Russian Mafia Boss's Heir Read Online Free PDF Page A

well be clear about that since it’s practically the only reason I have to marry Mikhail anyway. If I was your real daughter, I wouldn’t have to worry about being disinherited.”
    ***
     
    TORI WATCHED MIKHAIL’S expression grow exponentially darker when she listed such a mercenary reason for marriage. Why would the guy believe she was doing this for any other reason? Surely he couldn’t believe she was excited to do this duty for her family?
    “I’m glad to see you dressed up.” If the sarcasm in his tone didn’t piss her off, the derisive expression on his face would have. The man was insufferable, and she was about to marry him!
    Tori glanced down at her little black dress. The skirt hit her just above the knees. The bodice was fitted, and the scoop neck showed off an impressive amount of cleavage. Her little cap sleeves were very flattering to her arms, and she couldn’t help but think that the black kitten heels she was wearing made her feet look incredibly dainty too. She was perfectly happy with her choice of attire. And really, the black was both elegant and appropriate given the circumstances.
    “This happens to be one of my best dresses.” Tori kept her tone intentionally snotty. “In fact, it’s by a top designer. I bought it in New York the last time I went shopping.” She waved her hand as though that was an every month occurrence instead of a once-in-a-lifetime event. “So if you can’t be flattered by Vera Wang, I think you might just be too out of it—fashion wise—to appreciate the compliment I’m giving you by being married in this dress.” There. That explanation made Tori want to vomit. She’d sounded shallow and silly. Exactly as they were all making her out to be.
    Nobody said a thing about her performance.
    Instead, her stepfather got down to business, filling his plate from the dishes offered on the table and ignoring her completely. Mikhail’s expression throughout this process was priceless. He was poking around at something on his plate. Eggs or sausage. Her stepfather had a plate of blini in front of him. Tori couldn’t bring herself to eat anything. She knew if she ate she would just throw up. Her nerves were in tatters at the moment.
    “Did you sleep well, Tori?” Stanislas asked after nearly five minutes of uncomfortable silence.
    Tori blinked at her stepfather in utter shock. Finally, she managed to locate her words. “Certainly.” She pursed her lips, wondering if she should say more. “I’m sorry. Are we pretending that last night never happened?”
    Mikhail’s gaze lifted, locking with hers and warning her not to say anything to her stepfather.
    She frowned a bit and wondered why Mikhail hadn’t ratted her out. It was oddly out of character. Or at least it was out of character for what she assumed he was like. Her stepfather would have relished the opportunity to berate her for making a poor decision to go out and therefore proving him right that her choice of fun activities with her friends was a bad one.
    ***
     
    MIKHAIL WONDERED IF Tori wanted an excuse to think badly of him, or if she was just angry about the arranged marriage. Whatever her feelings, he was beginning to think that this brunch was the worst idea ever. It was tense in the dining room with just the three of them. Plus, he hadn’t had an opportunity to explain to her that he didn’t think they should divulge what had happened at the club to her stepfather. It would do Stanislas no good to know the details of what had transpired. The man would just get angry about it.
    “What are you speaking of?” Stanislas snapped. “You ran off with your friends, and Mikhail had to bring the lot of you home because none of you were smart enough to save enough money to call a cab.” He seemed to suddenly realize that he was missing a vital part of the story. “Where did you go anyway? Mikhail never said.”
    Mikhail felt his stomach tighten. The eggs he’d eaten felt like sawdust in his gut. Then