TRIANGLES

VLADIMIR

By the time I made it to my room from the red room, my head felt like two pans were clanking inside of it.

The ideal thing to pop for help was perhaps an Advil, but the Bratva's dealt with headaches like this differently.

I walked straight to the glass shelf case where I kept my whiskey collection, and grabbed a full bottle.

Whilst one hand popped open the buttons on my shirt, the other expertly unscrewed the whiskey cover.

Both came off at the same time, as I plopped on the couch.

Usually, I would raise hell if anyone kept a thing out of place in my room.

I loved to keep an organized, and clean space.

However this time, I was so drained, I couldn't even be bothered to pick up my shirt carelessly tossed to the ground, and give it a proper folding before dumping it into the laundry bag.

“To Misha,” I muttered under my breath, before taking a giant sip directly from the bottle.

It burned a hole through my chest, and that was exactly why I loved it.

Five more sips had me thinking rationally, which dragged attention away from my pounding head.

The verdict was in. There was a spy, and a traitor in our midst.

Problem was, there were just two people who handled the wine goblet before it got to my hand.

Two people who I trusted with my life, enough to know they would never betray me this way.

They wouldn't dare.

Which only meant along the line, something shifted. It was swift, and intelligently calculated, so as not to leave a trace.

A sigh escaped my lips, as I resumed drinking.

Half the day had been spent in meetings, trying to draw a reasonable conclusion.

I hadn't slept in three days, despite knowing firsthand how exhaustion wasn't the best drive.

Still, how could I sleep?

The day my father said the wedding must be held had been brought to my attention exactly three days ago.

Preparations had quickly begun. Amongst which included getting into Sheila Greene's villa to get the girl.

The girl.

I paused as her face appeared in my mind, as if she was standing directly in front of me.

Dangerously stunning girl with a tongue that would sooner rather than later, put her in big trouble.

Deep down, she intrigued me. At the surface, my pride deemed it fit to keep her at arms length.

The sooner I discovered why she was the password, the sooner this sham of a marriage dissolved.

“Marriage to the pretty princess.”

I was about to rebuke that thought in my head when a knock on my door stopped me.

“Come in,” I called out reluctantly.

The door opened, and someone stepped in. I instantly knew who they were due to their scent.

“Drinking at noon? And here I foolishly thought I could make you quit.”

She came into my peripheral, a smile plastered on her face.

“Why are you here, Serena?” I questioned with an unpleasant tone.

Not necessarily because her presence annoyed me. I just wanted to be alone.

She pouted, and drew closer.

“Don't,” I warned, but she didn't listen.

She plopped next to me, and stared directly into my face.

“What? You're married now, and so I can't be close to you? Oh wait, you've been keeping me at arms length for a while now. What did I ever do wrong? I've only ever loved you.”

“And you've only ever been a friend in my eyes. In how many more languages do I need to spell it out to you, Serena?”

“You don't sleep with your friends, do you?”

“On please,” I kissed my teeth. “You proposed the sex idea. I put a stop to it over a year ago. Granted, I shouldn't have agreed to it. But I did, and now it's over.”

She chuckled.

“Nothing is funny, Serena.”

“But it is. On the contrary, Vlad, it is. I have loved you since we were kids. I've had so many suitors from the entertainment world, but none have ever managed to sway my heart. Do you think love is a switch you just flip on and off? I can't help loving you!”

“You just have to, my dear. I'm married now. Do you want to come between a marriage?” I shifted my gaze in time to see amusement in her eyes.

“Marriage? Psst! You and I know your marriage is one of convenience. Mother doesn't even like that Greene girl. She's not on your level. She's nobody.”

“She's a Greene,” I countered her lies.

“When was the last time they were relevant? No one respects that last name anymore. You know this more than anyone.”

“What if I tell you that isn't true, Serena?”

She double blinked, her head pushing forward. “What do you mean?”

“I mean that come rain, come sunshine, the Greene name lives on. You know why? Do you know why my father insisted on me marrying the daughter of his ancient enemy?”

“You told me before. Two names are better than one. Even though one name is really doing all the heavy lifting,” she added maliciously.

“Wrong again, Serena. The Greene's came out victorious in the three way war. Gambino's just managed to fire the last shot. I'm only telling you this because I do not want you underestimating Ivy.”

“I'm not sca–”

“I also do not want you giving her any trouble. Do you understand me?”

She jutted a stubborn chin. “How long?”

“How long?” I lifted a brow.

“How long until she leaves, and then I can go back to proving to you that we belong to each other in every lifetime?”

“Serena,” I called her name with a sigh. “Give up.”

“Never!” She answered firmly in a heartbeat. “You are mine. I will never allow some irrelevant bitch take you from me. Never!”

Jumping to her feet, she stormed out of my room, spewing profanities on the Greene name as she did.

My attention returned to my solace- the whiskey in my hand.