I stare at my phone, the call ended screen mocking me. I laugh, shaking my head. Feisty, but it’s hot as fuck. Her rejecting me for the fifth time is very sexy.
I've never met a woman so unashamed to demand what she wants. It doesn't matter if it's money, revenge, or respect. She takes it like it's owed to her. I feel like a damn pay pig, just sitting around waiting for her to call me and ask for more.
And if she does? I'll give it. Gladly. But just as I'm enjoying the sweet, maddening thoughts of my future wife, the door to my office swings open without a knock. Only one person in this damn city has the audacity to do that.
Natalya.
My sister strolls in wearing a long black coat cinched at the waist and boots to probably crush a man's windpipe on her way home. Her dark hair is slicked back in a ponytail, and those sharp eyes sweep the room before landing on me. Natalya isn't just my sister. She's one of the deadliest people I know. Hitwoman, information broker, and a bad cook.
"Brother," she greets dryly, as if my presence is just another item on her to-do list. She does not move in for a hug and I do not expect one, because affection was never part of the way we were raised. "Natalya," I reply, leaning back in my chair. "It's been a while."
"It's been... productive," she corrects, dropping into one of the chairs across from me, her purse on the other. "I've been busy gathering intel. You know how it is." I raise a brow. "What brings you here?"
She smirks. "I heard an interesting rumor going around." Here we go. "What kind of rumor?" I ask, already annoyed.
She leans forward until her elbows touch my desk. "Something about the big boss finally falling for a lawyer."
She does not need air quotes for me to hear the mockery. "Who's spreading that nonsense?" I ask, rubbing my temple.
She shrugs. "People talk, Ilay. Especially in our circles. You know how vultures are. I also heard you bought her a car."
I don't respond, which only encourages her. "A Porsche, no less," she adds. "You don't even buy your one night fuckups a drink, let alone a six-figure car."
I look her dead in the eye, irritation already building up in my chest. "There's nothing strange about a man pursuing the woman he plans to marry."
She holds my gaze a second too long, then a soft laugh slips out. "Marry? You? I didn't realize you were doing stand-up now."
"Yes. Marry. Your misery is your own curse, so keep it off me. Ask a pastor why God keeps you single. You are nosy enough to need confession anyway."
She shakes her head, a smile playing at her lips. Wait. Let me see if I got this right. You've spent years dodging bullets, cops, and emotions, and now you're ready to... settle down? All because of a law-abiding woman? Hilarious."
I smirk. "What can I say? I'm a reformed villain."
"Reformed villain my ass," she snorts. "I'll believe it when pigs fly, and even then, I'd check twice."
"I'll get you a flying pig for your birthday," I reply coolly.
"Do it and I'll personally decapitate the thing." She narrows her eyes. "You really think you can keep a woman like that in your world?"
I lean back in my chair, picturing her beautiful face and smart attitude in my head, "No, I don't want to keep her in my world." I pause. "I want to build her a kingdom. And if mine gets in the way, I'll torch it."
Natalya studies me for a long moment before sighing. “Right. You're clearly a body double, because my real brother is trash. Where did you hide him?" I sigh.
"If I killed him, I'd send you an invitation to the funeral so you could dance on the coffin."
She rolls her eyes and sits across from me. "Now that we've established you're possibly a better replacement, tell me what you're doing about the property. We need the deed. The senator wouldn't piss on you even if you were on fire. So, what's the strategy?"
I lean back in my chair, fingers tapping against the armrest. "I have a lawyer I'm pursuing." She gives me a look. "The same lawyer you're buying cars for?"
I nod. "She takes cases. And she wins them."
"With your help," she adds.
"Yes, with my help," I say coolly. "But this time, I'll see if she's willing to take the case... on her own."
Natalya just shakes her head. "You're getting soft, brother."
• • •
