Page 91 of Married to My Sis’s Bratva Fiancé

"I can't." I lifted the contract. "Kiryan paid two million. The penalty is based on the sale price. I can't pay it."

"I'll pay it."

"No."

He frowned. "This isn't the time to be proud."

I softened my voice, but I didn't budge. "You already helped me enough. Let me handle it this time."

Yegor looked at me, then at Kiryan, then finally grabbed his jacket. "Call me when it's over. Two hours."

"I will."

The rooftop restaurant Kiryan had picked sat on the top floor of a Manhattan high-rise.

The car waited at a side entrance. Kiryan didn't touch me. He only held the door, then slid in on the other side.

That restraint made me more uneasy than force ever had. He used to hook an arm around my waist and tell me what to do. Now he left space—but his presence still crushed the air in the car.

The window reflected the bruise on his cheekbone.

"Does it hurt?"

The second it left my mouth, I regretted it.

His eyes caught mine through the reflection. "You're worried about me?"

"I am checking whether Yegor scrambled your brain."

"If it is scrambled, will you take responsibility?"

"I'll have Olga drive you to the hospital."

"She'd probably punch the other side first."

My mouth almost twitched. I crushed it down.

Kiryan saw it anyway. His gaze settled on my lips, hotter than a touch.

The window-side area on the top floor had been blocked off. One long table. Two place settings. The city lights spread out beneath us.

"I start the clock now." I set my phone on the table. "Two hours."

Kiryan sat across from me. "You can leave whenever you want."

"And pay the penalty?"

"I'll handle it."

"I don't need you to handle it."

A server brought menus. Kiryan waved off the wine list and ordered a few lighter dishes.

"Tonight is on me," he said suddenly. "And everything before this too. But I need this chance."

The air froze for a beat.

He rested his hands on the table, not crossing the space between us. Big knuckles, scraped and bloody. The tattoo at his wrist disappeared into his cuff.