Chapter 4: Sinful Union: Chapter 4

Viktor Novikov stands across from me, swirling the vodka in his glass in slow, deliberate circles.

His expression is carefully fixed, his mouth slanted into something that almost resembles amusement, but I know better. The man in front of me isn’t amused; he’s calculating. He’s testing the waters, searching for cracks, looking for any sign of weakness. He won’t find any.

“Quite the spectacle, Pavel,” he says in a smooth voice. “You always knew how to put on a show.”

“This isn’t a show,” I retort. “This is my wedding.”

He laughs. “Ah yes, that’s right. And what better way to celebrate your nuptials than in top-notch style?”

“It goes beyond that. It’s a necessary event for a necessary alliance.”

Novikov hums, taking a sip. “Yes, an alliance. That’s what we’re calling it.” His gaze flicks briefly to Piotr, who’s laughing with a group of men near the bar, then to Kat, on the dance floor with Vlad. “I have to say, I didn’t think she’d actually go through with it. It’s been a long time since the lovely Katerina was in your life.”

His words are deliberate and probing.

“I almost forgot that the Bratva families enjoy gossiping like schoolgirls as much as they enjoy their more lucrative businesses.”

He chuckles. “Perhaps, but there’s also the matter of precisely what is happening here tonight.”

“A wedding—just what it looks like.”

“With a wife who appears to be a million miles away? We know her heart isn’t in this, but what about her head?”

I nod slowly. “She knows her duty.”

Novikov chuckles again. “If you say so, though, I can’t help but wonder what her thoughts will be after things play out. Does she know what’s coming?”

I keep my expression neutral as he continues to fish for information. “She knows enough,” I reply smoothly.

Novikov watches me for a long moment before sighing heavily. He leans forward, placing his glass on the table. “You and I both know this won’t be as clean as you’d like it to be. The Andreevs are unpredictable. Piotr is unpredictable. I doubt he’ll take kindly to being dictated to.”

I finally allow myself to smirk. “Dictated to? No, that’s not how I see it. It’s a negotiation, Viktor. One where the terms have already been set. Whether Piotr is ready or not, the merger will happen within the week.”

Novikov leans back, watching me with sharp, calculating eyes. He’s not pleased, but he won’t fight me on this, not yet. I drain the rest of my whiskey, then set the glass down.

“Enjoy the celebration,” I tell him. “I’ll see you at the next meeting.”

Novikov picks up his glass again and raises it in mock salute. I make my way toward the dance floor. I’ve already dismissed the conversation. The real game will begin soon enough.

For now, my attention is on someone else: my wife.

I spot her immediately, dancing with Vlad. She’s stunning, her ample curves hugged perfectly by the silk of her dress. Her hips are lush, and her breasts—Christ. I swallow hard, pushing back the rush of heat that threatens to take over my body. She’s always been beautiful, but tonight, she’s something else. Untouchable. A dream draped in white, looking every bit like the woman I once thought she’d be, the woman she now is.

Vlad says something to her, and she laughs, her full lips curving in a way that makes my cock twitch. That laugh causes memories to surface; how easily her laughter would arise when she was with me. My body tightens. It’s been years, but my reaction to her hasn’t changed. If anything, the hunger is more intense.

The song continues, and I head to the bar to refill my drink, taking the opportunity to watch them a little longer. She and Vlad are engaged in what looks like a lighthearted conversation, but I know better. The way Kat’s eyes keep flicking around, she’s searching for me in the crowd. It’s obvious that I’m the topic of conversation, but what exactly is the context?

“Another of the same, Mr. Fetisov?” the bartender asks, an eyebrow arched in anticipation.

“Yes, please.”

He refills my glass, and the song ends. Vlad and Kat continue to talk and dance, and it’s becoming clearer by the second that the subject isn’t mere congratulations and well-wishes. Then, Piotr emerges from the crowd. He heads toward them with purpose, he and his brother exchanging a few words. Vlad places Kat’s hand in Piotr’s, then walks away.

The bartender hands me my drink. I’m ready to join my wife. A little networking is expected at such an event, but after a while, it would look strange for the groom not to be with his bride at their wedding reception. I take a long sip, then set my glass on the bar before moving toward them.

Kat’s eyes meet mine as I approach. Her spine stiffens as her fingers grip Piotr’s shoulder. She recovers quickly, but her reaction to my presence is undeniable.

“May I have the next dance?” I ask. “And, if I haven’t told you yet, you look like something out of a dream.”

Her cheeks redden at the compliment. She looks away for a moment before turning those smokey eyes back to mine. She tilts her chin up. Clearly, she doesn’t want me to see how much I affect her.

“Thank you.”

I slide my arm around her waist, pulling her flush against me. Her breath catches, and it’s the most satisfying sound I’ve heard all night. I lower my head slightly, inhaling the faint scent of her perfume—something sweet and familiar—and utterly intoxicating.

“Was the wedding to your liking?” I ask, my lips close to her ear. I can feel her body shiver.

She hesitates before answering. “It was lovely.”

“Lovely.” I chuckle, moving us into a slow, controlled rhythm. “I would have liked your input, but everything was so hastily arranged.”

She lifts her eyes to mine, something guarded in her expression. “I’m sure it would have turned out the same, regardless.”

There’s that smile again—polite, distant. I fucking hate it.

I tighten my hold on her waist just slightly, just enough for her to feel the full press of my body against hers. “You weren’t this shy when we were younger.”

Her eyes flash. There she is.

“I’ve changed in the last six years,” she says, her voice sharp, cool.

I smirk, lowering my head just a fraction. “In that case, I look forward to getting to know you again.”

Her pupils dilate as she swallows hard. She’s speechless. But then, she quickly recovers, her lips curling upward as she lifts an eyebrow. “How fortunate for me.”

I bark out a laugh, a real one, throwing my head back as it rumbles from my chest.

“You know, no one has ever made me laugh like you do.”

She blinks, then scoffs like she doesn’t believe me. “That’s ridiculous.”

I shake my head. “No, it isn’t.” My fingers caress the small of her back, keeping her close. “I look forward to a lot more laughter with you, Kat.”

Uncertainty, or perhaps confusion, clouds her expression for a moment. It’s barely there, but I catch it. It’s as if she doesn’t know what to do. “We were something special once,” I remind her. “We can be again.”

Her breath hitches before I kiss her.

It’s meant to be light, just a brief brush of lips, but the second we connect, that all changes. Her mouth parts slightly, just enough for me to deepen the kiss. She doesn’t pull away. My grip tightens on her waist, and fuck, she’s so soft and warm. Every inch of her fits against me, like we were made for each other, like she was made for me.

And for just a moment, I allow myself to believe she was.