Page 103 of Betrothed
“They’re no longer alive.”
“Were they happy together?”
The question was difficult to answer. “Things in Russia are different than in America. But yes, they were happy with each other and with what they had.”
“So not an arranged marriage.”
“Why does it sound like you’re fishing?” She shrugged in response. “No, not an arranged marriage, one that angered both sets of parents. My father didn’t come from the best family, considered a criminal to most. But he and Mother loved each other and risked angering her father by running away and getting married.”
“Wow. Did she reconcile with her parents?” she asked while resting her chin on my chest.
“No, they did not. But I was told more than once they’d make the same decision again. That’s how much they loved each other.”
“But you don’t believe in love. You think it’s a weakness.”
I pressed a kiss on the top of her head. “It is. Even now when most crime syndicates form alliances instead of starting wars, weaknesses are the number one reason empires topple.”
“Maybe so, but for most people, love brings joy even through sadness and tragedies.”
“My little dreamer.” She had no idea how love could be used as a tool of revenge. Frustration chewed on my gut, a thick layer of acid forming. Not because of what she was insinuating, but also because of what had to be done.
Being with her was dangerous. And vice versa.
“Do you remember telling me we were to be married? You were about ready to pass out. You were adamant, seething from what you’d discovered about my family.”
“I remember.” At least I could laugh. “And I meant what I said at the time.”
“Don’t worry. I won’t hold you to it.” She offered a sweet smile, her mind already going a million miles an hour. Her giggle was adorable, but full of frustration.
“Perhaps you didn’t hear me. I meant what I said, Vivian. Although I will admit things are complicated.”
“They are, but they always will be.” She sat up, peering down at me, her expression full of contemplation. “I’ve had a lot of time to think about what you said, the accusations made and at the same time to reflect on my life.” When I started to interrupt, she placed her fingers on my lips. “Let me finish.”
Smiling, I managed to kiss her fingers, which prompted another eye roll.
“Someone brought us together for a reason and I think we both know I was meant to surface as your weakness and in no time, it worked. If this is about the Ghost and his vendetta on your found family, then he’s already winning.”
“How so?”
“He’s changing how you handle your business and what you think about your personal life. I will guess his attempt altered the Pakhan’s behavior both professionally and personally. Didn’t it?”
I thought about Kazimir leaving his own home. “It did. So what do you suggest?”
“That we fight fire with fire. An old American saying. I was almost engaged once. Four years ago. Gabriel Lorenzo. Does the name ring a bell?”
I lifted my head. Hearing the information was surprising. “Italian mafia. One of the five families.”
“Evidently, although I thought he’d left the family regime. My uncle decided now would be the appropriate time to break the news. This was years ago right after I graduated from medical school. We had a whirlwind romance when I lived in North Carolina. Anyway, we got very close and he wanted to celebrate with a vacation. We arrived and everything was wonderful. He had business to handle, or so he told me. He was on his way back from some business engagement and I had feeling he was going to ask me to marry him. He was involved in a horrific accident and never made it back. The authorities tried to say he died in the crash, but he’d called me to say he was headed back. While we were on the phone, I heard the shots. He was murdered. The car went over a ravine and burst into flames. There was nothingleft to prove my suspicions. My instinct told me he’d been murdered but no one would believe me.”
“Christ.”
“My dear uncle just told me the truth, thinking I needed to know. The man I thought I’d loved had been using me. My gut had told me something was off, but I refused to follow my instincts. Is that what you’re going to do? Use me to hunt down the Ghost or to enhance your family’s wealth then toss me aside?”
Her frankness was refreshing.
And damning.
This time as I took her hand into mine, she didn’t try to pull away, allowing me to fist our fingers together and pull hers to my mouth. As I pressed kisses against her knuckles, she trembled visibly. “No, Vivian. I won’t use you for anything nor will I force you into doing anything you don’t want.”
