Page 27 of Always Meant To Be

He married her as soon as they hit eighteen, and knocked her up before my father could find him a suitable bride for the future Pakhan. When he heard about Maxim’s elopement, he was furious, but when Maxim swore to leave the organization for Valerie, who was a civilian, my father was impressed by his love for her and what he was willing to give up. It helped when he learned they were having a boy, an heir.

Their love is something for the storybooks, and something I don’t think I’ll ever have.

“Follow me, Romeo. I saved you a seat,” my sister says loudly, getting our attention. Valerie growls, Maxim scoffs, and I, well, I just watch as he willingly takes hold of her hand and follows her to the main table, where, not so shockingly, there’s no seat for me.

He doesn’t even look around the room to see where I’ve gone, and this is why I don’t believe that contract or his pleas for me to listen.

Shaking my head, I look toward Valerie and give her a sad smile as she grabs my hand, squeezing it all while I want to crawlinto the shadows. I can feel the eyes on me because my husband is sitting next to his sister-in-law, allowing her to be all over him.

He’s made me into the embarrassment, and doesn’t have the decency to care.

I spend all evening on my own after Maxim and Valerie are called to do the rounds with the Made Men and family members.

No one comes my way, not even my husband; instead, I watch as my sister hangs off Romeo’s arm while he lets her, breaking my heart.

“I think it’s time you let that man go.” I jump at the voice, and turn to see my mother’s sister, Agy, my sister’s biggest supporter, looking me up and down like I’m dirt beneath her shoe.

Another woman who is mad I wasn’t born a boy.

I raise a brow. “You think I should let my husband go, a husband I was forced to marry when my sister couldn’t keep her legs shut?”

Her nostrils flare, but she doesn’t back down. "Yes. He was always supposed to be with Liliya. It’s been four years, Elena, and you haven’t fulfilled the contract, giving Romeo an heir. Right now, all you are doing is keeping two people in love apart….”

With that said, she walks away, leaving me speechless as my eyes go to the man who slowly stole my heart, and my sister who treated me like crap growing up. They’re talking to my father.

Romeo’s back is to me, but his arm is around my sister protectively. She has a big grin, her body leaning against Romeo’s.

My whole family is here with my father’s men, and he’s claiming her like I’m not even in the room.

My eyes tear up as I grab my purse, adamant about leaving, when a loud crash and bang echo in the room. Screams and shouts fill me as I watch in horror as my husband dives for mysister, covering her body with his, before sharp, searing pains shoot down my leg, and I cry in shock, my legs giving out.

I fall to the floor with a thump as another shot rings out past my shoulder, skimming it, and I scream, tears falling. My eyes return to the room's other side to see men running around. My father is protecting my mother, shooting toward the backdoor, my husband is still on top of my screaming sister, all while I’m unprotected.

I sob.

He saved her but didn’t even look around the room to see if I was okay. It’s like he’s forgotten I’m even here.

Dizziness hits me suddenly, and pain throbs in my leg, causing me to look down, my eyes going to my blood-soaked dress, and I realize….

Oh God, I’ve been shot….

My heart pounds and I look around the room again.

Chaos is everywhere, but everyone’s attention is on my screaming sister, checking to make sure she isn’t hurt with how much she is crying, while Maxim is ordering the men around, with Valerie tucked under his arm.

“Romeo!” my sister wails, and my blurry eyes go their way, only for bile to rise.

Her arms are wrapped around his neck, his around her waist, and their lips are locked.

Everything in me shuts down, Agy’s words hitting me again….

“All you're doing is keeping two people in love a part….”

And she’s right. I don’t know why Romeo was adamant about me reading the contract, but right now, he and Liliya are getting what they want because I’m out.

I’m done.

Drowsiness hits me hard, and I know I need to get out of here. No one knows I’m hurt; no one cares….