Page 18 of Lord of Justice

"Yeah, that doesn't sound sinister at all," she says, but takes a sip. "Oh, this is good."

"Half coffee and half sugar, the way you like it. Roman and your sister will be here soon. They were not receptive to the news of our marriage."

She coughs on her coffee. "You think?"

"You need to get cleaned up. They will be here soon." She watches me suspiciously over her mug. "I have pastries and bacon for you in the kitchen."

"Wow, talk about lowering your standards." For the first time, Iris smiles. "Are you going to have to burn sage to clear the bacon and cholesterol desecration before it infects your kale?"

"Just get dressed." I leave the room before she can catch my amused expression.

Once she looks presentable, Iris joins me in the kitchen, watching me suspiciously as she nibbles on a croissant. "What did you tell Roman and my sister?"

"That we were married." I've moved on from mykale smoothie to black coffee. "There was an expected degree of upset on their part."

"They're taking me home," she says with complete certainty. "This is going to be a very short union."

"No." It comes out flat and uncompromising, but the sooner she accepts this is happening, the better for everyone involved. "I want you to think about this, Iris. You've enjoyed all the benefits of being part of this family without anything having been asked of you. Being part of the Bratva involves sacrifice, it means working towards the greater good of the Morozov family."

"Marryingyouis for the greater good?" Iris is incredulous enough to put down the cheese Danish she's been devouring.

"You and Rose have been accepted into our circle. I'm sure you've seen or heard some of the things Roman and Alexsey have gone through. This is what I mean. You've never been asked for anything before, have you?"

Her cheeks flush a painful red. "No. But- I mean, if there had been something I could have done, I would have. But expecting me to give up my life because you need a wife to look good is insane."

"My appointment to the State Supreme Court means the Morozov Bratva is untouchable. Anything that hinders this endangers everythingwe've worked for over the last ten years." I rotate my shoulders, still sore from my workout. "I don't expect you to give up your life. You will finish college. If you want to work in marketing or PR, you can. Your petty crime spree is over, but I don't plan to lock you in the penthouse like a captive. You will still have your friends. I suspect you'll grow closer to all the Morozov wives. They will join you in criticizing me."

"What about sex?" She wipes the crumbs off her fingers, moving two stools away from me.

"What about it?" I make my tone silky; I'm looking at her, thinking about having her stripped bare, writhing under me.

"I don't want to have sex with you," she enunciates.

I'm a little amused. I've never had to chase anyone before. Women usually said "yes" before I could finish the sentence. I never brought them here though, or gave them a reason to think it would be anything more.

Leaning back, I watch her stiff, defensive posture, as if she's poised to take flight. "I suspect you will want to have sex with me. A great deal."

"So vain," she scoffs.

"I've never had any complaints."

"I don't think you realize how much I dislikeyou."

"Women have never talked to me like this before," I say. "You're very outspoken for a twenty-year-old."

"As icy and unpleasant as you are, I've dealt with worse men than you."

I lean closer, looking into her eyes. They're a light amber shade, not brown. Even bloodshot, they're mesmerizing. Then, I deliver the killing blow. "If you take on this role and do your duty for the family, Rose should be free to marry anyone she likes. Though I am hoping it's not Jeremy."

"Don't." Her remarkable eyes fill with tears. "Don't use Rose against me. There must be some depth that you're not willing to sink to."

There's a buzz and I press the remote to allow my private elevator to open. Roman and Violet come charging out, and when he spots me, his nostrils flare like a bull's. "You," he jabs a furious finger at me, "have exactly five minutes to explain this before I shoot you in the face."

"You're not going to shoot me," I say.

"He might not, but I will!" Violet snaps, racing over to pull Iris out of her chair and hug her. Iris buries her face in her big sister's neck and for a moment, my heart twists.

I ignore it.