But I know better than to deny Willow the lead. She marches us through the shop to the rear dressing rooms, mean-mugging every brigadier who seems to step too close. Geez. Bottle up her confidence for me. Soak me in it on my wedding day.
Two damn days away.
I gulp while Willow shoves me into a dressing room. “Fashion show. Two minutes.”
“What if I need help?”
“You know how to knock, don’t you?”
I sigh. “Fine.”
She grins. “Okay, great.Bye now.”
The door closes behind me. And then I realize I’m alone.
It’s weird. I’ve gotten used to being surrounded by brigadiers and hounded by Viktoria. Pavel has spoken to me in passing a few times, but he’s largely quiet—a mysterious figure who seems to hover just outside of my peripheral vision at all times.
Surrounded at every angle—that’s my life now.
And my future.
While I change, Willow leans against the door and says, “I was thinking about how this whole thing might get you into trouble.”
“You mean more than I’m already in?”
“I mean with that Cardona guy you mentioned.”
I hum thoughtfully. “I didn’t think of that.”
“I bet he’s going to hear about this from plenty of people, and he’s going to have a lot to say about it. He might evendosomething about it.”
“Willow has a point,” Karina agrees. “Word is already spreading on the street.”
I groan my way into a snow-white princess gown. “What can we do about it?”
“Well…” Karina’s voice fades.
My heart drops into my stomach as I whisper, “Is thereanythingwe can do?”
The silence blaring through the door hurts my ears.
I think that’s my answer.
“No,” Karina finally sighs. “I’m sorry.”
I shake my head. “Just fucking wonderful. I love it.”
“Once you’re initiated before the Bratva, everything will be set in stone. That’s something Cardona won’t be able to stop.”
“Wait, initiated?” Willow scoffs. “Are you talking about a cult or something? Jesus on wheels, this is getting weirder by the second.”
I drag my fingers through my hair. “Karina, can you tell me more about that?”
“I’m afraid I don’t know exactly what happens.”
Just put me out of my misery already. “Awesome.”
“All I know is that Pavel completely changed after his initiation. I don’t want to say that will happen to you, but I can’t guarantee that it won’t.”