Page 14 of The Pakhan’s Accidental Bride

She turns and looks at me, her mouth turning down in a frown. "You think I can be bought?"

"I think everyone has a price." Maybe that wasn't the best thing to say.

Her eyes narrow and she raises her chin a notch. "Not me." Her voice is low and controlled as if she's clenching her teeth. "When I get married, I want to do so for love. I won't get involved in a fake arrangement like something out of Medieval times, no matter how much money you offer."

The limo continues through the city streets, and I let the silence stretch. Pushing now would be a mistake. She needs to come to this decision on her own, or at least think she has.

The limo makes a turn, heading back toward her office building. I'm already planning the next steps because eventually, she will say yes. No one turns me down.

The limo slows, then stops. We're back where we started.

I glance out the window and my jaw tightens.

Four men are standing on the sidewalk in front of her office building with their arms crossed and thunderous expressions. They're all big, all clearly related to each other, and to Kiera, based on the similar features. And they all look like they want to rip my head off.

"Shit," Kiera breathes beside me. "That's my brothers."

7

KIERA

"Shit," I breathe, my stomach dropping. "That's my brothers."

Emil doesn't respond. When I glance at him, his expression hasn't changed at all. He's completely calm, his dark brown eyes tracking my brothers with analytical intensity. His large frame is relaxed against the leather seat, one hand resting casually on his thigh, the other near the window. He looks like a predator assessing potential threats and finding them manageable.

Of course he's not worried. Why would he be? The man radiates confidence like other people radiate body heat.

The limousine glides to a smooth stop, and I can see Kevin pacing like a caged animal, his dark red hair catching the parking lot lights. Devin's got his arms crossed over his chest, showing off those gym-sculpted muscles. Kaleb looks worried, repeatedly running his hand through his red-blond hair. And Jack stands slightly apart, his cop instincts clearly on high alert as he watches our vehicle with narrowed eyes.

This is a complete disaster.

"I need your answer, Kiera."

Emil's voice is low and rough, and despite everything, it sends heat spiraling through my stomach. I turn to look at him, taking in the sharp line of his jaw beneath that scruffy beard, the way his dress shirt stretches across his broad chest and shoulders, and the edge of those jungle vine tattoos peeking out at his collar. The man is infuriatingly attractive, all dangerous masculinity and quiet authority.

My body remembers exactly what it felt like to be held in those thick arms while his hard cock pressed against my belly on the dance floor.

But I'm not for sale.

"To my arrangement," he continues, his gaze holding mine. "Marry me. I'll give you everything you need. Financial security. Protection. A life most women only dream about."

I stare at him, anger and frustration bubbling up inside me. The arrogance. The absolute audacity of this man to think he can just buy me like I'm some kind of commodity he can add to his collection.

"Here's my answer." I meet his gaze directly and flip him my middle finger, letting him see the steel in my spine. "No. Absolutely not."

Something flickers in his eyes and he chuckles, infuriating me even more.

Before he can respond, before his driver can get out and open the door for me like I'm some kind of princess he's already claimed, I shove it open myself and climb out into the cool evening air.

"Kiera!" Kevin's voice booms across the parking lot. "What the hell is going on?"

All four of them converge on me like a protective wall of muscle and indignation. Kevin reaches me first, his blue eyes blazing with big brother concern and fury. Devin's right behind him, his long ponytail swinging. Kaleb's face is creased with worry. And Jack hangs back slightly, but his attention keeps darting between Emil and me as he emerges from the limousine behind me.

"Is someone going to explain," Kevin demands, gesturing wildly, "why I'm getting congratulations calls about my baby sister's engagement?"

"Or why it's all over social media?" Devin adds, pulling out his phone and shoving it toward my face. "You're trending, Kiera. Trending. There are pictures of you two leaving that club together."

"Are you okay?" Kaleb asks, his voice softer than the others, more concerned than angry. "Did something happen? Did he hurt you?"