Page 16 of Black Ledger

I arched an eyebrow. Was that an option?

As if hearing the question in my silence, Cormac asked, “Would you prefer Keira?”

Of course I did. But I stayed silent, partly because I had no idea what to say, partly because I knew they would eventually fill the silence.

“If Keira is willing, I would accept that alliance, but we would have to negotiate. She is my top intelligence analyst and programmer, and I am unwilling to lose her skill set. If you want a wife that doesn’t have a job, I would suggest Isolde.”

The girl in question made a soft sound but, to her credit, didn’t flinch or try to disappear.

“I would prefer Keira,” I said, my voice flat and almost entirely emotionless. “And I have no issue with her keeping her job with the Irish, if she is also willing to do some work for the Bratva.”

Cormac turned to his niece. “So, Keira, would you accept a marriage to a Russian… to Severin Volkov?”

She gave a low laugh. “Are you giving me the choice?”

“Of course.”

Her gaze shifted back to me, and she stared—no, glared—through thick eyelashes. If she were magic, her glare would have been deadly. I shifted uncomfortably, and for the first time all night, I felt uncertain.

Would she reject the proposal?

Did I want her to?

Being engaged to Keira Callahan—even falsely—was a terrible idea. She was the only woman in thirteen years who had caught my attention, let alone gotten me hard. I was certain that if she agreed to this plan, I would end up fucking her.

And that might ruin me.

As much as I wanted to get my dick wet again in theory, in practice, it might be the death of me.

Keira crinkled her nose, and I noticed the cute freckles scattered across the bridge and spanning her cheeks. I had never found freckles to be hot, but this woman could make anything attractive.

She shook her head and smirked. “Sure. I’ll marry the Russian.”

I let out a snort. This woman. She was something else. A dangerous temptation. She was fiery and possibly able to put up with my broody, unhinged nature because this woman might be able to match my particular brand of crazy.

“Then that is settled,” Cormac said, delving deeper into the details of the deal.

We spent the next two hours discussing trade routes, shipping lines, warehouses, guns, and ways to strengthen our positions. We went through the deal detail by detail and even brought in my least favorite brigadier, Kazimir, to help negotiate the ports. By the end of the night, we had a mutually beneficial deal.

And an engagement to the second most beautiful woman I had ever seen.

I was in so much fucking trouble.

Once we were finished, everyone began filing back into the club to celebrate the new alliance. But I had one more thing to discuss—this time with my bride-to-be.

“Wait, Keira, can I speak with you alone for a moment?”

Chapter Nine

Xeniya Morozova

Age 35

“Wait, Keira, can I speak with you alone for a moment?”

I froze in my tracks, one hand holding the door open as live music filtered into the private room.

“Do you think that is the most appropriate request?” Cormac asked, stopping before he left.