Page 18 of Until Death or Defeat

“It means little nuisance.”

My fingers twitch at his answer. “Well, stop calling me that in front of people who speak Russian, that’s fucking rude.”

He doesn’t respond, only laughs to himself.

“How did you know I was even there anyway?” I ask, wondering how in the world anyone would know.

“I know everything about you.”

This little . . .

“So, what? You couldn’t let me have my last week of freedom? You did that just to prove some fucking point?”

He stills for a moment, the only sound the tires spinning on the highway and cars passing. “Would you rather it was your father’s name on the reservation?”

I suck in a breath when he asks that. It isn’t like he knows, not really. But clearly he’s trying to dig for information I’m not willing to divulge.

“It doesn’t matter whose name it’s under, you’re both controlling pricks.”

He chuckles at my comment and keeps his eyes on the road. After what felt like forever trapped in the car with him, we arrive outside of the country club.

“Oh, here,” he says, grabbing a box from the console. He tosses it on my lap, and I open it.

It’s beautiful, actually, it’s weirdly perfect. How the hell would he have chosen a ring I like? I don’t dare let my expression change, not wanting him to think I’m happy about it or like it. I take it out of the box and slip it on my ring finger.

“Good enough, I guess?” he asks with a smirk, and I turn my head to hide my face.

“Yeah, whatever.”

He parks the car at the curb, handing the key to the valet before he comes over to open the door for me. He looks down at me, extending his hand. “Ready for the show, princess?”

I roll my eyes and put my hand in his, letting him pull me up. I adjust my dress after we walk up the steps, and I can feel his eyes burning a hole into my ass.

“I didn’t think you’d actually wear the dress I sent to your room,” he says with a smug look, not even hiding his eyes raking down my body.

“Well I wish I didn’t, it’s too tight,” I say quietly as I reluctantly take his arm.

“That was the idea,” he whispers, leaning toward my ear.

Asshole.

“Smile,solnishko, you know how to, right?” I try to reign in my facial expression as we pass people we know, and I put on a fake smile.

There are some shocked expressions and whispers as we walk down the grand steps arm in arm, and I can feel my heart beating out of my chest. Everyone probably thinks I’m some sort of social climber, marrying my family’s rival just because he’s the new head of his family. It’s almost embarrassing; being shown off like a prize pig to the most qualified bachelor.

We reach the bottom of the staircase, he walks me to thetable where his brothers are seated. “If it isn’t my future sister-in-law,” Max coos with a smile as Artem and I approach.

“Max, do you have to find a way to make things even worse?” I sigh as I plop into a seat.

“What? Not used to being part of the family yet?”

I shoot him a death glare as he laughs.

“You’re exhausting,” Roman mutters to Max.

“No, brother, I’mentertaining.Someone here has to lighten the mood, especially when Mr. and Mrs. Lovebird over here look ready to kill each other.”

“Be careful Max. I might start with you,” I tease with my eyes narrowed, and he laughs.