He snorts under his breath. “Where are you heading?” he asks. He keeps his voice low, careful not to arouse suspicion from the men in the office just a few feet away.
While I wasn’t eavesdropping, it wouldn’t have been difficult to do if I hadn’t been caught. “To the library,” I say.
I don’t have a destination in mind. I just want out of my room. I’d been cooped up already for too long and want to feel like I’m home, like nothing’s changed and everything is all right.
Except it isn’t.
Everything has changed.
Mikhail has discovered that I’m a liar.
The twins’ father isn’t a military hero fighting overseas, and I have no intention of marrying him. Not that I believe Mikhail would want me to wed Antonio, he’d probably have me executed before he’d allow me to marry an Italian Mafia leader.
“Mikhail is looking for a reason to punish you, don’t give him one,” Luka warns.
I hate that he isn’t wrong. “You mean locking me up in my room isn’t punishment enough?” I exhale a heavy breath, and he grabs my arm, yanking me quickly past the open office with the Russian soldiers inside.
Mikhail is hosting a meeting, but I don’t know what they’re droning on about, probably trying to get even with Antonio.
Will it ever end?
“Don’t test your brother’s patience,” Luka warns. He whisks me into the library and closes the door behind us.
There’s enough light from the windows pouring into the library that I don’t bother to turn on a lamp or the overhead switch.
“I didn’t tell Antonio anything about the family,” I say and fold my arms across my chest.
Luka glances me over from head to toe. “If you had, Mikhail would have had you killed.”
My mouth is dry, and I press my lips tight. “Someone wants me dead. Yuri was part of the operation, trying to sell my children.” I step closer toward Luka. “Tell me what you know.”
His shoulders relax, and while I’m tense, he doesn’t convey the slightest bit of fear or anxiety. “I’m not surprised. You’ve pissed off many people. Your brother suggested that we wed when you return home.”
“What?” I laugh at the absurdity of his suggestion. “No way. He wouldn’t do that to you or me.”
“He wants you out of his hair and out of trouble, away from Antonio.”
I’m not marrying Antonio. Don’t they realize that just because we shared one passionate night and two children, I’m not tied to the man?
“He wouldn’t ask one of his men to marry me,” I say, not wanting to believe it.
“It’s been brought up a few times by your brother since you left and he discovered the children’s father is an Italian.”
“It’s stupid how much the Russians hate the Italians!” I groan and stomp away from Luka, staring out the window. “I’m not marrying you.”
“Yeah, I never thought you’d go along with it,” he says. There’s a hint of humor in his tone, like he’s pleased that I don’t bow down to the whims of my older brother. “But Mikhail doesn’t exactly accept the word no for an answer.”
Tell me something that I don’t know. “Well, he can’t force me to marry a man I don’t love.”
“He can,” Luka says, staring at me disapprovingly. “You know he can force you to do anything that he wants, and if you disobey him, it gives him greater pleasure.”
I grumble under my breath, “Mikhail is a sadistic asshole.”
“You’re not wrong,” he whispers, making sure that no one can overhear us. There’s a slight smirk on his face.
Although I don’t imagine anyone is listening and the door to the library is shut. “But?” I’m waiting for him to stand up for his boss.
“He is your brother and wants you to be protected and your children to grow up with a father.”