I was dressed to impress the Tsar Ace Andreev or more accurately, to keep the peace between him and my parents. 

The silk dress that my mom insisted I wear hugged my frame just enough to show elegance, not seduction. Pale blue, soft like ocean mist, something that said “refined” and “well-bred,” not “look at me.” 

My hair was pinned up with a pearl clip, a family heirloom I inherited from my late grandmother, not a strand out of place. I looked like the perfect daughter of a wealthy businessman. Prim, proper and quiet. The daughter my father knew, exactly what they expected me to be.

My heels clicked softly on the marble floor as I was escorted through the estate’s grand hallway. The place was ridiculous, gold trims, old oil paintings, guards at every door. I’d been around money all my life, but this? This wasn’t rich. This was power. When I entered the hall, I saw him.

Ace Andreevm. The Tsar himself.

He didn’t stand up. Just sat there in the armchair like a king on a throne, fingers casually resting on the rim of a crystal glass filled with something dark. Whiskey, probably. His gaze was razor-sharp even from across the room. Cold. Heavy. Like he could tear through my thoughts with just a look.

My stomach tightened.

I lowered my gaze like a good girl, walking up slowly, the hem of my dress swaying around my legs. I stopped a few feet in front of him and gave a soft curtsy, not too deep, just enough to be respectful. Meek. Controlled.

“Mr. Andreev,” I said softly. “It’s an honor.”

His eyes didn’t blink. “You must be the younger one. Your father’s spoiled little brat. I didn’t request you, I have wanted your sister but you can do.” He said dismissively.

I almost flinched at that, but I kept my smile in place. Polite. Ladylike. Not the kind of girl who bites back.

“Yes, sir,” I replied. “I know I’m not who you were expecting. As for what my sister did to you and to offer peace between you and my family, I would like to offer myself to you as my sister’s replacement.”

That was a lie, of course. A carefully crafted one. I never wanted to be Vera’s replacement but I have to play it to make sure my parents will be safe. The irony is on me. A day ago, I should have shot this bastard to death but now, I’m standing before him, offering myself to a tiger as his prey. 

Ace leaned back slightly, swirling the liquid in his glass. “And they send you to her place. What a family.”

I didn’t answer. Just stood there with my hands folded neatly in front of me like a goddamn porcelain doll. Inside, my pulse was racing. I could feel the heat of his stare crawling over me. Judging. Testing.

And then he stood up and walked past me. I hated the way he walked. He was so arrogant, smug, always a step too sure of himself. But damn it, even I had to admit... he looked good. Annoyingly good.

His face was unfairly handsome, sharp jawline, high cheekbones, the kind of structure that sculptors probably wept over. And his eyes, those infuriating eyes, were the kind that pinned you in place without even trying, dark, unreadable, with just a hint of mischief that made you want to slap him and kiss him at the same time. 

Ridiculous.

And don’t even get me started on his body. Broad shoulders that filled out his shirt a little too well, arms that looked like they could throw someone across a room and judging by his temper, he just might. His build was strong, solid, like he’d been carved, not born. I hated the way my gaze drifted down his back when he turned, or how I noticed the pull of muscle beneath his clothes when he moved.

He wasn’t charming. He wasn’t sweet. He wasn’t even likable.

What the hell is wrong with me? Why would I admire this bastard? He’s my target. I never dismissed Valentina’s assignment and even if I wont tell her anything, she’ll know. 

For reasons that made my pride burn and my spine stiffen, I couldn't stop looking.

“Follow me in my study,” he said, which I obliged. “Sit,” he said finally, nodding toward the chair across from him when we entered the room. 

I obeyed, keeping my movements smooth and elegant. I crossed my ankles like I'd been taught. Sit up straight. Chin slightly down. Demure.

Everything about him screamed harm. If I make the wrong move, this bastard would just easily snap my neck. 

But I wasn’t.

He didn’t speak for a long moment, just studied me like a puzzle he didn’t quite trust. He was younger than I expected, maybe early thirties, but there was nothing soft about him. His presence filled the room like smoke. Dangerous. Suffocating. Beautiful in a way fire is beautiful, when you know it could destroy you.

“You look like her,” he said eventually. “But different.”

I smiled. 

“That's because we were sisters,” I murmured.

He smirked, but there was no warmth in it.

“My fiancée disappears, and suddenly her little sister shows up in her place. Tell me, zaychik, should I be suspicious?”

Zaychik. Little bunny.

My heartbeat thudded against my ribs.

“I wouldn’t blame you if you were,” I said, lifting my eyes just slightly, meeting him for a breath too long. “But you have been threatening my parents, I just wanted to help them,” I said, cautiously. 

It was a calculated risk.

And from the way his eyes narrowed, he knew it.

This game I was playing was dangerous. He was too sharp, too cold and probably too experienced to see if this is just a bait of a genuine proposal. But I’d planned for this. Every word. Every movement. I knew how to act like the innocent girl, the obedient daughter.

Ace smirked and then stood up. He then walk towards me.

“How far will you be willing to prove yourself to me as Vera’s replacement?”