Page 63 of The Pakhan’s Accidental Bride

"In many ways, she is."

That doesn't go over well.

Jack lunges forward, but Luca is there in an instant, stepping between us. Devin and Kaleb move too, but Luca's hand goes to his weapon, and they freeze.

"I wouldn't," Luca says quietly.

"You son of a bitch," Jack snarls at me. "She's not a transaction. She's a person. Our sister."

"I'm aware of what she is."

"Are you?" Kevin's face is red with anger. "Because it sounds like you're using her."

"I'm being honest with you," I say, my voice calm. "I could lie and tell you I love her. I could make up some romantic story about how we met and fell for each other. But that's not what this is. Not yet, anyway."

"Not yet?" Kaleb looks at Kiera. "Do you hear this? He's admitting he doesn't love you."

"I heard him," Kiera says quietly.

"And you're still going to marry him?"

"Yes."

"Why?" Devin's voice cracks slightly. "Why would you do this to yourself?"

"Because it's my choice," Kiera says. "And because despite what Emil just said, I think there's more to this than a business arrangement."

I look at her, surprised. She meets my gaze, and there's something in her eyes I can't quite read. Hope, maybe. Or faith.

The brothers look devastated. I can see it in their faces, the way their shoulders slump and how they look at their sister like they're losing her. And I feel something I rarely feel.

Guilt.

These men love her. They're trying to protect her. And I'm taking her away from them, pulling her into a world of violence and danger that could get her killed.

I should feel satisfied. Victorious. I'm getting what I want.

But watching their faces, seeing their genuine concern and love for Kiera, I feel something else entirely.

Before I really know what I'm doing, the words are out of my mouth.

"Be at the estate at noon tomorrow," I say.

They all turn to look at me.

"What?" Jack asks.

"Noon tomorrow. All four of you." I stand, moving away from the fireplace. "We'll settle this in the old tradition. A fight for Kiera's honor."

27

KIERA

Iwake up the next morning with dread clenching my gut.

The honor fight. The stupid, ridiculous, completely unnecessary honor fight that Emil insisted on last night. I stare at the ceiling of the guest bedroom, my mind racing through all the ways this could go wrong.

My brothers are going to hurt him. Or he's going to hurt them. Or everyone's going to end up bloody and broken, and it'll all be my fault for getting involved with Emil in the first place.