Forever.If I say that, she’ll bolt.
“Long enough for me to secure control over the Orlov emp—I mean, company. Orlov Enterprises.” Sierra shoots me a sidelong look. That was a slip-up. She won’t like finding out that she impulsively married a Russian mobster. A problem for later. She’s willing to go through with it despite the fact that I kidnapped her, though, which is interesting. “Tell me about yourself.”
“What do you want to know?”
“How old are you?”
“Twenty-two. How about yourself?”
“I’m twenty-six.” For a second, I was worried. What if she were still in high school? But twenty-two is fully adult and old enough to make questionable decisions about your future. “Parents? Family?”
“My parents died three years ago. Car accident. After I finished high school, I went to work cleaning houses to support me and my younger sister.”
“Where is she now?”
“We had a falling out when she dropped out of college against my advice. I haven’t seen her since she moved in with her boyfriend last year.” A sad smile ghosts across Sierra’s lips. “We both have bad taste in men.”
“Until you met me.” I wink.
“You are proof of my terrible taste,” she scoffs. “You know, the whole abduction thing.”
My mouth kicks up at one corner. Smartass. I pull into the parking lot and kill the engine. “Let’s go.”
“Wait. Don’t we need rings?”
Frustration claws my insides. “I’ll buy you a diamond tomorrow. Let’s get the paperwork filed and the ceremony over with first.”
She tucks her hand into the crook of my elbow. “You’re such a romantic.”
“I’m a businessman first and foremost. Remember that, Sierra. This is a transaction.” As we’re rounding the corner, my brother’s McLaren comes screaming into the parking lot. The car hasn’t fully stopped when my sister pushes the door open and tumbles out, her eyes wide and her cheeks flushed with excitement.
“Lilia. What are you doing here?” I snarl. I can’t believe Rion let her come.
“I wanted to see my big brother get married.” She stares at Sierra with open curiosity. “He’s the first one, you know. Unless Maxim has managed to find Alisa and marry her. No one has seen him since the funeral this morning.”
I feel my pulse kick with alarm.
“I can guarantee you she wasn’t at home in Los Angeles this afternoon,” Sierra deadpans, then glances impishly at me.
“How would you know?” Having parked his vehicle in the spot next to mine, Rion strides over to us. “Were you there?”
“You could say that,” Sierra answers.
“Where’s your twin?” I ask, heading off any further questioning. They don’t need to know how badly I fucked up my own plan. I pivoted. The way I handled this afternoon’s setback proves I can think on my feet. But none of that matters if Luka or Maxim have already secured a bride. And why isn’t Rion even trying? He’s as competitive and ruthless as the rest of us. Something doesn’t add up.
“Luka took off, same as Maxim.” He holds out one hand and says, “Welcome to the family…”
“Sierra,” she says immediately, taking it. Her hand is swallowed by his tattooed one. The idea of my brother touching her, however innocently, fills me with rage. “Sierra Martinez. I’m from Los Angeles.”
“What do you do for a living?”
“I clean houses.” She tosses her head defiantly, her damp curls glossy in the streetlight. “I was cleaning Alisa’s house when?—”
“That’s enough introductions. Let’s get married.” I press my palm possessively to the small of her back and urge her past my intrusive and annoying siblings. Both of them follow us. “Find your own damn bride, man,” I mutter to Rion, bumping his shoulder as I brush past him.
“Maybe I already have,” he says cryptically.
“Bullshit.”