Betrayed

By Sofia A Bennett

Dasha seemingly had it all; working for her father's business empire, a fierce and loyal sister, and a romance she could only ever dream of. But not everything is as it seems. Dasha will soon learn that she can trust no-one, and that betrayal is around every corner. She must fight for love, and what is right, even if it is not what her father expec

• Language: English
• Publisher: no business name
• Release date: Feb 6, 2021
• ISBN: 9780646832074

Sofia A Bennett

About S.A. Bennett S.A. Bennett was born in Russia. Since the age of six, she has called Australia home, raised and loved by her adopted family. She lives in Victoria, Australia.

Book preview

1

The Ivanov family were throwing a huge party at their mansion on Kensington Palace Gardens, London. They were celebrating a great business deal. The family invited about 100 guests, the dress code was black and white. As the guests arrived, they had to pass security at the tall, black and golden gates. The security guards checked for weapons and I.D. The guests then drove down a long driveway, which had chequered grass tiles. They walked towards the mansion.

The mansion was like something out of a fairy-tale. From the outside it was big and fancy. It was two and a half stories high and absolutely beautiful. The house was built of stone with lights shining on it, making it look more beautiful than in the daytime. The guests walked on a red carpet to enter the mansion.

Inside the beautiful mansion there was a sweeping staircase on both of the sides of the entrance that led to a balcony to bedrooms and the rest of the living quarters.

Dasha Ivanov stood at the top of the balcony looking down, watching everyone enter the ballroom. The ballroom was to the left of the staircase. She saw all her father’s business investors and their families. Most of her father’s business co-workers had been at the house but there were still a couple of people who hadn't been invited to one of their parties before. They looked around in wonder at the mansion.

Dasha knew shortly that her father would come looking for her. She went back to her room to check on her dress, hair and makeup. Her appearance was immaculate for the party. Dasha’s tanned, olive skin made the white dress look even whiter. The dress was off her shoulders coming together with a love heart neckline. It had a split on the left side to the thigh, so it was figure hugging. Dasha’s short naturally straight blonde hair was curled, half pulled back with a diamond studded hair comb. Her makeup was a simple winged eyeliner and bold red lips.

You look beautiful, Dasha. She turned to see her father, Nikoli, standing in her bedroom doorway. He was the boss of the mafia in England. Nikoli ran drugs throughout England and around the world. Once Nikoli Ivanov was the mafia boss in Russia before everything went to hell. Someone in the business ratted out Nikoli and his whole family to the police and they had to choose to either be killed or to flee Russia and never come back. Dasha was ten years old and Nadia, her sister, was eight years old at the time. Her father made them a home in England and started his business again. It only took five years to get back what he lost in Russia.

Ready to go down? he asked, putting an arm out for her. She turned back to the mirror to look for the last time.

Down in the ballroom, everyone turned to see her enter. Dasha took a deep breath and smiled. Walking into the ballroom full of guests felt like walking into a lion’s den at feeding time. Dasha couldn’t help but feel she was being served up on a platter for others to devour.

Everyone wanted to know everything about her and have a piece of what she has. Dasha kept everyone who worked for her father, an arm's length away.

The ballroom was set up with tables down one side of the room. The other side of the room was for dancing. The lights around the room were set to a medium setting to make it a soft light. The walls have full length windows and doors from the ceiling to the floor. The doors were open to let in the warm breeze.

Dasha looked around for her sister Nadia. She saw her talking to a girl who looked the same age as her. Dasha didn’t know the girl but guessed it was someone’s child who worked for her father. They were at the bar. Nadia’s long wavy blonde hair was falling down her back. Her black dress made her hair stand out.

Dasha walked towards Nadia and the girl when she saw Thomas Hill out of her peripheral vision. Thomas walked in and headed straight to Dasha’s father. She turned to see Thomas embracing Nikoli like they were old friends. They were talking really closely. Dasha needed to know what was happening. She walked straight up to them. Thomas saw her first approaching and then left Nikoli’s side.

Father why is he here? she said with a hushed tone. He is here to talk business with me sweetie, he said normally, so everyone could hear if they were listening. Dasha looked back to the bar but Nadia wasn’t there any longer. Dasha walked over to the food table and grabbed a mini pie.

She saw Nikoli walking to one end of the ballroom, where some couples were dancing. Everyone, can I have your attention please? he said. Everyone stopped and walked towards him.

This party is not just for the great business deal I got; it is also for an engagement that will help my business a lot. Dasha, can you come up here please? Her heart dropped. Dasha put the mini pie down after only taking one bite out of it. She walked through the crowd slowly towards her father. She plastered a smile on her face. Dasha didn’t know what was going on.

She reached his side and stood rigidly, straight as a rod with her fake smile to everyone in the room. Her hands were clasped in front of her tightly. My Dasha is going to help my business by getting married to…Thomas Hill.

Everyone in the ballroom clapped, smiled and started murmuring to each other. Instead of clapping, Dasha turned her head towards her father and widened her eyes in surprise. He didn’t turn her way. Nikoli just clapped and smiled at everyone else in the room. A billion questions ran through her head.

While Dasha had her head turned towards her father, she didn’t see Thomas Hill standing there asking for a dance.

Miss Dasha Ivanov, could I please have this dance? Thomas asked. She turned back to the room and looked at Thomas.

Sure, Dasha said, taking his hand, while he led her to the dance floor. As soon as they got on the dance floor the musicians started playing. He swept her across the floor. Thomas Hill was an attractive older man, but