I raise a brow. My father has denied three past marriage proposals. For such a long time I thought I’d be trapped here for the rest of my life. Hell, I thought about becoming a nun just to give my life purpose. “May I ask who it is.”
“Of course. Your fiancé is Valentin Volkolv, heir to the Russian Bratva.” I’ve heard of this man and his family. They’re some of the most feared men on the planet. Rumor has it their hearts are just as cold as Russian winters, or lack of hearts I should say.
My father is sending me off to marry the ice king. This isn’t exactly what I was expecting.
Chapter One
Your willingness to look at your darkness what force you to change
~Unknown
Present Day
Sofia
Today is the day where life as I know it will change. Whether it’ll be for the better or worse I don’t have any idea. Valentin and his father Fredrik are traveling from Moscow to Cancun. I’m supposed to be meeting them both with my father at a restaurant on the water. For a first meeting it’s typical for families like ours to see one another in a public setting. Throughout my life I’ve always been taught to never trust anyone else until they’re family. The same will go for my betrothed and his father. Until we are in a church with rings on our fingers and have made an oath to not only ourselves, but God I won’t put faith in him. He could turn his back on me within a moment's notice.
I make my way out of my bedroom in my magenta pink sundress. It comes together like a wrap and ties at my hip. The bottom of the dress falls just below my knees in a layered style while my bosom shows off a bit, although not in a way that would suggest I’m a puta. I’ve made sure I look exceptionally well today, styling my hair with a slight curl and brushing it out to give me a natural, voluminous wave. I’ve also kept my makeup plain and simple but add a bit of eyeliner to the top of my lid and keep my lips in a soft pink color that looks natural.
Heading down the stairwell I start to turn to the left but see Alejandro motion for me to follow him. He isn’t saying a word, but I know my brother well enough to do what he’s asking of me. “What’s the matter?” I ask in a hushed whisper as we turn the corner and head into a small hallway on the other side of the kitchen. Luckily, there are no openings in this hallway so it allows us to speak privately. There’s only one doorway back here and it leads to an additional bedroom suite that we use for important guests.
Alejandro’s usual jovial expression turns into one which tells me what we’re about to discuss is serious. “Sof,” he starts, calling me by the nickname he gave me as a small child, “I refuse to be dishonest with you. I’m worried about this arrangement with the Volkolvs. I know details . . . about their alarming reputation.”
Narrowing my eyebrows, “Papá accepted their proposal. Surely, he wouldn’t put me in a dangerous situation. I know the rumors. Well, some of them. Always pertaining to their cold nature and cruelty in business. Although, papá has always told me ‘to be successful in this world you have to know when to use the hand to reward individuals, while with others punish them for their actions.’”
Alejandro rolls his eyes in front of me and turns to look out the floor to ceiling windows before he speaks, “Please don’t make the mistake of believing the Volkolvs are decent people. They punish people far more than they reward them, dear sister.”
If what Alejandro says is true, they’re far more dangerous than I could’ve ever anticipated. Our father wouldn’t have put me in a situation unless he knew I’d be safe. “I don’t understand what you’re saying.”
He sucks in a sharp breath and turns to me, places his hands on my shoulders and stares at me fiercely in the eyes. “You need to be careful with them, Sofia. I think they’re worse than Rafael.” Rafael is our oldest brother. He’s . . . sinister at best. We’ve never caught him doing nefarious things, however something in his eyes tells everyone around him to be careful.
If Alejandro believes they’re worse than Rafael, I’ll choose to believe him. I only need proof of their actions. However, I don’t want there to be proof. I’ve been so excited about getting engaged, being married, knowing a love story would eventually come my way. While I was terrified when my father told me who I was marrying, over the last several months I’ve come to peace with it. I’d much rather choose to be hopeful versus negative. “Would you care to elaborate?” I ask Alejandro, giving him a pleading look.
