“We don’t speak about past, Miss Joy. Gets us in trouble.”
Right. Of course. I forget Valerian pays her to keep silent.
I lift my chin as she does my makeup. But there’s a weird feeling in my gut.
And it doesn’t go away when I enter the lobby—the room where the party’s being hosted.
I hold onto the banister, taking my time with each step. The marble walls amplify the sounds of the party. The clinking glasses. The laughter. Valerian even hired a string quartet. Legato melodies ring through the high ceilings.
There’s so much empty space in Valerian’s estate. Now I know why—he likes to hold extravagant parties. And those require a lot of space.
Tonight, all of that space is filled with people I’ve never seen in my life.
My skin flushes. I can feel a pair of eyes scolding me. Looking up, I see him. His eyes cut across the room to me.
“You are a vision,printsessa,”he says when I finish walking down the stairs.
“I wanted to wear black.”
“You work in fashion. You of all people should know it’s a boring color.”
Technically, black isn’t a color. But whatever.
“You’re wearing black,” I point out. “Why can’t I?”
“Because I don’t want you blending in.” His eyes darken. “I need to keep an eye on you.”
Fuck. He’s got me figured. He thinks I’m gonna make a move tonight and try to escape.
I am. But there’s better ways to do that than running away.
“If you’re worried about me escaping, you can rest assured. I can’t even walk in this dress.” I tug at the unforgiving fabric. “Let alone run.”
Valerian nods, moving onto another topic. “Feel free to enjoy yourself. There are lots of food options. The caterers have outdone themselves once again.”
Where’s he going with this?
“Try the champagne, too. It’s vintage, from the seventies. But don’t drink too much. You don’t want to upset your stomach.” His features darken. “And you don’t want to upset me. If I find out you’ve been talking to anyone about our little arrangement?—”
“Let me take a guess—you’ll strangle me to death?” I hitch my eyebrow up at him. “What about the ring on my finger? Doesanyonehere know you’re married?”
“My Bratva do. But my real estate employees don’t.” Valerian corners me more into the staircase. Once again, his frame is swallowing me whole. “If they ask about the wedding ring, you say you’re married to someone else.”
“And what about your…?” I look down at his finger.
There’s no ring on it. He took it off.
I look down at his finger pointedly. “Well, I guess I’m off the hook if there’s no ring on your finger.” I go to shove past him.
Valerian pins me back into the banister. “I removed it, so they don’t ask questions.”
“You don’t like it when people ask you questions, do you?” I fold my arms over my chest. “It’s strange. Galina doesn’t like it either.”
Valerian clenches his jaw.
“What’s the deal with her and the butler? Are they sworn to secrecy? Did you make them sign an NDA?”
“That,” says Valerian, sticking his face in mine with gritted teeth, “is none of your concern. You should be grateful I’m letting you come out of your room and be here tonight. It’s an honor.”