There it is again. That promise.
Death.
I blink back tears. “The Council? As in... that board of assholes?”
He smirks. “You mean, the collective ofelectedmafia leaders. They enforce unity between criminal families. Breaking the Yellow Card terms means a death sentence.” His throat bobs as he swallows. “Not for just us. For all top Blood Masons. Me, the Underboss, Consigliere, Capos… you. The Council will send top hitmen and hunt our family.”
A sob bursts from my chest.
Dad reaches for me, then stops, like touching me might weaken him.
“My hands are tied, lil one.”
“I don’t want anyone to die,” I whisper. “But I don’t want to go with him.”
He closes his eyes, as if the truth is too painful to look at. “I know.”
The room is silent except for the shaky breaths leaving my body.
Finally, I wipe my cheeks with the back of my hand and stare at Micha.
“If I have to do this, I want one of our guards with me. Someone I trust.”
Something flickers across Micha’s face. Annoyance, then fear. He pulls out a phone, but hesitates before dialing, thumb hovering, jaw tight.
That hesitation confuses me.
He’s scared of the man I’m supposed to marry, just because I want to bring a trusted confidant. It does not seem like an unreasonable request.
He makes the call anyway.
A voice must answer because Micha straightens instantly, spine rigid.
He speaks in Russian. Short sentences, clipped and careful.
When he hangs up, he looks between me and my father.
“No,” he says.
I blink. “No? What do you meanno?”
“You cannot bring another guard.”
“Why?”
“Because you must marry him first before any requests are considered.”
Dad and I stare at him.
“Marry... first?” Dad echoes slowly.
“Before he will grant any favors,” Micha confirms.
The words sink into me like ice. Gustav must be kind of controlling. I expect some alpha behavior. It is common among men in this business. However, he better think of me as an equal, not a possession. I’m a bride-to-be who requires some degree of courting.
My throat burns as bile creeps up.
Oh God. Please let this man be decent in person.
