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Sixteen.
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Arranged To The Bravta King Seventeen.
Maria"I don't know any more than what you do." The words catch in my throat, and suddenly I wonder if I've said too much."Is that so?" Alexander asks, a hint of skepticism in his posh tone. "Your father was a very important man. He never told you anything? Not even about his old friends?""My father works with computers," I insist, my voice wavering despite my best efforts. "And he never talked about friends."The men exchange glances, clearly not convinced by my answer."He works with computers, yet you don't have a phone?" Ippolit asks softly. "No social media presence for a young lady like yourself. Why?"I shift uncomfortably in my seat, keenly aware of their scrutinizing gazes. "My father doesn't trust it," I say, trying to sound confident but feeling anything but. "He thought it wouldn't be safe for me.""Safe?" Ippolit presses, narrowing his eyes. "Did he ever tell you why he was so concerned about your safety?"My hands tremble, and I pull the pillow closer to me to hide my
Arranged To The Bravta King Eighteen.
Mikhail"Thank you, Dominika."She nods toward me before leaving the room. But her stony gaze stays on the three brigadiers.I look toward the spiral staircase; then I hear a door click shut. Maria is back in her room. Good, it's safer that we have the rest of this conversation in private. Without a word, I walk toward my office, and the brigadiers follow.The room is less of an office and more of a lounge. A small chrome bar with select vintages, several low sofas and side tables in chocolate and beige, and a space for art. Many of my treasured pieces are here for me to view alone. Works by Picasso and Pollock not seen in public since the day they were created. I resent having the brigadiers invade my private abode, but it's obvious that Maria likes to listen.And there are things she cannot be allowed to hear."There is no doubt, Mikhail Ivanov," Ippolit speaks, calm and calculating, before I can. "She is Budanov's daughter.""How can you be certain?" I ask him as I get a grip on my
Arranged To The Bravta King Nineteen.
MikhailMaria and I sit across from one another in the dining room, surrounded by glass and mirrored walls as dinner is served.Every item of furniture in this room is translucent or made of glass. The sensation of being suspended in nothingness makes me feel alive. Others find it agoraphobic, but I like feeling untethered among the universe, as dramatic as it may sound. It gives me a sense of freedom away from my responsibilities. She doesn't seem to notice the room except every once in a while. She looks up at the window.I glance at Maria, dressed in one of the household staff's dresses. Somehow, it suits her—almost like a goddess has fallen to Earth and taken on the guise of a mortal. She seems unconcerned with her surroundings as she cuts into her chicken to take a bite. I sip my wine as I watch her, but she refuses to look at me.To be fair, she has other things to worry about.Tension makes me want to control it, and by extension, her. She glances at me and then back at her pla
Arranged To The Bravta King Twenty.
MariaASSHOLE!I don't say it, but I think it.The low light from the chandelier dances across Mikhail's face, casting shadows that make him look even more sinister with that cold green gaze going through me. Despite my fear, I force myself to meet his gaze, trying to convey the hatred boiling over in me.His eyes bore into mine, and I can see the sincerity there. He's not lying when he says that he's doing this to protect me. And if my encounter with his three men—what did he call them, brigadiers?—is any indication, then my best hope truly lies with him.But it still doesn't help that his promise of protection is only extended to me."I'll play my part in public," I tell him. "But behind closed doors, I want nothing to do with you. Don't expect me to be your dutiful wife.""Fair enough," Mikhail concedes, heading back to his chair across the table. "But remember, Maria. The world can be a cruel place, and sometimes we need allies more than we need our independence."Is this the trad
Arranged To The Bravta King Twenty-One.
Mikhail.I trudge into the living room, bleary-eyed from a restless night. My sister Larissa is already here, standing in front of a window, looking out. She’s not interested in art, but she pretends to humor me as she’s always done since I was a little boy. Upon hearing my footsteps behind her, she glides toward me, smiling her sad smile, and fixes my collar and tie. She smooths my hair with a maternal flourish, reminding me she comes before me in the birth order.“My dear Kolya.” She sits on the edge of the couch with her chin held high. “A pakhan in name, but still the little boy whose hair I used to muss.”I can feel the weight of everything she doesn’t say. Sighing, I remain on my feet and wonder how much Rurik has told her.“You’re here early,” I say. “What’s on your mind?”“What else?” She spreads her hands like Rurik. And I wonder who was the first to use the gesture in their marriage. “Them.”Nothing else needs to be said. Since we were children, we have only ever referred to
Arranged To The Bravta King Twenty-Two.
MariaSleep 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 shit 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 sc
Arranged To The Bravta King Twenty-Three.
Maria.As the morning progresses, Larissa and I chat over nothing and everything. There are moments I forget I'm being forced to stay here and marry her brother. If Larissa knows my situation, she certainly doesn't show it. Instead, she shares stories of her time traveling through Europe, and I can't help but envy her experiences."Your father never allows you to travel?" she asks, raising an eyebrow."No," I admit, looking away. "He's been very protective of me since my mother died.""I'm so sorry." She places a hand on my knee. "When did your mother pass?""After I was born.""I understand what that's like." Larissa covers her expression quickly and gently takes her hand away to dab at the corner of her eyes. "Our father wasn't exactly the easiest man to live with either, especially after our mother died.""Did you ever feel trapped?" I ask, probing for information and simultaneously hinting a little at what's going on with myself. "Or suffocated?""Always." She gazes out the window
Arranged To The Bravta King Twenty-Four.
MikhailThe gallery opening is filled with invited guests in formal evening attire. Venomous words are exchanged behind masks of pleasantries, and all of it is buoyed by the copious amounts of champagne in their glasses. Gossip and rumor take flight in light whispers and raucous laughter, all while hands hide lips dripping with scandalous secrets. Wait-staff weaves through the crowd, carrying delicacies on silver platters, offering them to anyone who catches their eye... and remembering any worthwhile rumor to be passed back to me later.I hold a crystal flute up to my lips and take a sip, the bubbles tingling on my tongue. My chest swells with pride as I accept one congratulation after another on my newest gallery—the Vedere.Tonight, the room subtly sparkles and glimmers with muted golden lamps illuminating the art pieces around the space. As I move through the space, I engage in small talk here and there, commenting on the artwork with my guests.These people don't know me as a cr
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