Page 80 of Bratva Brother’s Bride

“The child will be born in wedlock,” Roman says. “Vera and I are married. That’s the end of it.”

“For now.” Konstantin picks up his glass and takes a slow sip. “What about Anton? He was promised this woman, and he won’t take kindly to being denied.”

“Anton can go to hell,” I snap before Roman can reply.

I’m still standing pressed against Roman’s side, and I feel his shoulders shake in a silent laugh. “No truer sentiment has ever been said, little bird.”

Konstantin glares. “Such bravado, such certainty. You really think you can simply declare something and make it so?”

“I think,” Roman says, his voice hard as steel, “that I am Dmitri’s successor. I am the head of this branch of the family, and Vera is my wife. Anyone who challenges that will answer to me.”

The room goes silent. Konstantin stares at Roman, his expression unreadable, and for a moment I wonder if this is it, if this is the moment when everything falls apart.

Then Konstantin smiles. “Very well,” he says. “You’ve made your position clear, and I must admit, I admire your... conviction.”

He stands again, moving toward the door.

“I think,” he says, pausing with his hand on the doorknob, “that we should formally announce the pregnancy. A dinner tonight, with the family. It will put to rest any questions about the child’s legitimacy and make clear to everyone where you stand.”

Roman’s expression darkens. “That’s not necessary.”

“On the contrary.” Konstantin’s voice is mild, but there’s a steely edge beneath it. “It’s essential. The family needs to see that you’re committed to this woman and this child. They need to see that you’re not simply acting out of impulse or passion.”

“I don’t need to prove anything to them.”

“Don’t you?” Konstantin turns to face us, his eyes sharp. “You’ve been back from Siberia for what, a few months? In that time, you’ve taken over your brother’s territory, claimed his widow, and now you’re telling me she’s carrying your child. Forgive me for saying so, but it looks too convenient.”

“Convenient.” Roman’s voice is low. “You think I planned this? You think I got Vera pregnant to secure my position?”

“I think,” Konstantin says slowly, “that you’ve always been ambitious. You saw an opportunity and you took it. There’s no shame in that, Roman. It’s what I would have done.”

Roman’s hands clench into fists at his sides, and I can see the effort it takes for him to stay where he is.

“The dinner will be tonight,” Konstantin continues, his tone leaving no room for argument. “Seven o’clock. I’ll expect you both presentable and prepared to make a formal announcement.”

Roman takes a step forward, his body vibrating with anger. “I’m not one of your puppets, Konstantin. You don’t get to dictate my life.”

“I’m not dictating your life.” Konstantin’s voice is cold now, the pretense of civility stripped away. “I’m protecting the family’s interests. Something you seem determined to undermine at every turn.”

“The family’s interests?” Roman laughs, but it’s a harsh, bitter sound.

“And you?” Konstantin raises an eyebrow. “A few months ago, you couldn’t have cared less about her. Now you’re ready to go to war for her and her bastard child.”

I feel my face flush at the words, and I have to clench my hands in my lap to keep from screaming at him.

Roman steps forward until he’s standing toe to toe with his father. His voice is quiet, but there’s a violence in it that I’ve never heard before.

“Say that again,” he says. “Call my child a bastard one more time, and I’ll make you regret it.”

Konstantin doesn’t flinch. He meets Roman’s glare with one of his own and for a moment, the two of them are locked in a battle of wills that seems to stretch on forever.

Then Konstantin smiles again. “You’ve made your point,” he says. “The dinner will be tonight. Seven o’clock at Kuro-Tetsu. I suggest you use the intervening hours to calm down and remember what’s at stake.”

Roman stares at him for a long moment, his chest heaving with barely suppressed rage. Then he turns on his heel and strides toward the door.

“Roman—” I start, but he’s already gone, the door slamming shut behind him.

I look at Konstantin, my heart pounding in my chest. He’s watching me with those calculating eyes, and I feel like a mouse being examined by a snake.