4 - Her Brother-in-law?

ADELINA'S POV

I was completely blown out of my mind when I heard him. Mikhail Romanov was a mystery to me. A seasoned businessman who suddenly popped out of nowhere and stormed the entire business world.

There was very little about him online but there were rumours of how ruthless he was when taking out his competition and how much underground connection he has.

When I said I was ready to do anything in my mind, the most degrading thing that crossed my mind was to be his servant at his mercy, but it never crossed my mind he would tell me to strip in a public event.

I bit my lower lip in between my teeth, not only because of how nervous I felt in his presence but also thanks to the Bullet wound in my arm.

"You must be joking, that can't be a request." I blurted. Thinking he would laugh out, saying it was a joke, but he didn't budge one bit. He stood tall with his hand in his pocket and his eyes keenly observing me.

His lips parted, and my heartbeat dropped at his next statement. "Do I look like I am joking?" He arched his brow at me.

"Big words and I thought you were ready to do whatever it takes." He scoffed at me then his eyes trailed away. My hands clenched until my fist turned white instigated by his words.

"The request is absurd. I can't strip in public." I gritted my teeth at him. He didn't seem bothered by my reasoning; without a doubt, we were the centre of attention. A bloody bride and the biggest business tycoon. My veil was still attached to my hair.

"It is a simple request or will you prefer if I say kill someone here." He suggested then beckoned on someone I think was part of his security.

The tall guy approached us and pulled out a slick pistol. I stared at the gun, stunned at the nerves he had to request I murder in the open air.

"You have two options: either you strip, or you use this gun and shoot that lady in the head." He pointed out a particular lady I recognized to be a social elite.

"If you can't choose either then get the hell out my way." His eyes darkened, annoyed by my presence.

He was, as they said, a devil. How could he ask me to strip in a public place? I was out of options. It was either I lost my pride as a woman, or I got convicted of murder.

He was not scared of openly saying things like this because he was so rich that even the government didn't have a hold on him; instead, it was the other way around.

"Fine, I will do it." I barely whispered but I think he heard me. My throat went dry and I nervously gulped down. His eyes didn't leave me even for a second.

I slowly reached for the threads at the back of my dress because it was a corset dress fastened with thread. I slowly loosened the knot and started to undo the lace.

Viktor might be a devil but Mikhail was a sadist. He had an evil grin amused at my actions. I started to doubt if approaching him was the right choice.

It was not too late to turn back, Viktor was probably raking through the streets looking for me now. I knew the type of person he was; Viktor was never going to leave a single member of the Marino family to roam free.

A potential threat that could come after him. What did I do to be in this situation? All I wanted was to get married to the man I loved.

After I was done with the thread, my eyes locked with Mikhail's eyes. His Adam's apple gobbled. My hands reached out for the shoulder of the dress to pull it down. My eyes pressed together as this would be the most embarrassing and degrading moment of my life.

The doors burst open, and everyone's eyes were drawn to the entrance, saving me at the nick of time. A bunch of men dressed in black tailored suits trailed in and then he walked in. I could recognize that raven black hair and blue eyes anywhere.

It was not hard for Viktor's eyes to find me since I stood out in the room in my bloody wedding dress. Viktor's eyes darkened when he spotted Mikhail, and for a slight moment, Mikhail's expression changed with a fleeting emotion running through his eyes.

It happened so fast that it seemed like I was seeing things. Viktor looked away from him, and an evil lopsided grin graced his face that scared the shit out of me.

Every step Viktor took towards me seemed like death was walking towards me. My entire body trembled. "It seems your husband is here to take you on your honeymoon." Mikhail nonchalantly chimed.

Everyone in the room knew Viktor. He was the king of the underworld and was equally shaken except for one person who seemed amused by Viktor's entrance.

"Honeymoon my ass, he was to take my neck to the guillotine." I sneered, which was not too far-fetched; chopping my head off was not a hassle for Viktor to do, he would probably be grinning while watching.

Viktor stopped a few steps away with his eyes locked on us. "Calista, why did you run away from the wedding and end up ruining your dress? We are yet to attend our reception." He chimed with a tender gaze acting oblivious to the fact he just unalived my entire family.

"I am not going anywhere with you, Viktor," I said through my gritted teeth, backing away from Viktor. Viktor still maintained his facade, putting on a hurt gaze. "What do you mean by that? If anything is the problem we can sort it out together." He said, still maintaining his tender gaze, walking towards me.

"The only way we can sort out differences is if you kill yourself." I spat back at him, still backing away. Viktor got enraged with his facade falling apart. He briskly stormed forward.

"You know it is rude to storm into someone's party without sparing a minute to greet them. Our parents taught you better dear little brother." Mikhail whispered just loud enough for the three of us to hear. He blocked Viktor from moving forward with his arm.

Viktor's face turned ugly with his sharp gaze glaring at Mikhail. It was at that moment I realized something that was right in front of me the whole time; they both had the same raven-black hair and deep blue eyes. They could pass out to biological siblings.

"I am here for my runaway wife's brother. Sorry for rudely interrupting your party." Viktor said with a forced smile.

What the hell was happening? Was it possible they were brothers? One ruled the underground world while the other controlled the business world.