I won’t let her get away with this. She is not going to manipulate this situation and ruin my plans.
“Joseph, she’s playing coy to manipulate you,” I insist.
“She’s playing coy because she’s desperate to get out of the situation you’ve tossed her into!” he growls.
“A situation necessary for our alliance to go forward,” I snarl back at him.
I will have my revenge on Misha. I thought he was my friend. My best friend. And after what he did, I want to rip his world to shreds and teach him a valuable lesson about being more careful when messing with someone like me.
I don’t take kindly to being screwed over by anyone, but especially not my closest friend.
Maria shoots a heated glare in my direction. She narrows her eyes and pouts her lips. “I’m not some toy you can do whatever you want with, Artur,” she blurts out.
“This isn’t right,” Joseph grumbles. “Are you two okay with this?” he asks Benedikt and Kazimir.
Kazimir shrugs, and Benedikt’s expression remains neutral. Neither of them responds, leaving the argument between Joseph and me.
“I’m not. There have to be a hundred willing women out there who we don’t have to kidnap to go ahead with this!” Joseph snaps.
“This is the only girl I will proceed with,” I respond.
“What personal issues do you have with her?” he argues back.
“None, and if I did, it would be none of your business. Now, it’s up to you; marry her right now, or the deal is off,” I demand impatiently.
“Please, Joseph, don’t do this.” Maria has managed to spring tears to her eyes. As fake as ever. She didn’t even cry when I kidnapped her. Not that I noticed, anyway.
“Stop your fake tears,” I growl at her.
“I’m really scared,” she whimpers to Joseph.
Getting angry, I grab Joseph but the arm and pull him away from her to the corner of the room. Keep my voice low, I snarl roughly, “You need to make up your mind, Gregori. Quit fucking around and marry this girl now, with the other Pakhans, or the deal is off. No alliance. And I swear, if you walk out of here tonight, don’t ever bother coming back. I will never give you another opportunity to join an alliance with me,” I say with quiet force.
Joseph clenches his jaw, clearly fighting an internal struggle, the dilemma that splits his choices between morals and needs. Right now, I’m hoping his needs outweigh his morals. At least enough for this to go ahead.
“You should have told me about this on the phone,” he complains.
“Would it have changed a damn thing? You want what you want, Joseph. Stop pretending otherwise.”
“It isn’t right,” he whispers, glaring at Maria.
“Make up your fucking mind. I’m done going in circles,” I demand.
Joseph lets out an agitated groan, pushing his hand through his hair.
“It’s just a marriage of convenience. No one will hurt her,” he says, looking pointedly at me.
I put my hands up in the air. “No one will hurt her.”
I have to press my lips together to hide the smirk of triumph.
I’ve won. He’s already decided.
“Fine,” he huffs. “Let’s get this over with,” he says, turning his body so that he doesn’t have to see the disappointment in Maria’s face.
So, Joseph has a heart. How intriguing.
“Are you two ready? Nothing to add?” I snap sarcastically.