He opens his mouth for a moment and slams it shut, cursing under his breath. “Fuck, you know I can’t go into details with you.” It’s the same excuse he always gives me when he wants to warn me of something.
“You only say that because I’m a woman.” I state, knowing it’s true. If I was a man, he would’ve already told me so.
“That sassiness of yours won’t fare well over at the Volkolv home. You should get it in check before you leave, Sofia.” Alejandro’s tone has a sense of warning, but I also hear the worry in his voice as well.
“You’re not giving me an answer. Instead you’re doing what you always do. I know you mean well but shielding me from the cruel truth won’t help me if I don’t know what I’m up against.” I’ve tried being the dutiful daughter and sister my entire life. Hell, I’m still in that role and always will be. But if my brother has the audacity to approach me with a warning, he’d sure as hell better be telling me what I should be cautious about.
A few moments of silence pass between my brother and I before he speaks again, “I hate it when you’re right. Rumors are floating around that Valentin had his last wife killed. She wasn’t useful to him anymore since they had an heir and she was shot down on her way to the park with their son.”
I gasp, covering my hand over my mouth from pure shock. “Oh my word. That’s horrific.” I mutter after returning my hand back to my side.
“I don’t trust that family, Sofia. I think it’s wrong for our father too.” I can’t disagree with my brother. “I only ask one thing of you, to be careful with these people. They shouldn’t be trusted. You’re a smart woman and it’s my job to protect you, little sister. Obviously, I can’t be in Moscow with you, so watch your back.”
I wrap my arms around my brother’s waist and nuzzle my face into his chest just like I did when I was a little girl. Alejandro has always been here to protect me, and I don’t think this will ever change. We have an undeniable bond that will never break.
Chapter Two
A wise man learns more from his enemies than a fool from his friends
~Tailored Motives
Valentin
This is my first time ever traveling to Mexico. While I’ve been to many places around the world there’s never been a reason for me to come this way. My father has always traveled here to speak with Miguel whenever the situation arises. This time things are much different. I sent through a formal proposal to Miguel a little over six months ago asking for his daughter's hand in marriage. My father and I are here to finally meet the woman, Sofia, and to take her back to Moscow with us.
Miguel has given us a lot of shit for wanting to take my bride back with us. He complains about how it isn’t custom for the bride to go back with her husband before they’re officially married. However, we’re not in a traditional setting. I worry about allowing my fiancée to stay here in Mexico because of the long list of enemies my family has. My family and I don’t always play by the rules and in being rebels we happen to piss quite a few people off. We anticipated Miguel would fight us tooth and nail, however when it comes to Sofia’s safety he wouldn’t put her in jeopardy. This is the only reason he’s allowing me to take her. Although, he informed us she doesn’t know about our plans. He expressed Sofia would be heartbroken if she knew she was leaving ahead of time, therefore he decided to keep it from her.
“How far away are we?” I ask my father, who sits beside me in the town car we’ve rented for the day.
He pushes down the privacy screen and looks to the driver, “Do you speak English?” he asks with his thick Russian ac
cent. Most people can’t understand him when he tries so I typically speak for him.
“Yes. Inglés,” The driver nods. “How may I help you, Sir?”
“When will we be there?” my father asks, seeming a bit irritated.
“We’re pulling up to the restaurant now. You want me to wait out here until you return, yes?”
“That is what you’ve been paid to do. You’ll take us back to the airport in a couple of hours. Do not leave.” Oh boy. This man is already pissing him off. My father angrily shuffles back against the seat and stares out the window, not wanting to continue striking up a conversation with me or the man who is transporting us through this foreign territory.
The car pulls beside the restaurant and parks on the street, directly in front of the entrance. I take off my suit jacket and throw it over my arm before we get out of the car. Back in Russia it’s around twenty degrees Fahrenheit whereas here it must be in the seventies. I didn’t think to prepare for this. In Russia it’s rarely ever this warm unless it’s the peak of summer.
