For Better, For Worse: The Serpent's Contract Wife

Chapter 89: The Russos’ [1]

I stood in front of the full-length mirror wearing a wine-red mini dress that flowed effortlessly around my figure. The high halter neckline gathered at the collar, draping through the bodice that cascaded in airy layers. I paired the outfit with ivory ankle-strap heels.

I took a moment to admire myself, turning sideways and sweeping my dark hair over one shoulder.

I exhaled a deep, exhausting breath, hands on my waist as I tilted my head to the side. I’m really not up for this, but Luca said we were gonna be having dinner with the Russos.

He made it sound like a big deal, too. After all, they were gonna be staying over until the hunt. fгee𝑤ebɳoveɭ.cøm

I’m game for staying in my room and minding my fucking business. But I’m shameless enough to admit I knew what’d follow next, if I don’t attend that dinner.

Zade.

I can’t deal with that snake, and I’m not in any position for any of his... punishments.

I eyed the anklet on the glass-topped island, the source of what happened last night. I still didn’t wanna wear it, so I dumped it where I kept it the whole time and wore my wedding ring instead.

I paused for a moment, completely taken over by how easily I wore it. If this had been a month ago, I wouldn’t.

But this one was easier to wear.

For some reason, I believed that the anklet held more meaning than this ring on my finger.

I walked out of my closet, silencing my thoughts as I neared the dresser to apply my lipstick.

A knock echoed through the room. "It’s Elliot."

I rubbed my lips together before walking to answer it.

"I’m not late, am I?" I asked the moment I opened the door, and when I didn’t get a response... "Elliot?"

He blinked as if snapping out of it, but I wasn’t sure he was completely out yet, because his eyes drank in the sight of me.

I cleared my throat, and his eyes shot back to my face. His mouth hung, and I raised an eyebrow, amused.

"You um..." he paused, and I was stumped by this sight of him who couldn’t get the words out.

I always pictured him as the charismatic brother, with words that could get a lady swooning.

"You look okay," he managed to say.

"I’m sorry, what?"

"I said you look okay."

"Has no one told you you’re the worst when it comes to compliments?"

He opened his mouth to speak, but I beat him to it.

"For someone who practically drips gentlemanly charm, you’re surprisingly stingy with compliments." I strolled back to my dresser.

I checked my lips, then did my eyeliner.

"Apologies. You got me speechless, that’s why."

I turned to him. He still stood at the doorway like he was forbidden from entering my room.

"Well, I’m impressed that I managed to pull out that reaction."

"So am I."

I smiled, and he mirrored the gesture.

I heard my phone, and I grabbed the device to check, my lip stretching wider. "Now this is something."

"What?"

"Just a memorable event that will possibly go down in history." I raised my phone. "Wanna see?"

Elliot remained there like a statue, and I rolled my eyes.

"You can come in."

He moved, hands buried in his pocket. His eyes swept my room briefly.

"Luca could learn a thing or two from you," I mumbled under my breath when he came behind me.

His eyes narrowed. "You posted it?"

I giggled. "Of course I did! You didn’t think I did all those hours of makeup for a view-once experience, did you?"

Elliot was once again speechless.

"And now Dante’s gonna be an internet sensation. Just imagine the collective shock when this pops up on the feed. Look! It already has 1k likes."

"They won’t even know it’s him. I mean, you did a really good job giving him another identity."

"Oh, I tagged him. And the caption says, ’My beloved brother-in-law embracing his drag queen era.’ "

Elliot shot me a look, as though I were some evil mastermind

"Luca helped me accept my friend request; the rest was easy peasy."

"You’re evil."

I narrowed my eyes at the accusation. "Excuse you. I’m a delight to be around. The fact that you think otherwise is deeply hurtful."

Elliot let out a light chuckle, checking his Rolex. "We should um... get going. We wouldn’t want to keep our guests waiting."

"So you came to escort me?"

"I had to make sure you weren’t standing us up."

"Lemme guess. Don’s orders?"

Elliot smiled, walking to the door. Of course it was. Who else but that snake when it came to being cognizant?

I dropped my phone, silently wishing my dress had pockets. I could have blurred through dinner while enjoying the latest internet sensation. Sadly, that will have to wait.

Elliot led me to the dining area,. The doors were already open, and we walked into a round of laughter and conversation coming from the table.

Dante was the first to see me, and I gave him a knowing smirk, which he returned with glaring daggers at me until I was convinced he was gonna get out of his seat and punch me square in the face.

I stuck my tongue out at him, and he ground his teeth in response.

Hehe.

Suddenly, the laughter died down, and all eyes turned to us.

"Apologies, but my brother couldn’t make it."

I shot Elliot a look.

What? I thought Zade was gonna be here.

"No worries there, Zade has always been a busy man."

Someone spoke up, the same man who saw me from the balcony.

He pushed to his feet and came towards me. "I suppose his beautiful wife has come in his stead?"

"Yes," Elliot replied.

He and I were gonna have a long talk after this! I’ve been thrust into the frontlines for fucks sake. I thought I was attending this dinner as background decoration, not as Zade’s representative.