There. I’ll marry to make peace. But it won’t be with Kira.
And yet… I can’t stop thinking about her, even hours later.
Kira
I’m resting on my bed after I blacked out for just a moment when my father comes into my room. When I woke up, my father and brother were hovering over me, worry in their eyes. I haven’t seen my father that worried for me in weeks. Not after I disappointed him.
Now, my father’s face isn’t filled with worry for me. Instead, he only looks relieved. “Kira, I have some news. Nikolai just called me and told me that Enzo Bianchi wants tomarry someone else to secure a peace deal. Which means that you won’t have to marry him.”
Slowly, I sit up, confused. “I don’t understand. You told me I was going to marry him.”
“I know that. But I guess he agreed to make peace by marrying another Bratva woman.”
“Who?”
“I’m not sure. Nikolai made it sound like Enzo was willing to marry anyone else… that wasn’t you.”
I blink, contemplating my father’s words, before I scoff. “So he’s ok with a marriage deal just not with me? What’s wrong with me?”
“Nothing, Kira. But this is a good thing. I never wanted you married to that madman anyway. This way we’ll get peace and I won’t have to lose my daughter in the process.”
I scramble to my feet. “But he doesn’t want to marry me? Why? Am I not desirable or something?”
Gregor frowns. “I thought you would be happy about this. I mean… you fainted only a few hours ago now. This is good news.”
“Of course,” I say tightly. And it is. It means I won’t have to marry a total stranger who’s clearly dangerous and clearly an asshole.
But… I’ve never had a man not want me before. Whenever I’ve gone out to parties or clubs, men would always approach me. I would turn them down but it was obvious they were interested in me. So why isn’t Enzo?
It’s a blow to my self-esteem, not going to lie. And it pisses me off, frankly.
“Good. Now, get some rest. I’m just glad I won’t have to marry you off to a man like Enzo.” He gives a kiss on my forehead. It’s the first one since he found out I snuck off to a party at Enzo’s house weeks ago without even knowing it was Enzo’s house. I really need to find out which properties Enzo owns so I can avoid ending up at his summer house or something.
After my father leaves, I don’t feel relieved. I feel… antsy. I seriously want to know what’s wrong with me and why Enzo refuses to marry me.
So, after hours pass and it’s in the middle of the night, I grab my dad’s car keys off the side table and sneak off to the garage. Jason is still out front, patrolling our house, but he won’t be able to stop me driving away in a car. I don’t care if my father is upset with me. I need answers.
I speed down the driveway before Jason can stop me. He runs after the car but eventually gives up. I’ll be long gone by the time he alerts my father of what’s happening. Jasonwill probably be fired from doing a terrible job at his own job but that’s not my problem. Right now, I need to know why Enzo doesn’t want me.
I show back up at his club, even though it’s not as packed since it’s four in the morning now. Though, there are still people mingling around.
Enzo approached me last time. Now it’s my turn.
I ask the bartender where the boss’s office is and he points down a hallway. Without hesitating, I storm down it. There’s a guard stationed out front of one of the doors.
“I need to see Enzo Bianchi,” I demand.
The guard looks me up and down. “Why would I let you in to see him? Run along, little girl.”
“Tell him Kira Petrov is here to see him. Now.”
With a sigh, the guard grabs the walkie-talkie pinned to his shirt and informs Enzo of what’s happening. After a moment, the guard nods and opens the door for me.
I walk inside the office with my head held high. Enzo looks me over with a smirk that makes me want to blush but I keep my composure. I’m not afraid of a man like him.
“Why won’t you marry me?” I ask.
“Getting right to it.”