Becoming Bryan Mozorov’s Third Wife

CHAPTER SIXTEEN: Bait and Blade

BRYAN

"Sir..." Jason’s voice drifted from behind me.

I didn't turn immediately. I was still rooted to the floor, my eyes burned by the image of Mai in that dress. The way the silk clung to her damp skin, the way her breasts strained against the neckline, it was a miracle I hadn't ripped it off her right there in front of the staff.

"Have someone escort her to the car," I commanded, my voice sounding like gravel. I signaled to one of the guards without looking back, my pulse still thundering in my ears. "Now."

I turned and began to stride down the hallway, my pace fast. Jason fell into step beside me, his expression tight, his eyes scanning the corridors. We moved away from the prying eyes of the maids and toward the heavy doors of my study.

"Everything is ready," Jason said, his voice dropping to a low murmur.

I halted in my tracks, the polished marble floor reflecting the cold fire in my eyes. "And the perimeter? I don't want a single gap. I want every one of Volkov’s rats accounted for. Especially Victor himself. He dared to enter my wife’s chambers; he dies today. And if Arnold gets caught in the crossfire? It won't hurt my feelings."

Jason hesitated, shifting his weight. "Well, that is the problem, sir. Arnold has been busy. He seems to have alerted the police."

I felt a vein thrum in my temple. "What? It’s a private wedding on private property. What the hell do I need them there for?"

"He caught on to the plan, Bryan. He knows the ceremony is a front for a hit. He’s trying to flood the area with sirens to keep the guns silent."

I let out a short, dark laugh. Of course he did. Arnold always loved to dig his own grave, that's how he drove his company Reds to bankruptcy, he didn't want to stay in my shadow and that's how I got his company robbed to bits. That explains the audacity he had yesterday, whispering poison into Mai’s ear. He thought the law would protect him from me. Or is he trying to protect Mai right under my nose, while I'm watching.

"Arnold is officially getting on my nerves," I spat, my fingers twitching for a trigger. "Call the commissioner. Use the payroll. Do whatever you have to do to stall them. I want those cruisers three miles out and stationary until I say otherwise."

"I’m on it," Jason replied.

"What about Suzanne?"

"My men spotted her at the airport yesterday. She should be here by morning, seeing as you sent her an invitation to her step-brother's wedding," he narrated. "And she seems to have already made contact with Adrian."

Just as I thought. My dear step-siblings. They were the reason for all of this, the reason I had bought Mai, dressed her like a saint, and staged this entire circus. They wouldn't be able to resist coming out of the woodwork to see the "happy couple," and once they were in the open, I would finally cut them out of my life permanently.

"If only they hadn't met with Arnold first," I reasoned aloud. "Suzanne met Arnold yesterday right?" If he told them I planned to wipe them all out at the altar today, they’d never show.

"I could have him arrested to keep him away from the venue," Jason suggested.

"No," I replied, a more brutal idea taking shape. "I need leverage. Get Arnold’s son in my custody. Now."

"I already did that, sir."

I stopped, genuinely surprised by Jason’s sharp initiative. "You did?"

"I figured it would be necessary if Arnold went wild. I didn't think you'd mind."

I patted his shoulder, a genuine smirk spreading across my face. "You did well, Jason. Very well." I straightened my cuffs. "Now, get the men ready to receive my mother. What about Alicia and Casmir?"

"Under close watch. I sent them the letter exactly like you told me to. It's already in motion."

I nodded my head, "And Jason?" I stepped closer, my voice turning lethal. "I need more men on the floor. Every eye stays on Mai. The moment she reaches that aisle and the first shot rings out, she becomes the only priority. She must not get a single scratch on her skin. Do you understand? She stays safe at all costs."

I could already picture it, the moment the double doors opened and the guests set their eyes on Mai’s body as it strode through the hall. I could imagine the collective intake of breath as they took in the sheer silk and the skin I had so carefully put on display. Just how many of those enemies of mine, hiding in the shadows, would lose their focus?

"They will automatically think that Mai is my weakness and come for her immediately, because I love expensive and pretty things."

I mused, a cold smirk tugging at my lips.

I thought of the red marks on her wrists and the way she looked in that dress, ripe, defiant, and mine. My hand mark was still plastered on her thigh like a brand. I hadn't spent all that money and effort to let a stray bullet ruin the finest thing I owned.

"Understood, sir," Jason said, already reaching for his phone.

I straightened my cuffs, the adrenaline finally overriding the lust. "Good. Let's go. It’s time to see if my bride can handle a little smoke with her vows." I said.

I felt a flare of irritation as I caught Mabel standing by the doorway. She looked like a wreck. Her eyes were bloodshot and swimming with tears, and her expensive silk robe was cinched messily at her waist.

"Mabel, what is this?" I asked, my voice flat.

"You're getting married," she slurred. The heavy, sweet scent of expensive gin hit me even from five feet away. She took a stumbling step forward, her voice cracking. "You're actually doing it. You're marrying again."

She let out a ragged sob, her face twisting with a mix of grief and drunken rage. She tried to lung toward me, her hands reaching out to grab my lapels, but Jason moved with practiced ease. He stepped between us shielding me without saying a word.

"You even f****d April all night," she screamed over Jason’s shoulder, the words coming out in a spray of spit and bitterness. "I heard her! The whole house heard her! How could you do this to me?"

I didn't even flinch. I just adjusted my watch, the gold reflecting the hallway lights. The emotional outbursts of my ex-wives were becoming a tedious routine, and today, I had no patience for it.

I rolled my eyes, looking at her as if she were a smudge on my shoe. "Mabel, let’s do this later, okay? I’m quite busy right now. Go back to your room and sleep it off."

I turned my back on her before she could respond, the sound of her renewed wailing echoing off the marble walls. She was a reminder of what happened when women outlived their usefulness, they became loud, messy, and desperate.

"Make sure she doesn't leave the North Wing until the cars have gone," I muttered to Jason as we walked away.

"Consider it done, sir."

I stepped out heading towards my car. I was halfway to my car when Jason’s phone chimed with an urgent alert. He pulled it out, his eyes scanning the screen before they nearly tripled in size.

"Sir!" Jason shouted, his voice cracking with a panic I hadn't heard in years.

I stopped, my hand on the car door. "What now?" My body guards at the sides waiting for me get in.

"It’s the feed from the chapel," Jason gasped, his face draining of all color as he shoved the phone toward me. "Victor Volkov. He’s already inside. He bypassed the perimeter an hour ago."

My heart hammered against my ribs. "What? Where is he?"

"He’s at the altar, Bryan," Jason choked out, looking at the time stamp on the screen. "And the wedding march just started. Mai is already walking down the aisle."

Without me?! Mai is in danger!!