Placing my hand on my door both my father and I exit the vehicle. He slides out behind me and slams the door shut. “Fuck, it’s too bright here,” he grumbles, moving his hand above his eyes. While he’s complaining the hint of saltiness in the air hits my nostrils and I realize just how close to the water we really are.
“We’re only here for a few hours. Surely you can handle the heat,” I hiss, annoyed with his attitude. If he acts in this manner before Sofia is with us and we’re on our way back home, everything could fall apart. I simply won’t allow it to happen, not when this has been our goal for years.
I look around for a moment in an attempt to figure out where the stairwell is that leads up to the restaurant when I’m grabbed by the throat and shoved into the wood next to me. My face is scraping against nails and staples which are supporting the balcony. “Syn, it’s best you remember who you’re speaking to.”
“How could I forget?” I snap, turning around to face the old man. As soon as I turn, I’m staring into the barrel of a gun. I can’t help but scoff, glancing from the gun to look in his eyes. “Are you really going to shoot me?”
“I’m thinking about it. My swimmers still work. I could simply pull this trigger and produce another heir to the Bratva. There are plenty of slaves who would love to give me a child.” His words sicken me beyond belief. Threatening me and already figuring out how he’d continue the lineage of our family. Sick motherfucker.
I cock a brow and grow a pair. For the first time in my entire life I stand up to the old bastard. “You wouldn’t dare. Your dying, old man. You’d be lucky to even get a woman pregnant before you croak. Then what would happen? One of our enemies would move in and take what our family has worked so hard on? I don’t think so,” I snarl, shoving him in the chest I walk toward the stairwell which leads up to the balcony and go up the stairs.
A gust of wind blows in my direction and a burning sensation strikes me against the cheek. Placing my hand on my skin I wipe it across and bring my fingers into view, seeing blood. Fuck, I must’ve nicked myself on a nail. I pull out my black pocket square from my suit jacket and put it against my face, applying pressure for a few moments in the hopes I’ll stop bleeding. I don’t want to meet Sofia looking like some New York gangster.
Glancing behind me I notice my father hasn’t come up the steps. Maybe he’s left me to tend to this meeting myself. Not that I wouldn’t mind. I’ll do whatever I can to ensure this goes smoothly. I approach the double doors which lead into the restaurant and pull on the door. Within a moment, a man in a suit comes to the door and speaks on the other side.
“Lo siento, señor. Estamos cerrados para un evento privado.” I don’t speak Spanish, so I have no fucking clue what this man is saying.
I raise my brows and shrug my shoulders. We might not be speaking the same language, but hopefully he understands body language. The man continues to stand there, speaking in a louder tone. “Sal de aquí antes de que llame a la policía y te saquen. Esta es propiedad privada. Te estoy diciendo que estamos cerrados. Por favor, vete.”
“Look, I don’t know what you’re saying. I don’t speak Spanish dude. Only English!” I grumble out just as a woman in a bright pink dress walks past. We both share an intense stare and something seems familiar between us both. She cocks her head and approaches the door, but it appears that the man is upset at her actions.
“Señorita Ramírez, mis disculpas. Estoy intentando que este señor se vaya. Sin embargo no me está haciendo caso. Por favor perdoneme,” he states, glancing back between the two of us.
She gives him a half smile and nods before she speaks. “Por favor no te disculpes, Carlos. Este señor no habla español. Hablo inglés, así que permíteme traducir.”
The man looks unsure, “No me gusta esto señorita Ramírez. Tu Padre tendrá mi cabeza. Me dieron instrucciones que se mantuveria alejada de las puertas y ventanas. Por favor tomé asiento afuera.”
The woman rolls her eyes, looking frustrated for a moment. “Carlos is trying to tell you the restaurant is closed for a private event for the day and he’d like you to leave. Many apologies but come back tomorrow when they’re open again. Alright?”
“Ah, I’m afraid I can’t do that. You see, I’m meeting two business associates here alongside my father.”
