Page 64 of The Pakhan’s Accidental Bride

I throw off the covers and get dressed quickly, pulling on jeans and a simple black sweater. My hands shake slightly as I brush my hair. I need to talk Emil out of this. There has to be another way.

When I get downstairs, he's already in the dining room, sitting at the head of the table with a cup of coffee and the morning paper. He looks completely calm, like he didn't just challenge four men to fight him.

"Morning," he says without looking up.

"We need to talk about today."

"No, we don't."

I pull out the chair next to him and sit down. "Emil, please. You don't have to do this."

He finally looks at me, his dark eyes unreadable. "Yes, I do."

"Why? What's the point? You've already won. I'm here, aren't I? I agreed to marry you."

"This isn't about winning." He sets down his coffee cup. "This is about respect. Your brothers need to know I'm not some weak man they can intimidate or manipulate. They need to see that I can hold my own."

"They already know you're dangerous. Jack's a cop. He's seen your file."

"Knowing and seeing are two different things."

I lean forward, trying to catch his gaze. "You're going to get hurt."

Something flickers in his expression. Surprise, maybe. "You're worried about me?"

"Of course I'm worried about you." The words come out sharper than I intend. "My brothers aren't pushovers, Emil. Kevin's been working out his whole life. Devin owns a gym. Jack's had police combat training. And Kaleb might be a teacher, but he's scrappy as hell."

"I know what they are."

"Then you know this is a bad idea."

He reaches out and takes my hand, his thumb brushing over my knuckles. The gesture is surprisingly gentle. "Kiera, I've been fighting my whole life. I grew up in the Bratva. I've survived things your brothers can't even imagine."

"That doesn't mean you're invincible."

"No. But it means I know what I'm doing." He squeezes my hand. "Sometimes, violence is the only language men understand. The only way to settle things. Your brothers need this. They need to feel like they fought for you, even if they lose."

I want to argue more, but I can see the determination in his face. He's not going to back down. And part of me, a small, traitorous part, understands why. I just wish it didn't have to involve my brothers beating the hell out of him.

"Fine," I say, pulling my hand away. "But if you end up in the hospital, don't expect me to feel sorry for you."

His lips quirk in what might be a smile. "Noted."

We eat breakfast in tense silence. I can barely taste the food. My stomach is twisted in knots, and I keep glancing at the clock. Eleven fifteen. Eleven thirty. Eleven forty-five.

At exactly noon, the doorbell rings.

Luca appears in the doorway. "They're here, Pakhan."

Emil stands, rolling his shoulders. He's wearing dark pants and a fitted black T-shirt that shows off his muscular frame. For a man in his forties, he's in incredible shape. But so are my brothers.

This is going to be a disaster.

We walk through the estate to the gym, a massive room I didn't even know existed. It's got weight equipment, cardio machines, and in the center, a full-sized boxing ring.

My brothers are already there, standing in a line like soldiers. Kevin's face is set in hard lines. Jack looks grim. Devin and Kaleb exchange glances, but neither looks happy about this.

"Gentlemen," Emil says, his voice carrying across the room. "Thank you for coming."