If Henry’s working with Vasili, it means Elena was just bait. She was used by my enemy to distract me while the real spy got away.
My jaw clenches. “We need to find that bastard.”
Igor nods. “But first we need to deal with the girl. You can’t keep her as a prisoner forever.”
“I don’t plan to.” I lean back in my chair, rubbing my temple. “I plan to marry her.”
All three of them gape at me. For a moment, none of them say a word in response.
It feels like an eternity passes before Mikhail breaks the silence. “I think he’s lost his mind.”
Artem nods in agreement. “Want me to call a doctor? Whatever’s wrong with him seems serious.”
I let out an exasperated sigh. “You might want to call two, since he’ll be needing an extra pair of hands to treat the both of you if you keep questioning me. I’m damn serious.”
Artem leans in and whispers something into Mikhail’s ear. The latter shakes his head, pulls Artem closer, and mutters something in response. They’re pissing me the fuck off.
“You kidnapped her, Leo,” Igor says, his brows knitted with concern. “Are you planning on forcing her into marrying you?”
“No.” I don’t mind exploring that option if it’s the only way I can get her to wear my ring, though.
Igor throws his hands up, and there’s confusion etched on his face. “Well, I don’t see how else you’ll get her to marry you. The girl probably thinks you’re a monster.”
“It doesn’t matter what she thinks of me. She’ll be mine anyway.”
Mikhail narrows his eyes at me. “Hold on a sec. Are you in love with her?”
The room goes silent instantly, all attention on me as they anticipate my answer. I don’t hesitate.
“No.”
My hand goes up to the spot on my neck where she bit me earlier, and I push down a smile. She’s wild. Untamed. And that makes me like my little bird even more.
As a Nazarov, I can’t fall in love. But I also can’t deny the pull I feel toward her. It’s impossible to ignore.
I want to protect her from whoever tried to use her as bait. And more importantly, I want my rock shining on her finger. It’ll mark her as mine, and then I’ll have the right to kill whoever tries to touch what belongs to me.
“Jokes aside, I don’t think this is a good idea, Leo.” Mikhail’s expression is suddenly serious.
“It’s a good thing no one asked you to think, Mikhail,” I reply, keeping my tone sharp despite the burning desire to break the news to my bride-to-be.
I can already imagine her seething with rage and playing hard to get, but we both know that beneath all that rage, she throbs with desire every time we’re close to each other.
“I’m marrying her, and that’s final.”
***
“I’m not going to marry you!”
Her voice ricochets off the walls of the basement, and if looks could kill, I’d be dead from the venom in her eyes.
That’s the exact reaction I was expecting.
Folding my arms across my chest and leaning back against the wall, I watch her pace the room like a furious little storm.
Her bare feet slam against the floor, her silk robe slipping off one shoulder. Her beautiful green eyes are bright with hatred every time they land on me.
She’s beautiful, especially when she’s mad at me.