She cocks a brow, “What’s your name?”
“Valentin. Valentin Volkolv,” I state, and within a second everything changes between us. Suddenly the sassy woman I saw roll her eyes at this man is replaced by a timid lamb. I knew today would be interesting, but now I’m intrigued. The reason she’s changed her demeanor speaks volumes to me. I guess we’ll see how this goes.
Chapter Three
People say a lot. So, I watch what they do
~Unknown
Sofia
This is Valentin? An incredibly handsome man who looks like he could be a runway model, minus the scrape on his cheek. His sandy blonde hair is trimmed professionally. Not too long, but not too short. He’s wearing a black business shirt with matching trousers and shoes, while a gold watch adorns his wrist and a suit jacket is thrown over his arm. His belt buckle matches the same gold on his watch and I can immediately tell this man commands a room's attention.
“Are you going to let me in or should I stay out here and roast, Sofia?” he jokes. While I should retort something back to him, I can’t. His presence shocks me to my core and I realize I’m not ready for this. My father told me no one has ever seen a photograph of me so I can’t help but wonder how he knows who I am.
“How do you know my name?” I inquire.
He purses his lips together and chuckles, “Because you looked terrified when you heard my name. Only a woman who knows of me would be so afraid, and . . . well, there’s only one woman who would hear the dirtiest, darkest rumors about me.”
I take in a deep breath and nod, unlock the door and open it for my fiancé. Valentin walks in, turns around and locks the door behind him. “Am I right to be afraid?” I ask, wondering how he’ll respond back to me.
“You’d be stupid if you weren’t,” he states, grazing his eyes up and down my body. “Now I understand why your father never shared photographs of you. If the other families saw how beautiful you are, everyone would’ve wanted you.”
His compliment causes blood to start rushing to my face. I’m notorious for blushing when anyone says something sweet, and surprisingly Valentin did. “Sofia!” my father yells from behind me and I turn, instantly able to tell he’s angry.
I’m about to speak when Valentin cuts in, extending his hand to my father. “It’s an honor to finally meet you, Senor Ramirez. Thank you for inviting my father and I to come meet you in person to finalize our agreement.”
My father gives a once over to Valentin, “Speaking of your father, where is he?”
“Outside I believe. He’s a bit jet-lagged.” I don’t know how I can tell, but I feel like Valentin is lying about that last bit. He has a
fresh scrape on his face. That doesn’t just magically happen.
“Ah, of course.” My father offers Valentin his hand and the two men shake. “We’ll allow your father to have some time to get acquainted.” My father finishes his sentence in Spanish, asking Carlos to go outside and get Fredrik in ten minutes. Carlos nods at my father’s order.
“Shall we go out onto the balcony? It sits right above the water and is breathtaking this time of day,” I suggest, needing to get out of this stuffy restaurant. I feel as if I’m suffocating being this close to these two men.
“Yes. A great idea, mija,” my father replies, motioning for the two of us to follow him. Valentin allows me to follow directly behind my father, but I bet that’s because he wants a good look at my ass. The way he was staring at me earlier makes me feel like he’s a dog, and I don’t mean that as a compliment.
The group of us descend a small set of stairs and walk out to where a sliding door opens us to the deck. What Valentin doesn’t know is that this is my favorite restaurant in all of Cancun. One of my father’s associates owns it and allowed us to use it for the day. Considering a day will come within the next couple of months where I won’t know whenever I’ll be here again, I wanted to spend as much time as I could. Father respected my request and was glad to give me one of my final moments here. When I get back home tonight I’m going to see if Alejandro wants to come here with me next week. I can never say no to the food and drinks. Whatever they create, it’s divine.
My father pulls back one of the luxurious velvet-covered chair for me at the table right on the edge and I sit down. While he and Valentin take their seats, I pick up the glass of red wine in front of me and take a sip.
Web of Lies Page 18