Page 86 of The Pakhan’s Accidental Bride

"We're her family," Jack says. "We've been protecting her since our parents died."

"And you've done an admirable job. But this is beyond your capabilities." Emil's gaze moves around the table, meeting each of my brothers' eyes in turn. "I've warned you before. Stay out of my business. Don't investigate me. Don't ask questions you don't want answered. Just trust that I will keep Kiera safe."

"That's asking a lot," Kevin says quietly.

"I know. But it's the only option you have."

The words are blunt, almost cruel in their honesty. My brothers' faces reflect varying degrees of anger, frustration, and helplessness.

I've had enough.

I stand abruptly, my chair scraping against the floor. Every eye turns to me.

"I'm done with this," I say, my voice sharp. "Every single time we're all together, it's the same thing. You worry, he threatens, everyone gets tense, and nothing changes." I look at my brothers. "I love you. All of you. But I'm marrying Emil whether you approve or not. So you can either accept it and be part of my life, or you can keep fighting it and push me away."

"Kiera," Kevin starts.

"No. I'm not finished." I turn to Emil. "And you. Stop treating them like enemies. They're my family. They're going to be your family too. Figure out how to coexist without all this testosterone-fueled posturing."

I throw my napkin on the table and walk out of the dining room, leaving them all staring after me.

My heels click against the marble floor as I head upstairs. I'm angry and frustrated and tired of being caught in the middle of this endless power struggle.

I make it to my bedroom and close the door, leaning against it with my eyes closed. The dinner was supposed to help. Supposed to bring everyone together. Instead, it just highlighted how impossible this situation is.

A knock sounds on my door several hours later.

I open it to find Emil standing there, his expression unreadable.

"Can I come in?"

I step aside, letting him enter. He moves to the window, looking out at the dark grounds.

"My council wants to meet you," he says without preamble.

"Your council?"

"The men who advise me. Who have a lot of power within the organization." He turns to face me. "It's more like a formal interview. They'll ask questions, evaluate you, and determine whether you're suitable to be the Pakhan’s wife."

The weight of his words settles over me like a heavy blanket. Everything, it seems, hinges on this meeting. My future. My brothers' safety. All of it.

"When?" I ask.

"Tomorrow night."

34

EMIL

Iwatch Kiera's face carefully as the information sinks in. She's standing near her bed, arms crossed defensively, and I can see the tension in her shoulders.

"Tell me about this council," she says. "What exactly do they do?"

I move away from the window, closer to where she stands. "I established the council years ago. When I first became Pakhan."

"Why?"

"Because absolute power corrupts absolutely." The words taste bitter, but they're true. "I've seen what happens when a Pakhan has no checks on his authority. Men become monsters. They abuse their position, hurt their own people, and make decisions based on ego instead of what's best for the organization."