How she disappeared after allegedly displeasing him, her body never found.
"I can handle myself," I insist, though fear gnaws at my insides. "This is our best option."
Alessandro nods curtly before summoning Maksim back into the room.
The Russian's smug expression when he enters tells me he never doubted the outcome.
"We accept your proposal," Alessandro states, his voice devoid of emotion. "With conditions."
Maksim raises an eyebrow. "I'm listening."
"My sister will have her own security detail. The wedding will take place in three months, not before. And she retains her Dante name, hyphenated with yours."
"One month," Maksim counters. "I'm not a patient man."
"Two months," Alessandro replies. "And we want a formal ceremony. Something to demonstrate to everyone that this is a genuine alliance."
Maksim's cold eyes find mine. "Agreed. Though I hardly think your sister needs bodyguards. My men are quite capable of protection."
"It's non-negotiable," Alessandro says flatly.
"As you wish." Maksim extends his hand. "We have an agreement, then."
As they shake on it, sealing my fate, I feel cold and empty.
My brothers' faces blur as I wonder if I've just signed my death warrant.
When Maksim and his men leave, I sink down into a chair wondering if this is really happening.
Alessandro moves to the crystal decanter on the bar in his conference room, pouring two fingers of whiskey. "You made a brave choice." He offers me the glass.
I accept it but don't drink. I just stare at the amber liquid as if it can reveal a way out of this situation. "Brave? Or stupid?"
"Both, perhaps." My brother's face softens. "But necessary."
“It’s stupid,” Adriano grumbles. “Did you see how he looked at her? Like a fucking hunter eyeing his prey.”
“He won’t hurt her.” Alessandro refills his own drink and downs it.
“You can’t possibly believe that,” Adriano says. “I’m starting to like Luca’s plan. Let’s just exterminate them all.”
But we know that’s not an option.
I take a swallow of my drink, wishing the burn could erase the reality of my life.
“I’ll assign Cristian to your primary security. He’s the best we’ve got,” Alessandro says.
"And if Maksim kills her anyway? What then?" Adriano demands.
"That won't happen." Alessandro's certainty would be comforting if I hadn't seen the bodies of those who crossed the Bratva. “They’re wary of us. Of Luca especially. They won’t want to cross him again anytime soon.”
“Luca is going back to Chicago,” Adriano argues.
“It’s a short distance.” Alessandro rolls his shoulders. “We’ll delay as much as possible. Perhaps we can find an alternative.”
But we all know there isn’t any. This is the sacrifice the family needs.
"I keep thinking about his last wife. How she just disappeared."
