“My brother is not thrilled at the news that you are carrying another man’s child,” Kirill explains. “Even when he is told that the child is mine, I very much doubt that he will go through with the wedding.”
Though I completely understand, it doesn’t stop the sense of shame flooding through me.
“The alliance,” I say, my voice suddenly raspy, “It means a great deal to my family. Please, do not stop it. I don’t want-”
“No,” Kirill says sharply, not allowing me to finish. “Both of our families need this. Therewillbe an alliance. And a wedding. Given the circumstances, it is only right that I marry you.”
A mixture of relief and fear hit me so viciously that it makes me dizzy. It's one thing to marry a member of the Paglovich family, but to marry the head of the family himself? I suddenly envision the potential of juggling my life and the life dedicated to my family fade. My art. My dreams. My choices. It all suddenly feelsforfeited to the singular role I’d be forced to fill as thePakhan’swife.
“I’m not thrilled about this either, you know.”
The hostility in Kirill’s voice has my gaze jerking up to him, and I suddenly realize how sad I must look. I try to fix my expression, to apologize, but Kirill stops me.
“We will do what needs to be done,” he states, his tone harsh. “My man will send you the funds necessary to buy another dress. Unfortunately the one today had to be cut off of you. Even if it hadn’t, I wouldn’t want to marry you in a dress that was meant for my brother. So get a new one, and you and I will have our ceremony by the end of the month.”
His words are as cutting as his tone, and with my options now more limited than ever, I bow my head, hoping to hide my tears, and nod. Without another word, I hear Kirill’s footsteps disappear down the hall.
Chapter Ten
Kirill
“Pakhan,”Yulian stammers, his eyes wide with disbelief. “You…I…no. No, I cannot allow that to happen. It would ruin my daughter’s reputation!”
I've just broken the news of the change of plans- or rather, change of grooms- to Yulian, and as I expected, the man is opposed to the idea. I know Yulian is right. That the change would certainly cause gossip, but what’s the alternative? Have no wedding at all? Have my own child grow up fatherless? No I will not,cannotallow that.
“This is happening, Yulian,” I state firmly. “You saw how my brother reacted to the news of Annika’s pregnancy. Even if I commanded him to go through with the wedding, would you truly want your daughter married to a man who would despise her for the rest of his life?”
Yulian shakes his head, looking as if he’s about to fall apart.
“But a marriage to you…Sir…it would be putting Annika in a direct line of danger far greater than the wrath of your brother,” Yulian argues. “You have enemies everywhere, Annika would become the greatest target.”
I can’t disagree with that. It's true. With Annika becoming my wife, my enemies would immediately see her as a way to retribution. Which is why I’ve already decided to keep her- and our child- protected at all times.
“There won’t be a single moment where your daughter and grandchild aren’t protected,” I promise. “I have the city’s most highly regarded bodyguards under my command.”
“You can’t promise me that,” Yulian argues, shaking his head. “No, even for the sake of an alliance, this is too dangerous. I am sorry,Pakhan,but I cannot grant this request.”
Yulian turns to go to Annika’s room, but I grab his shoulder and spin him around, my temper flaring toward anger. I do not take being told no lightly. Especially on matters such as this.
“The child is mine,” I confess, my tone low and gruff. “I am not walking away from it and I am certainly not going to walk away from the mother either. This weddingishappening, Yulian, and when my child is born, he or she will be raised by their true parents.”
Yulian’s furrowed brows shoot straight up for a second, then his face sets in a mask of pure anger.
“You? You did this to my daughter?! Tell me how this happened!”
This time I keep my temper in check. I can’t blame the man for getting upset. Even in the span of just the last few hours, Yulian has made it clear how much Annika means to him. Perhaps he even favors her over Valya.
“I’m not going to go into details,” I reply, keeping my tone calm. “It was consensual and that is all anyone ever needs to know. But Yulian? Sheismarrying me. Whether it seals our alliance or starts a war, that is up to you. But she will be my wife.”
Anger, fear, and sadness all flicker through the older man’s face, but finally submission shines through, and as Yulian’s shoulders slump, he bows.
“Yes,Pakhan,”he says, his tone full of defeat. “We will have our alliance. Just please, I beg you, watch over my daughter. You have no idea how much she means to me.”
Relieved that the matter is settled, I nod.
“You have my word,” I swear. “Now go. See her, hold her. Tell her everything will be alright, but donotquestion her. Stress is bad for her and the baby.”
I leave Yulian in the hall and head toward the exit of the hospital, not at all surprised when I find Edik and the town car waiting for me right outside.
