5: Like a good little girl

**Evelyn**

As a child, mother always told me that the week before I got married, I had to take note of everything. I had to ensure there was no threat around and that nobody, not even I, uttered a single bad thing that would jeopardize my wedding. Mother believed in bad omens and all sorts of superstitions and to an extent, I believed in them too. Especially now, when I'd been getting notes with thinly veiled threats like gifts. Was this some sort of game? Who the fuck was playing it?

Since the night of my engagement party, I couldn't forget the mysterious man I saw. Everything points back to him as the one who'd been leaving notes but why? Where does he know me from? An enemy perhaps? I sighed as the makeup artist applies blush on my cheeks.

“I like your skin tone so much. I swear it goes so well with the blush. And your cheekbones, higher than mountains I swear," the makeup artist gushed as she decorated my face. I had a light brown skin tone courtesy of my Caribbean mother. I cracked a smile at that. I'd gotten more from my mother than my dad.

“You look so pretty when you smile," the makeup artist, complimented, finishing the last touches of makeup on my skin. I'd opted to leave my hair the way it was and decided against wearing a veil. That'd be doing too much.

The makeup artist packed up her things and then left the room. I heard her conversing with someone outside the door before it opened and Sasha stepped in.

“Are you ready?"

“I think I am," I muttered, eyeing a jewelry box on my dresser. Mom had given it to me saying I should wear it at my wedding. But I this was not a wedding for something as special as mom's jewelry. I ignore the fact that after Maxim, I would probably never consider marriage again but that's fine. Sighing, I push myself off the chair and graby bouquet. White roses. I'd only noticed it now. I paused. I hadn't been the one to pick them out. I'd asked Sasha to do it for me but how would she know. I shook my head and smiled at her.

“Let's go." Linking my arm in hers, we walked out of the room. I had insisted Sasha be my maid of honor and she agreed. Stopping in front of the door that would lead us to the Church marriage hall, I wait for the announcement.

The double doors open with a loud creak and bright light spills through it and onto me. I suddenly feel the stares of the audience on me as Sasha and I walk out. Father is there waiting for me and he grabs my hand in his, leading me to Maxim. No words are exchanged between us as he hands me over to Maxim. Maxim grabs my head a little too tightly and the sadistic glint in his eyes promise more than a little rough handling. I shiver but I can do this.

“I will be delighted to unwrap my gift beneath this dress tonight," he muttered in my ear.

“In your dreams, idiot," I retorted, lifting my chin. Maxim smirks as the Priest begins to talk. Very soon, it is time for the recitation of vows. I recite a classic vow while Maxim adds a little more heart to his.

"Now that the vows are out of the way, do you, Maxim Orlov, agree to take Evelyn Karamazov as your lawfully wedded wife to love in sickness and health, wealth and poverty, trials and tribulations?” The priest asked, turning to Maxim.

"I do.”

"Do you, Evelyn Karamazov, agree to take Maxim Orlov as your lawfully wedded husband to love in sickness and in health, in poverty and wealth, trials and tribulations?”

I looked around the hall. My heart suddenly began beating faster than ever. My eyes collided with that of Dad and The Family and I could very well hear what they would say.

Know what is at stake.

Squeezing my eyes shut and saying a silent prayer, I answered, "I do.”

"Is there anyone here with an objection to this union?” It is then the entrance doors fly open and he comes in. More than a dozen men come in, guns held high and fixed on each guest. I'd only caught a glimpse of him that day but I recognized him. This was the same man from the engagement party.

"What's he doing here?”

"Killian Bandini?”

The whispers travelled round. What was Killian Bandini doing at my wedding? There was bad blood between my family and his so what the fuck was he doing here. Killian sauntered towards the altar and immediately he came close enough to a stunned Maxim and I, he looked me dead in the eye, lifted his gun, and pulled the trigger. A series of screams went up as blood poured out from the hole in Maxim's head. I stood shocked as I watched the scene.

“That was easy," Killian's deep voice drifted into my ears, snapping me from my shock. I pulled out my gun and pointed at him.

“I will shoot—" I began to say when a leg kicked my hand and my gun went flying. Turning around, I asked incredulously, “Sasha?"

“I thought you'd be smarter. Now," Killian tsked then nods his head at Sasha. She walks over to my father and points her gun to his head.

“I want you to marry me and you will do it," Killian ordered. I shook my head and gripped the sides of my dreams.

“Over my dead body."

“Well then, Karamazov? You're smarter. Make the decision. Your life or your daughter's hand?" Killian asked. Father shook his head frantically.

“Spare me. Take her!"

“Yes." The Family echoed. I looked at my father as the curtain over my eyes raised. He really chose his life over mine. Killian turned to look at me smirking.

“Did you hear that, Eve? Daddy would rather sacrifice you for his sins," He mocked. His eyes slowly lost all humor and his face darkened. “Now listen, you're going to marry me, I don't care how. When the Priest asks, you say ‘I do' like a good little girl. Understood?” Turning to the priest, he rises a brow and cocks his gun.

"Do you, Killian Bandini, agree to take Evelyn Karamazov as your lawfully wedded wife to love in sickness and in health, in poverty and wealth, trials and tribulations?”

“I do."

“Do you, Evelyn Karamazov, agree to take Killian Bandini as your lawfully wedded husband to love in sickness and in health, in poverty and wealth, trials and tribulations?”

My mind is still in a daze. He's the one who's been dropping letters. How did I not recognize him that day? And Sasha? I thought she was my friend! I could've stopped this. I should've inspected more. It was all coming together now. I—a shot goes off and I raised my head up stunned. One of the guests was slumping on the floor as blood oozed out of the middle of his head.

“For every second you keep quiet, someone will die. Trust me, I am not afraid of getting blood on my hands." Another shot. Five more go off as my eyes fill with tears. No! I can't cry. I'm a leader. A queen and if I must sacrifice for my Bratva—my position as Pakhan—i will.

“I do."

“I pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride!" Before I have a chance to react, Killian drags me to him and presses his lips on mine. For such a ruthless man, he has soft lips. I stand still, my hands falling limply at my sides. Killian pulled away and grinned.

“Good girl." He looked down at my hands and grabbed my the bouquet. Walking over to Maxim, he rolls the bouquet of white roses on Maxim's blood, making some parts red. Just like the flower at mother's grave.

Handing it to me, he said, "Welcome, Eve. This is more befitting. Now let's go.”

Something dark brewed in my chest as he dragged me out. I locked eyes with father and sadness immediately enveloped me. Zhizn moya. My life. That was what father called me. But now, now I realize father would pick himself over his so called life.