His face took on a thunderous expression. “What do you mean, you’re in love?”
“I’ve met the love of my life.”
Grisha started sputtering. “Who is this man?”
She had taken my advice and was now so devoid of emotion she sounded like a robot. “He’s one of yours. And we’re serious about each other. We’ve talked about the future. And you should know that I’ll fight to the death if you try and separate us. It won’t be good for your business if you try and stop us.”
His eyes widened. “Who do I have to kill now?”
She looked over at me, and her entire face softened into something so gentle and feminine she almost didn’t look like the same person. “I’m in love with Axel. And I wasn’t running away. I just needed some time alone with him. I knew he’d find me.”
Holy shit.I stared back at her. “What are you doing?”
Her expression was shy while she laid it on thick. “I know you said we shouldn’t tell anyone, but I can’t marry Sergei and move to Canada without you.”
This girl was going to get me murdered. I was surprised that Grisha hadn’t already put a bullet in my head.
Grisha looked like he was about to have a stroke, and his voice was strangled with emotion. “How long has this been going on?”
“It hasn’t,” I countered. “There is nothing going on, sir.”
She talked over me. “Axel’s the only one who makes me happy.”
“Sir,” I tried to speak again.
“Shut your mouth.” He pointed at me with growing rage.
“Don’t be mad,” she pleaded with him. “He fought our attraction with everything he had, but in the end it was too difficult for either of us to resist.”
Grisha was gripping the back of his chair so tight his knuckles were white. “You took advantage of my niece? And you think I’m not going to kill you?”
Fuck my life.
Mila protested. “Uncle, no! We haven’t even kissed yet.” She clasped her hands to her chest. “This affair is purely emotional. He told me he couldn’t touch me until he had your blessing.”
I watched as tension leaked out of Grisha.
She had probably just saved my life. But I knew his rage wasn’t about her chastity. No, he was angry because he didn’t like losing control over something he thought belonged to him.
“I have never touched your niece,” I said honestly.
Grisha shook his head, but I think he believed us. “Mila, would you please excuse us? I’d like to talk to Axel alone.”
CHAPTER THREE
MILA
The last timeI’d seen my uncle look so upset was during my father’s funeral.
“You’re angry.” I lowered my eyes. My mind raced to sell the lie I was making up on the spot. “I thought you’d be happy for me. Axel is a good man.”
A long silence hung between the three of us.
My uncle’s voice was strained, and he was avoiding eye contact. “Please give us a moment, Mila.”
As I moved to cross the room, I glanced up at Axel. His gaze nearly incinerated me.
I lifted my chin defiantly. He deserved what he got after dragging me back to a horrifying fate. I would have escaped if he hadn’t interfered.
