42

42
“D-Dmitri? What’s going on?”

The words tumbled from Lily’s lips before she could stop them. Her eyes locked onto his, searching for something, anything, that resembled the man she thought she knew.

But what stared back at her wasn’t the Dmitri she remembered. This one had no trace of warmth nor tenderness.

“My, my,” Christian drawled smoothly, but now the British charm she was over heels for felt like broken glass. “Right on cue.”

“You’ve all heard the rumors. Wars brewing in the North. Blood spilling in the South. Enemies circling, waiting for cracks in the empire. But tonight—” his eyes slid to Dmitri, “—tonight you witness something else. Unity.”

His gaze fell back on her.

“Both myself and Mr. Kalanshivo,” Christian continued, his tone tightening with authority, “will be joining forces in this territory. Born and bled for this city, we’ve decided to put aside our… differences. Together, our power is absolute. And you happen to be part of the bargain.”

Lily’s stomach dropped.

“Dmitri…” Her voice cracked. “Tell them this isn’t true. Tell them I’m not—”

“Not what?” Christian cut her off. “Not my mistress? But everyone here seems convinced. And look…” He tilted his head toward Dmitri, who had yet to speak, yet to deny. “Even your husband hasn’t objected.”

Her stomach twisted. Why isn’t he saying anything? Her face burned hot with shame. Heart slamming against her ribs, desperate for a denial or at least to just step forward and drag her out of this nightmare.

But by the look on his face that wasn’t happening. He was completely still, looking at her like she meant nothing.

Lily’s heart broke at the sight.

Say something. Defend me. Don’t just stand there.She screamed inside.

Her chest tightened until it hurt. Tears threatened at the corner of her eyes, but she refused to let them fall here, she wasn’t about to give them that satisfaction.

Christian leaned down. “See? Even he won’t save you. Because he doesn’t want to.”

“No…” she breathed, shaking her head. “You’re lying. You’re twisting this.”

“Am I? Dmitri Kalanshivo has no need for her anymore. His throne is secure. His crown is untouchable. What use does a Don have for a discarded girl?”

Her knees nearly gave out beneath her but Christian’s hand then slid holding her wrist just hard enough to make her wince but not hurt her.

His smirk widened as though her pain pleased him.

“Since this is a night of unity,” he declared, his voice carrying through the hall, “let us mark it with tradition. A toast. To brotherhood, to strength… and to new beginnings.”

The crowd stirred in recognition. Glasses were raised, some already filled, the ritual all too familiar to them.

“Come now, Lily. Don’t be shy. You’ll lead the toast.”

Her chest seized. “What?”

The crowd quieted again, all eyes burning into her.

He leaned close enough for his whisper to brush hot against her skin. “Play your part, darling. Or your cousin’s throat gets slit before your pretty eyes.”

Her gaze shot toward the corridor where Gio had been led. She imagined his terrified face. Her heart lurched. She could not let anything happen to her.

Her throat dry, she whispered to herself, No. I’ll never…

Christian’s sharp whisper cut her off. “I said, play your part.” His blue eyes glittered dangerously. “Or you’ll learn exactly what it means to defy me.”

She swore under her breath. “Don’t you dare lay your hands on her.”

Christian however was amused at her fire. “Ah. The spirit I adore. But alas… rules are rules.”

He snapped his fingers. “Antonio!” A tall, broad man in black stepped forward immediately, eyes flicking between Lily and Christian. “Tell Sebastian to bring the girl in. Now.”

Lily froze. Her blood ran cold.

“You can’t,” her voice died down.

“Your choice, Lily. Do it, or your cousin pays the price.”

That was all the warning she needed. Her lips quivered as she tried to speak but no sound came out. Even her breathing felt heavy and instinctively her gaze flicked toward Dmitri.

His gaze met hers hard and for the first time that night he spoke.

“Do as you are told or you can forget about Gio.”

Dmitri had never sounded so cold, at least not to her. No since they met it married.

Her heart cracked. She had no choice.

“Alright… I’ll do it.”

Christian pressed a glass into her trembling hand, lifting his own high.

“Repeat after me,”

Her throat felt raw, but when he nodded once, warning flashing in his eyes, she forced the words out, her voice shaking.

“To loyalty…”

The crowd echoed in unison. “To loyalty!”

Her hands quivered so badly she thought the glass might slip.

“To strength…” she managed, the shame searing into her bones.

The crowd again: “To strength!”

Christian’s grin widened as he raised his glass higher, towering over her.

“And to unity,” he finished for her.

“For what was once divided, is now bound together. As witnessed tonight by the gift of Mrs. Kalanshivo, who now belongs to me.”

A roar of voices and gunfire exploded as the mafia raised their glasses, some firing shots into the air in approval.

She wanted to scream and pull herself away from his hold, but the thought of Gio, of Sebastian dragging her cousin back here with a knife to her throat kept her
rooted.

“Perfect. Now smile, mistress. You belong to me, courtesy of your dear husband.”