Page 14 of Forbidden Forget-Me-Not

“What my brother is so eloquently not getting across is that it’s time you announce you’re a Mikhailov. Anyone after you is banking on no one knowing or caring about some random girl’s death. So, whether it is a family member or not, the larger the spotlight on you, the harder it is to kill you. This life is a double-edged sword. In this case, you should use your last name to your advantage. Garner clout and a following, for example,” Titus explained.

“A following? I…I’m not looking to lead anything or anyone,” Ren said.

She didn’t know it yet, but that decision had been stripped away from us women the day we were conceived. She would be forced into it, no matter what. I glanced at Goran again, unable to look away. That was why I had taken my life into my hands. I refused to be Father’s prized cow for sale.

I walked over, wrapping my arm around Ren’s shoulder. “Cousin, you have five guys who already are,” I said, smiling. I looked over at Myles, Blake, Theo, Liam, and Nash as they nodded.

“My point is…I will find out for you. And I always get what I want. Just ask my wife.” Nathaniel said with a smirk.

“Ha, you’re only saying that because she’s eight-months pregnant and can’t kick your ass right now.” Titus laughed.

“And yet, I still got her to marry me and knocked her up twice, didn’t I?” Nathaniel shot back.

“You’re impossible,” Titus said, sighing at our brother’s antics.

“I’m also right,” Nathaniel said.

I missed hanging with my brothers like this, but they were always so busy with work or their own families that we rarely got together anymore.

“Okay, can we cut all the sad stuff now,” I asked. “How long are you in town? Want to go shopping or to the spa? We can eat at all the fanciest restaurants. I’ll take you to Nathaniel’s clubs and show you around. Ooh, we can go out on a party boat. What do you say?” I rambled, excited to have my cousin here for a visit that didn’t involve work.

“I vote shoppin’, and ya can count me in,” Fiona said. “I need some Ren time, so no hoggin’ her.”

“Dad? Are you coming?” Cutter called out from the top of the stairs. “Oh, do any of you speak Italian,” he asked, full of hope.

“Cutter, what did I tell you about harassing our guests?” Nathaniel scolded his son.

His little lip pushed out, but Blake came to the rescue.

“I do,” Blake said, and Cutter’s eyes sparkled as he smiled wide.

“Really? Will you sit by me?”

“Cutter…” Nathaniel started.

Blake stepped forward.

“It’s okay, I would love to. Helps me brush up on it. It’s really no bother,” Blake said to Nathaniel.

“Come on,” I said, dragging Ren away from the group. My stomach fluttered as we walked by Goran, and his eyes followed me. I had chosen Goran in a world that punished women for choosing, and I knew the bill would come due.

But not tonight.

Chapter

Five

GORAN

The Mikhailov dining hall was built to intimidate.

Long table. Heavy chairs, and too much space between people. Tonight, it was full of those who didn’t trust one another. Generations of blood and power hung on the walls. They watched silently from their portraits as Dimitri spoke like his word was law and everyone else existed only to orbit him.

I stood with the other guards, hands clasped, posture perfect. Invisible. Barely breathing.

Kaylani sat three seats down from her father, laughing at something Ren had said. Her smile was easy, open, and full of true joy. Anyone watching would think she belonged exactly where she was.

But that was because they didn’t know the real her. Yes, she loved to have fun and party. She certainly knew how to blow through her family’s money, but there was so much more to Kaylani than the stereotype.