“There.” He stands up and brushes off his pants. “Better?”
I take a few steps and feel the difference immediately. “Yeah, okay, you were right.”
“Who would’ve guessed.” He circles me slowly, adjusting the dress here and smoothing the fabric there, unable to stop touching me. Then he disappears into the closet again and comes back with a slim gold bracelet. “Give me your wrist.”
I hold it out, and he clasps it on, the metal sitting delicately against my skin and catching the light when I move. “Is this a tracker?”
His smile is absolutely shameless. “Would I do something like that?”
“Yes.”
“Then you already know the answer.” He kisses my knuckles. “Viktor will drive you, and two men will follow in another car, but they’ll stay out of sight.”
“I know the drill.”
“Good.” He tilts my chin up and studies my face. “Oh, andVedma? Don’t make any plans for tomorrow afternoon.”
“Why?”
“The wedding planner is coming.”
I blink. “What wedding planner?”
“Our wedding planner. The wedding is next week, and we need to finalize everything.”
“Next week? Alexei, that’s…”
“Perfect timing.” He smooths down my hair, completely unbothered by my panic. “Most of it is already handled, so you just need to pick flowers, music, and whether you want champagne or vodka.”
“A few things? For a wedding in a week?”
“Don’t worry,Vedma.” He kisses my forehead. “Now go. Have fun. Show off. Make your friends jealous.” He seems to remember something as his head jerks towards his watch, a frown settling on his face. “Shit, I need to get to a meeting with my men.”
He leans in and brushes a kiss against my forehead, his thumb lingering on my jaw for a split second. “Be good. Don’t stray far from where my security can find you.”
“Alright, sure,” I murmur, though we both know I’m not exactly great at following orders.
He vanishes into the hallway, and I’m left alone with my reflection. I grab my Bottega Veneta and head for the drive, where Viktor is standing like a statue next to the car. His eyes flick over my outfit for a heartbeat, his expression unreadable.
“Is there something on my face, Viktor?”
“No, ma’am. You’re as gorgeous as ever.”
I slide into the backseat, and he closes the door. We pull away from the house, another black SUV falling into a perfect, silent formation behind us. The drive through Moscow traffic takes twenty minutes, and I spend the time staring at the grey Moscow skyline, my mind racing. A wedding in a single week feels like a fever dream, but Alexei isn't the type to wait for anything he’s already decided is his.
We pull up outside the restaurant, and I step out into the biting Moscow cold. A doorman rushes over before my heels even hit the pavement. “Good afternoon, madam. May I take your coat?”
“Yes, thank you.”
The cold vanishes as soon as I cross the threshold. I hand over my Burberry and face the hostess, who is already evaluating my jewelry with a keen eye.
“Good afternoon. Do you have a reservation?”
“I’m here for Yelena’s party. In the private room.”
“Of course! Right this way, please.”
Chapter 19