Page 21 of The Bratva Betrayal

“Then what are you doing, Caitlin?” His tone is conversational, which makes it worse. “From where I’m sitting, it looks like you’ve spent the past few weeks playing house with a Russian while your brothers bring me something I can use.”

Rian and Killian.

Always better. Always ahead.

I force my expression to stay neutral. “They’re not in the same position I am and can never be.”

“No,” he agrees. “They’re in better ones. They didn’t have to convince me not to marry them off for leverage. They didn’t have to promise they’d be worth more on their own.”

That one lands because it’s true.

Because I did.

“I’m not done yet.” I’m quieter now but no less firm.

“You should be further along.”

“I’m being careful, Da.”

“You’re being slow.”

“I’m preventing a mistake.”

Something dangerous flickering behind them. “A mistake?”

“Yes.”

“And what would that be?”

“Starting something we can’t control,” I say. “You don’t want a war with the Volkovs, correct? That was the whole point of this?”

“No,” His voice drops. “But I’ll have one if I need to.”

I believe him.

“That’s why I’m not handing you incomplete information,” I say. “Once you act on it, there’s no taking it back.”

“If you don’t bring me something soon,” he says slowly. “The plan will change.”

The warning is undeniable.

My fingers tighten in my lap. “I will.”

He doesn’t look convinced.

“Maybe,” he mutters. “Or maybe I should stop waiting on you.”

My stomach twists, but I don’t let it show. “What does that mean?”

“It means if you’re going to spend your time with the boy anyway, we might as well make it worth something.”

The meaning hits before he finishes the thought.

“I will not marry Misha.” The words come out sharper than I intend. “I told you that.”

“I didn’t say you were,” he replies, though his expression says otherwise. “But an alliance with the Volkovs would solve a lot of problems.”

“At what cost?”