opening a new one tomorrow night." Larissa looks pointedly at her brother. "Have you told her nothing about yourself? Where are your manners?"

His face is blank. "I'll see you tonight, Lara." Mikhail stalks over to the elevator and, using his key, disappears into the outside world that I'm banned from.

Asshole!