Maria
I was told to wear a pretty dress, not by him, but by Dominika.
She tried to make it sound like something fun that every woman would be thrilled to do, dressing up for my pakhan. But my life isn't a game. Not when it's being controlled by people who are in the business of murder.
So, I'm determined to spite Mikhail and chose a bright red evening dress with a deep, plunging neckline that leaves nothing to the imagination. The color clashes with my hair, but I don't care. I swirl in front of the triple mirrors on the closet wall. I look like a she-devil sent to torture him. I stop moving around and frown at my reflection. It looks more like a Halloween costume than an avenging dark angel.
Mikhail has made it clear that we're to take meals together. It's his way of checking on me an
