The feel of her pert arse and the very recent memory of squeezing it as she came on my thigh makes me groan internally. If I step out of this position with a stonner, fecking Roman will never let me live it down. “We canna help it,Luaith Bheag.Ye know that in our world, life is short.”
“It’s just hard to believe that it was only last night that you dragged me into The Witchery and forced me to marry you,” she says, smiling sweetly for the camera.
“And it’s hard to believe that ye were calling out for a higher power, rubbing against my leg only this very morning.” Her instant blush is very flattering for the camera lens, I’m sure.
“Scarlett, would you join me for civilized afternoon tea while this lot has their meeting?”
Aunt Mala - Uncle Cormac’s wife - is one of the sweetest of my aunties, and she always seems to know when to step in. She’s waiting after the photoshoot to rescue my wife. Scarlett hesitates, looking at me.
“If there’s any news about the Step Arseholes, we’ll talk after the meeting, aye?” I murmur, leaning closer. “Aunt Mala’s grand. She’ll make ye comfortable.”
“Okay.” She puts on a brave smile for me as Aunt Mala leads her away.
“She’s gorgeous,” Roman says as we settle in Uncle Cormac’s office. Uncle Dougal - Kai and Logan’s Da - is there as well. “How did you trick her into marryingyou?”
“Some of us rely on charm and sincerity,” I take the most comfortable chair before he can get to it.
He bursts into raucous laughter while my disloyal uncles hide their grins behind their drinks.
“Dmitri, as the onlyresponsibleMorozov here,” Uncle Cormac says, “tell us what’s happening.”
He’s the first-born son of Maksim Morozov, Pakhan of one of the most powerful Russian Bratvas with bases in St. Petersburg and New York City. Dmitri’s stern, and serious, which is in keeping with being next in line as Pakhan. He looks more like his mother Ella, with black hair and pale green eyes. She’s a doctor who spends an endless amount of time patching up their soldiers.
“We’ve heard from two of our major clients that Kholodov approached them, claiming he can bring in their cargo for half the price through his new supply lines in Boston,” Dmitri says, nursing his drink. “We know the Banners are too inept to be brokering this deal. But they do have some excellent port and transportation routes, thanks to their cannabis business, even if they don’t have the money to be using the routes properly.”
“Kholodov is starting his reign as Pakhan by trying to undercut the most powerful Bratva inNew York City?” Uncle Dougal shakes his head. “His Bratva dinnae even have a presence there.”
“One of our clients said he was very aggressive about the deal, claiming he had a new transportation system already underway,” Roman adds. “He seems confident about this alliance with the Banner Syndicate.”
“There seems to be one small snag,” Dmitri grins at me. “Bratva alliance marriages are taken very seriously, and yet you seem to have already tied the knot with his intended.”
“Unless he’s planning on marrying Marlena, there’s no Banner bride available,” I say.
“What’s the likelihood that he’ll swallow defeat and scuttle away?” Uncle Cormac asks.
“We’ll have to see how he responds to this news,” Dmitri says. “He’ll throw a mighty tantrum, the spoiled littlesvoloch',the bastard. He’s unstable, but I can’t see him chancing the combined wrath of the MacTavish and Taylor Mafias.”
Dmitri smiles slyly, andnowI see the face of the future Morozov Pakhan. “I am certain my father would wish me to give you his congratulations and wishes for a long and happy marriage. And should you happen to straighten out the issue with those fools who are currently running her late father’s syndicate into the ground, he would be delighted to work with you when Wallace andScarlett reclaim the family business.”
My expression is neutral, but his assumption set me back. I dinnae more or less kidnap Scarlett and marry her to take control of the Banner Syndicate. My gut tightens the way it always does when I think of my father’s expectation that I’ll be taking over as head of our family’s mafia soon.
Shooting out of my seat, I force myself to stay calm. “There’s an investigation already underway into her father’s death, but I’m not thinking we’re in a place to be making assumptions just now, aye?”
“Of course,” Dmitri nods politely. “Just know that as allies, we’re always happy to help- what’s the phrase, Roman?”
“Take out the trash,” Roman adds helpfully. “It’s a specialty of mine.”
“Perhaps we can all meet again for dinner,” Uncle Cormac steps in. “Wallace, I’m sure ye want to collect your bride before my wife tells her all the family secrets.”
“Aye, of course,” I say, already halfway out the door. “Let me know the plan.”
I just want to get out of that room and the weight of even more fecking expectations.
The night before…
Rotating my shoulders, I hit the man with my left fist, giving my right one a break.
“You’re really taking a beating for Kyle and Marlena Banner? Otto, they would give ye up quicker than yer Madrops her knickers.”
