Page 153 of Nemesis

You okay?

I jut out my chin, subtly gesturing to the contents on the table. My fighting cousins pay him no heed as he walks over and plucks the note, ignoring the severed finger beside it.

“You know, on paper, the deal is sound,” Ivan says. “It’s a standard marriage arrangement.”

Nik throws up his arms. “But he won’t hold to his end of the bargain!”

“I know that,” Ivan snaps. “All I’m saying is that it wouldn’t look suspicious if we play along. He’ll believe you’re after a ceasefire, just like the last generation’s marriage arrangement was designed to bring.”

Vasiliy’s face morphs into blank rage, eyes flicking from the letter to me.

It’s okay, baby, I try to convey, but his anger runs too deep to read my thoughts.

“He’s already made the preparations for your raid,” Vas says to the group. “He’s been ready all week. In fact, your hostage told me he’s been preparing for your final stand for nearly a year. He has an army of one-hundred strong, and he’s already pulled them all into the compound to guard his asset.”

I knew he’d get me something.

I only wish I knew what to do with the information. I need time to think. More importantly, I need some fucking quiet. I can’t focus with all the competing voices and opinions.

“So what?” Nik asks. “With our new resources, we nearly break even. A raid would still work in our favor⁠—”

“No.” Vasiliy cuts him off with a glare. “It would not. Your brother is his only leverage. Tell me, what do you think will happen to him if we waltz through the gates and start shooting? Do you really think he’d be alive by the time we made it inside? If we managed to make it inside, that is.”

The room quiets. Dying sunlight streams through the windows, and all I can see is another day gone without any tangible progress.

Ivan’s the one who voices the thought we’re all sharing. “She could accept.”

“Accept what?” Vas spits. The stained paper flutters down to the table.

“Vas.”

“No, zlaya, I want to hear this cumstain’s winning idea. How do you figure my wife will accept another man’s marriage claim?”

“Listen, kid, we’re low on options here.” Ivan claws a hand through his hair. “We can launch an upfront raid, which is undoubtedly stupid, or we can play along until we find a better opening to attack, which is slightly less stupid.”

Vasiliy straightens, slowly turning to face Ivan like he’s heavily contemplating tackling our only ally out of his chair.

“Enough.” I rise. “Let’s take a break.”

“We still haven’t decided⁠—”

I meet Ben’s gaze. He’s drifted back into his seat, and there’s something about seeing him at the head of the table that feeds my anger.

“I’ll let you know when I’ve made my decision.”

No one says another word as I walk out of the dining room, Vasiliy hot on my tail. I feel his flames consuming my back with every step up the stairs and into my dad’s study. It’s only when we’re both inside, and the door is pressed shut behind him, that I turn.

“You are not going,” he says in a low voice.

He’s so damn beautiful like this, coated in my enemy’s blood and standing up for my safety. Unfortunately, I don’t have the luxury of hiding inside his protective arms.

“Tell me you love me,” I say instead.

“No.”

My mouth drops open.

“No, I’m not going to say it unless you promise me you won’t choose their godawful plan.”