"We don't need an alliance with you," I interject, unable to hold my tongue.
Alessandro doesn't reprimand me.
Unlike most families in our world, my brother has valued my input and allowed me to be a part of the business.
"Your sister has fire." Maksim's smile is lecherous. "I like that."
Adriano shifts in his seat, and I know he's thinking about just ending this meeting with a bullet.
Luca would have already done it.
"I'm curious what you think would satisfy both our interests," Alessandro says, ignoring both my and Maksim’s comments.
“Your people stay clear of the east side gambling operations,” Maksim says.
My brothers exchange glances.
They’ve been expanding their gambling business, but it’s been mostly online.
"Agreed. But we want territory lines redrawn at the river," Alessandro adds. "You'll receive twenty percent of our import revenue through the docks for the next three years."
Maksim nods, fingers steepled beneath his chin. “Fine.”
Alessandro reaches for his glass of whiskey. "We'll have contracts drawn up by week's end."
"There is one more condition." Maksim's voice gains a predatory edge.
Alessandro sets his glass down. "What else remains?"
Maksim's cold blue eyes lock onto mine. "Insurance."
I shift in my seat, although I’m not sure why.
"Your sister's hand in marriage." He delivers the demand without emotion, like I’m an object for bartering. "A binding alliance between our families. To ensure neither side is tempted to break our agreement."
I’m unable to keep from gaping as I look at Alessandro. Surely, he won’t approve of this.
"Absolutely not," Adriano growls, shifting forward.
"I refuse to be a pawn!" The words burst from me. "I am not a bargaining chip to be traded away."
Alessandro remains silent.
This terrifies me more than if he'd immediately refused.
Maksim's lips curl upward, but I won’t call it a smile. His gaze crawls over my body. "Such spirit. I expected nothing less from Lorenzo Dante's daughter."
He looks at me as if I’m a wild thing to be broken. I've heard rumors about what happens to women around Maksim. How they disappear if they displease him.
"She would make a suitable bride." Maksim tilts his head, studying me. "And perhaps she might even enjoy being queen of the Bratva, once she's properly… adjusted."
A chill slides up my spine.
He doesn't want a subservient wife.
He wants the satisfaction of breaking someone who fights back.
"Alessandro," I whisper, turning to my brother, silently pleading.
