“Because it’s clear someone hurt her, and I want to know if they’re still alive so I can end their life.”
Dominick barks out a humorless laugh. “No, he’s not alive. Brielle killed him.”
I can’t help the smile that spreads across my face. Brielle is such a fucking contradiction. I wasn’t supposed to want her, yet I can’t stop. She wasn’t supposed to be anything more than revenge, yet I find myself wanting more.
“My sister’s been through a lot,” Dominick says, snapping me out of my thoughts. “You wanted in on the expansion, you got it. You wanted the contacts that came along with it, and you have them. You don’t have to take her too.”
He’s right—I don’t need her. But fuck if I don’t want her.
And the fact that marrying her aligns with my plan to avenge my father’s death only makes it that much sweeter.
“The deal was that the three families are united by marriage and produce heirs,” I remind him—and myself. “And that’s what’s going to happen.”
“Dom,” a woman says, poking her head out the door. “Is everything—oh. Hello,” she says, stepping out and going to Dominick’s side. “We haven’t formally met yet. I’m Peyton, Dom’s wife.” She extends her hand, and I don’t miss the way Dominick grinds his jaw at the thought of his wife shaking hands with me. “And you’re the asshole who’s forcing my sister-in-law to marry you.”
I chuckle and nod. “That’s me.”
“She’ll never love you,” Peyton says matter-of-factly.
“Good thing I’m not looking for love,” I tell her.
Which is the truth. Love is a wasted emotion. It causes men likeDominick and my father to make shitty choices. I base my decisions on logic, data, and facts.
Yet you’re forcing Brielle to marry you.
I shove the thought to the side.
I’m doing what my dad would’ve wanted.
What’s best for the future of the company.
And Brielle is nothing more than a pawn in this game of chess.
The Antonovs and Russos made their moves.
And I made mine.
Check-fucking-mate.
10
Brielle
“One more breath here.Good. Let’s reach up and over. A nice stretch here. Good. Exhale. Now switch sides.” The Pilates instructor lowers her left arm and then swings her right arm up.
“Oh my God, it feels like I’m going to stretch this baby right out of my uterus,” Dani murmurs, making me laugh.
Several of the women in the class glare our way, but I just glare back, making them look away. With my family’s reputation, all it takes is one look for them to go running in fear for their life.
“Well, at least if you do go into labor, you’re full-term,” I point out.
She started going to Pilates with me a few months ago when she mentioned her body feeling stiff from the pregnancy. Since she’s a newbie, when we go together, we go to the beginner class so it’s safe for her.
Unfortunately, this is also the class all the pregnant women in Harbor Point seem to go to. Being surrounded by happy, pregnant women isn’t easy, but I always thought that maybe, one day, this would be me. Now, I’m not so sure anymore.
“Yeah, but the doctor said she’s on the smaller side, so she’d like for her to bake as long as possible.” Dani rubs her belly, and I can’t help the envy I feel toward her.
She has it all. The loving husband, a precious little girl on the way. She works for her family’s real estate development company alongside her brother who values her thoughts and opinions.
