When she finally lifts her head, Sasha whispers, “Is he really going to cut off Sver’s hands?”
My eyes widen. I probably shouldn’t have said that. “Probably,” I answer honestly.
Win nudges Ryker. “Hurt her sister and she really will cut off your dick.”
Ryker glares at Win. “You think she’s strong enough for that?”
“I’d hold you down and help her,” Win says with a shrug.
Ryker splutters a response, but it’s drowned out, as Win’s voice booms over the family. “I’ve asked Katarina to marry me, and she’s accepted.”
Sasha gasps, “You’re going to be the next Duchess of Grandmont?”
“I am,” I wink at her. “And we’ll be sisters and sisters-in-law.”
Sasha gives me a squeeze. “I’m so happy for you.”
I hug her back. “Now just tell me, do I need to castrate your husband or no?”
“No,” she shakes her head. “I’m handling him just fine on my own.”
“That’s my girl,” I step back as the family lines up to congratulate me and Win.
I remember them all. I was engaged to Ryker, after all.
I’m not really a hugger, my sister and Win are the exceptions, but I do my best to tolerate the gushing from my future sisters-in-law.
Triston’s and Gris’s wives are both really nice and incredibly gorgeous. Tris and Gris are twins, their polished good looks fit for GQ magazine.
Next comes Killian’s wife Chloe, who is the sweetest thing ever. Crazy considering Killian, he looks like the human incarnation of the devil. Ryker has the same rough features.
But Win, he’s the best of them all. Strength, looks, magnetism. My breath catches. He’s going to be my husband…
Halfway through the congratulations, I hear the elevator, my brother Dimitri appearing in the hall. He makes his way to the front of the crowd, his eyes wild.
“Katarina,” his voice breaks halfway through my name. “Are you all right?”
“It was a scratch,” I say, waving my hand. “I’m fine.” But even I’m surprised at the look of anguish on my brother’s face. I always thought I was just another tool for him to use in his war against our father.
But perhaps, my perception of Dimitri has been colored by how distant I was with everyone. I never gave him a chance to prove otherwise…
I reach out my hand, and he takes it in his, giving my fingers a squeeze.
“Did she just call a bullet wound a scratch?” Win’s youngest brother Rush asks. “Is she serious?”
Win comes to stand at my side, his arm coming around me. “She is.”
Rush shakes his head. “She’s a female version of Win. Are we prepared for this?”
Dimitri’s brows lift but he doesn’t ask. Which is good. I’ll tell him about the wedding announcement later. For now, it’s enough that we understand each other.
But right now, we have more important things to discuss.
“I’m sure, now that we’re all assembled in Vegas, father is coming.” Win squeezes my waist. “Which side of this equation is Sver falling on?”
“Unclear,” Sasha answers. “He says he’s been acting to protect us all along and then he nearly shot Killian.”
“I think that means we have to assume he’s our enemy,” I say, reaching for Sasha’s hand, so that I’m holding onto both of my siblings. I wasn’t attempting to bond us together. I just know that hearing this about Sver will be difficult for her. She’s got a much more tender heart than me.
