VLAD (The V Games #1)(11)
Despite her fire, she offers me her elbow—a show of respect to my own family. We may be equals in a sense, both being from powerful First Families, but she doesn’t emasculate me by prancing off ahead, and that pleases me. That would be more Vika’s style. Diana tilts her head up and flashes warm smiles to all she passes. She’s good. Really fucking good. Most people—men and women both—eat out of her palm. It’s probably why her father has shifted the business more into her hands. He’s always been a little weasel, and it usually comes back to bite him in the ass. With Diana, she earns respect rather than demands it.
“This dress is beautiful on you,” I whisper in her ear as we pass through the doors into the ornate restaurant.
She bats her lashes at me and gives me a smile I recognize as a real one. “Thanks, Vlad. You clean up well yourself.”
I bite back the chuckle that wants to trickle from my lips. She’s never seen me any way but tailored. We approach the hostess stand where a man dressed in all black gives me a simple nod before escorting us over to the corner near the windows. It’s the table always reserved for me. Diana stiffens beside me, but doesn’t say a word. We pass by her own table that will remain empty tonight. This is about joining two wealthy and powerful families. She knows it as well as I do, and despite her being raised to take over her family’s legacy, she will be a Vasiliev. With that title comes respect I’ll demand she show me as her man and husband.
The Vasiliev name outranks the Volkov one now and always.
I pull out her chair and make sure she’s settled before sitting down. A server quietly arrives with some wine and pops the cork in front of us. Once our glasses are filled, he disappears. This restaurant isn’t ordinary. You’re served what the chef has prepared. It changes daily. Tonight, according to the chalkboard when we came in, we’re indeed having the famous crab.
Diana skims the restaurant. She does so in a curious, innocent way, but I know better. She’s assessing which families are dining tonight—a quick peek to see who’s negotiating with whom. I did my own check when we arrived. Five families dine tonight, three of which who were stiff and unhappy to see Diana on my arm.
A good match, undeniably, if we’ve already managed to piss everyone off.
I reach across the table and take her hand, giving it a small squeeze. It’s an encouraging one from one long-time friend to another, but to all those around us, it can appear as a lover’s touch. It’ll solidify the fact that this isn’t just a match set forth by our fathers, but one we’re both in on as well. A concrete partnership. Unyielding and unbreakable. Most definitely a statement.
“Thank you, lyublyu.” My love. She exhales a nervous breath.
I tug her hand to my lips and kiss her. “Of course, moy prekrasnyy.” My beautiful. I pull away and take a drink of my red wine. I prefer vodka, but not on a pre-engagement date. Wine definitely sets the tone. “Your father spoke to you, no?”
She nods as she pushes back her shoulders. Her blue eyes become sharp and intense. Business mode. I admire this about sweet Diana. “Ahhh, he did. It’s a new revelation, though. Can we expect a timeline?”
“My father wants it done before the annual V Games.”
“Of course,” she says politely. “I will begin planning the wedding. Any requests?”
“None.” Because I don’t. I’m marrying Diana to strengthen our family’s position. Nothing more. There are far worse choices than the eldest Volkov. Ruslan, for instance, has been matched to my sister, because I willed it so. Very far worse choices, indeed. He’s here tonight with his father and brother, Ven.
“I see. A simple man,” she says tightly, drawing my attention back to her. Her tone is abrupt despite the warm smile on her lips. “I’ll see to it that the wedding is beautiful and unforgettable. A woman dreams of this moment her entire life.” A sad longing twinkles in her eyes for a moment before it’s snuffed out. Her lips purse as she studies me. “I have requests, Vlad.”
I lift a brow. An interesting development. “Yes?”
“I will keep one of my own men as my main bodyguard if you would like me to stay with your family before the nuptials. You must understand where I’m coming from.” There is no malice or accusation in her tone. Simply business. She wants protection by one who will see to her best interest over mine and our family, and she can have it—until I put that wedding ring on her finger. At that point, she will learn to bend to my will and obey her husband.
I smile at her. “Of course. Anything else?”
“My sister,” she whispers, her voice cracking slightly. “You help me make sure she’s not used as a pawn. I want her to find happiness and love. The real, organic kind.”
I’m shocked at her words. “Irina should marry a Voskoboynikov.” And she should. They’re up and coming over that of the Vetrov. It is also why I did what I did to make sure Vika continued with the plan to marry one of Niko Vetrov’s brothers rather than Ivan Voskoboynikov. I wanted her under my thumb. My arranged marriage would strengthen the Vasiliev name. All that came with Vika was nothing but vengeance on my part.
Images of Irina dance in my mind at the thought of her in a gown being married off to a man she hardly knows. Him taking her to his bed and getting to be the first man to ever touch the delicate skin between her thighs.