Page 12 of Until Death or Defeat

I shoot a half-hearted grin at his attempt to cheer me up.

“I mean, look at him, drinking himself half to death, and you haven’t even walked down the aisle yet. I can’t wait to see how he handles having you here,” he says with a toothy grin as he pushes up off the counter and stands back up straight.

“Plus, I think you’ll end up enjoying it. That’s why you andhim haven’t been able to stay away from each other all these years.”

I scoff. “Enjoy it? You’re delusional.”

He tilts his head and smirks, “Maybe, but you’re still here.”

I furrow my brows slightly as he turns and leaves the kitchen, focusing back to my makeshift snack.

I take a deep breath as I knock on the door to my father’s office. Last night felt like a nightmare, and when I woke up and realized it wasn’t just a dream, the reality of my current situation settled in.

The idea that my father went behind my back and arranged for me to marry someone in general, made me annoyed. But the idea that my father settled on someone likehimto marry me off to makes my heart drop.

I know he has no idea about the pure and unfiltered hate I have for Artem, because if he ever knew the things he and I have done in all these years to each other he would have had an aneurysm.

Our families had always been rivals, so it wasn’t strange for us to dislike or ignore each other in front of others. I’m sure many have noticed the tension, especially since he and Caesar are the same age and were destined to be rivals like our fathers.

It’s always been our little secret; the only others knowing the extent of our rivalry being our siblings, and of course Reina. I bet if Artem’s father had any idea I was the one who left that scar on his chest he’d have me killed.

“Come in,” my father’s deep voice calls, as I open the door. He sits in there with Caesar, probably going over importantthings and getting him used to the business aspect of being the head. Caesar can just see the tension written all over my face.

“Gigi? What’s wrong?”

“Why don’t you ask Dad what’s wrong?” I cross my arms over my chest as I stare my father down.

My father sighs and pinches the bridge of his nose, “How did you find out?”

I drop my arms, and my mouth goes wide. “That’s all you have to say? You carehowI found out? I wouldn’t have had to find out somewhere else if you had theballsto tell me yourself.”

The words fell out without any forethought, and I realize they were not well received when he stands up to come around the desk, but my brother stands to stop him, standing in between us.

“Can someone tell me what is going on before we all kill each other?”

“Both of you, sit the hell down!” my father bellows as he goes to sit back around to his seat behind the desk. My brother forces me down on the chair, knowing I would refuse otherwise, and then sits beside me. “Your sister is upset because I have arranged a marriage for her, although I can’t fathom why, when she’s known this was always a possibility her whole life. You don’t get to just marry whoever you’d like in this life, and you’ve never expressed anything otherwise.”

My brother’s eyes narrow but he doesn’t speak.

“Sure, I always figured it was possible, however that was when I thoughtIwould be the one to take your place.”

He sighs again trying to keep himself from raising his voice.

“I’m sick of talking in circles with you about this, Giselle. You’re the daughter of an affluent and powerful Family, you think even if you weren’t the Head, you would be able to marry whoever you’d like on a whim?”

I furrow my brows.

“I at least thought I’d have a say in the decision, and if I did have one I’d tell you I refuse to marry Artem, or any of those Sokolov bastards, for that matter.”

My father slams his hand on the desk, and my brother finally connects the dots.

“Dad, you’ve set her up with Artem Sokolov? Why would you?—”

“Don’t question me. What I’ve done is done. Alliances are more powerful than enemies. The formerpakhanwas specific in his request, and he always wanted his son to marry someone from a powerful family. I don’t see why you are complaining when he’s the newpakhannow. You will be in a great position of power, more than the one you have just being here. You’re welcome.”

I bolt up from the chair. “I’mwelcome? Are you kidding me? That man is a cruel bastard, and you’ll ship me off to their dungeon so easily? He’s the man you want to keep your daughter in bed?”

“Don’t speak to your father like that, Giselle, if I told you you’ll sleep in a man’s bed of my choosing, you will. I don’t care who they are, if they will benefit your family you should oblige.”