He used to make me pancakes years ago before our father died, but it feels like it was a lifetime ago.
“When was the last time you made pancakes?”
He shrugs. “I honestly couldn’t say. It was so many years ago.”
I nod in reply. “Do you love Sienna?”
He looks up then as if startled, eyes wide. “Always were blunt with your questions, weren’t you?”
I smile. “Best to get to the point. I hate people who skate around the issue.”
“True.” He sighs and sets down his whisk, grabbing the pan and putting it on the heat. “Of course. I wouldn’t marry her otherwise.”
It makes me happy to hear, even though Mikhail always swore off love. I think he became even more averse to it after he saw how my mom handled our father’s death. It ruined her.
He swallows hard and pins me with a gaze I don’t like. “The truth is, Nat, I’ve arranged your marriage to another boy. Someone you might know, actually.”
My stomach dips and I wonder why he thinks he could get away with it so soon after being blackmailed. “What about the information about our grandfather?”
He shrugs. “I figured it was someone who wants to stop that specific alliance. I’ve entered into an agreement with the Krushev Bratva for you and Nikolai to marry.”
Nikolai Krushev.
My stomach churns with sickness as, although he’s an attractive boy, the idea of sleeping with him makes me sick. He’s cruel and vindictive, much like Elias.
Sadness spreads through my veins as I laugh humorlessly. “So you get to marry for love? But with me, it’s about the most favorable deal that can be made?” I shake my head. “I don’t know why I ever believed my fate would be any different from my friends.”
“I’m sorry, Nat. I hadn’t intended it this way, but the men have made it clear they won’t follow a woman.” His jaw clenches as I know deep down this isn’t really what he wants. “If I had it my way, you’d be leading this alone and waiting for the love of your life to appear at your door, like I have.”
He flips the pancakes onto a plate and pours more mixture into the pan, cooking them. I’d been so distracted by the news, I hardly noticed him cooking the first batch.
Elias didn’t like Mikhail arranging my marriage to the Philly Bratva heir, but Nik Krushev will be far worse. It will be like a personal attack, and I know he won’t like it. Yet another problem to deal with.
Mikhail pushes a plate of pancakes over to me and a bottle of maple syrup. I drizzle loads on top and dig in, trying to drown my worries in syrup.
“Let’s not speak of this anymore. It’s not for a while, anyway.” He gives me a smile, but it doesn’t reach his eyes.
“Right. I’m here to celebrate with you, not mope about being forced to marry Nik Krushev.”
“There will be no forcing, Nat. If you really don’t want to marry him, we can find someone else.”
I know Mikhail means well, but my options are limited amongst Russians, and that makes my chest ache. Probably because deep down, I long for a Mexican cartel member who has managed to sink his claws into me so deeply, I don’t know how to get them out.
29
ELIAS
Announcing that I was handing over the crown to Finn as the king of the academy during breakfast went down about as well as I expected. Most people either laughed as if it were a joke or started complaining once they realized it wasn’t.
I was surprised not to see Natalya in the cafeteria, but she doesn’t always eat in the morning. So I text her. She’s still yet to reply, but I thought she might have wanted to witness this.
My crown is what I’ve always valued most and yet here I am, giving it up for the girl I’ve bullied since I arrived here. Finn scans over the document I had my uncle’s lawyer draw up for me yesterday. It’s ironclad and once he signs it, he can never speak a word of what he read in those files.
Finn glances up at me. “How do I know you will pay me?”
I shake my head. “Check your account. It’s already paid.”
His brow furrows as he pulls out his cell phone and logs onto his banking, smirking when he sees the balance. “Fine.” He scribbles his signature in the three spaces on the document and then turns to me. “Consider what I read forgotten.” He holds out a hand to shake, but I don’t take it, because this guy has no honor.