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Neither one of us really wants to get married here and now, but this is something that needs to happen.
And I can’t afford to let feelings get in the way, so I keep my hands to myself and plaster a look of indifference on my face.
“If you want answers, kisa, speak to your father. He’s the one who agreed to this deal.”
“Oh, believe me, I’ll be having words with my father. So, you can put this ridiculous notion that there will be a wedding today on hold until he explains what the hell is going on.”
“Don’t take too long, the wedding breakfast is being served in an hour.”
Bianca offers me one last scowl before storming past me, her shoulder brushing against my own.
My breath catches as a sweet jasmine scent hits my nose, and I have to bite back a moan at the thought of burying my face in her hair, inhaling that scent as I sink myself deep inside her?—
My brother Dimitri chuckles, slapping me on the shoulder and snapping me out of my fantasy. “She’s a handful. Sure you know what you’re doing?”
I clear my throat, shifting my weight between my feet as I watch Bianca storm back over to Emilio, her slender arms waving about as she rips into him.
“I know exactly what I’m doing.”
My youngest brother, Danil, smirks. “I don’t think I’ve ever known a woman not to throw herself at you, Alexei. How does it feel to know your soon-to-be wife rejected you straight out the bat?”
“I like a challenge.”
Mikhail laughs. “He’s dying inside.”
I roll my eyes and turn around to face all three of my brothers, shooting Mikhail, a glare.
“Can’t you all go and bother someone else?”
My brothers glance between each other and grin.
Sometimes, I hate being the oldest. It meant I had to be the one to grow up, to take over as head of the family while they got to cling to the last of their childhood innocence for a while longer.
I don’t resent them for it. It wasn’t their fault that our parents were taken from us. But I have a responsibility to them, to this family, and that’s what I have to keep reminding myself of.
The only reason I’m about to sign my life away to the daughter of a rival crime boss is because it got me the information I need to finally get my revenge. For me and for my brothers.
I have a duty to my family, no matter how irritating they are.
Mikhail glances around the busy terrace.
“Whoever organized this little get together did a good job. I’m thoroughly enjoying the open bar.” He raises a half-empty glass of scotch that I hadn’t noticed he was holding, his shirtsleeve rising slightly to show off his tattooed arm.
“It’s not even midday.” I reach for the drink.
Mikhail scoffs, rolling his eyes at me as he steps out of reach. “We’re celebrating, brother.”
I look to Dimitri for backup as the second eldest, but he only shrugs.
As I take my brothers in, it is clear that we all look similar in our dark suits.
Many of the guests here today are keeping their distance, not because they know who we truly are but because of the intimidating presence my brothers and I give off. If only they knew of the countless weapons we each have stashed on our persons on the off chance any unexpected guests decide to cause trouble…
In our line of work, you can never be too careful.
I shake my head at my brothers. “Try and stay out of trouble.”
Mikhail and Danil simply grin at one another before stalking away in the direction of the bar, leaving me alone with Dimitri.
