He’s not a kid anymore.
And I’m not the only one capable of drawing a line.
37
Bella
It’s just past 4:08 p.m.
Which means it’s been exactlythree hourssince my teenage brother decided to emotionally blackmail me into introducing him to my possibly murderous fake husband.
Now I’m in the Aston, barreling up the Pacific Coast Highway with a mild heart attack and a latte I forgot to finish sloshing in the cupholder.
What the fuck should I do.
I grip the wheel tighter.
Konstantin is not someone you just… introduce.
He’s not a“hey, this is my husband; he likes his steak rare and doesn’t kill people unless absolutely necessary”kind of man. He’s a limited-access, password-protected, high-security, do-not-disturb folder of a human being.
And now Julian wants a face-to-face.
With my temporary husband.
Who happens to run an empire and looks like he personally owns the word “danger” in six languages.
I’m going to die.
I hit a bump, and the car purrs like itenjoyedit. Of course it does. This car doesn’t have empathy. It has horsepower and secrets.
I should be practicing what to say to Konstantin.
“Hey, babe, funny thing… Remember how we said this marriage was just for optics and we’d keep things clean and strategic? Well—small change in plans! My brother threatened to drop out of elite school unless he gets a sit-down with his new brother-in-law. Surprise!”
I am absolutely not ready for this.
I run a hand through my hair, already cursing the curls that’ve frizzed at the temples like they sense my stress.
And then—like divine intervention wrapped in chaos—
My phone rings.
ELENA.
Caller ID:[Fire emoji] Babe Hot Chick [Fire emoji]
I answer on speaker like it’s a lifeline. “Please tell me you brought Japanese snacks and emotional stability.”
“Surprise, girl! Your bitch is back!” Elena practically screams into the line.
I let out a sound that’s somewhere between a laugh and a sob. “Oh, my God.”
“I landed an hour ago. Jet-lagged, mildly hungover, and horny—but I’m home.”
“You’re a national treasure.”
“Damn right, I am. Where are you? Are we drinking tonight or burying bodies?”
