Page 85 of The Pakhan’s Accidental Bride

"Good. I got everything I need." I step inside, closing the door behind me. "I invited my brothers to dinner tonight."

His pen stops moving. "You what?"

"I invited them to dinner. Here. At seven." I cross my arms. "I already told the kitchen staff to prepare for a dozen people."

He leans back in his chair, studying me. "You didn't think to ask me first?"

"Would you have said yes?"

"Probably not."

"That's why I didn't ask." I move closer to his desk. "They're my family, Emil. And if we're really getting married, they need to be part of our lives. Not just people you tolerate or threaten."

His jaw tightens, but he doesn't argue. "Fine. Dinner at seven."

"Thank you."

"Don't thank me yet. If this goes badly, it's on you."

"I know."

Seven o'clock arrives too quickly.

My brothers file into the dining room looking uncomfortable and out of place. Kevin, Jack, Devin, and Kaleb, with Mark beside Kaleb. They're all dressed nicely, clearly making an effort, but the tension radiates off them in waves.

Emil stands at the head of the table, looking every inch the powerful Pakhan in dark slacks and a crisp white shirt. His presence dominates the room, making it feel smaller somehow.

"Thank you for coming," I say, trying to break the ice. "Please, sit."

They do, arranging themselves around the table. Emil takes his seat at the head, and I sit to his right. The staff begins bringing out food, course after course of beautifully prepared dishes.

At first, conversation is stilted. Awkward comments about the weather, the food, neutral topics that don't touch on anything real. But as the meal progresses and wine flows, my brothers start to relax. Kaleb tells a funny story about one of his students. Devin talks about expanding his gym. Even Kevin manages a few smiles.

Then Jack asks the question that changes everything.

"So, Emil. What exactly do you do? Besides the casinos and racetracks."

The temperature in the room drops ten degrees.

Emil sets down his wine glass slowly. "I run various businesses. Import, export, real estate, and entertainment."

"That's pretty vague," Jack presses.

"It's intentionally vague." Emil's voice is calm but carries an edge. "Some things are better left undiscussed at the dinner table."

"We're going to be family," Kevin says. "Don't we have a right to know what our sister is marrying into?"

"You know enough."

"Do we?" Devin leans forward. "Because from where I'm sitting, all we know is that you're dangerous, you're powerful, and Kiera could get hurt because of it."

"I would never hurt her."

"Not directly, maybe. But your world is violent. We've already seen that. Someone tried to kill her."

The reminder hangs in the air, heavy and accusatory.

"Which is exactly why she's safer with me than anywhere else," Emil says, his tone hardening. "I have the resources to protect her. You don't."