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“Why don’t we go to the new gallery?”
“Not a chance. I will not accept gifts that help ease his guilt. I have a better idea.”
BythetimeIget home, the sun is lowering toward the rooftops. For the first time in my life, I feel like an adult, making adult decisions.
I walk into my parents’ home and hearhisvoice.
Both my brother and Demetri walk out of my father’s old office. I pause, half believing my father will walk out behind them. Some days, I still expect him to charge into this house and kiss my mother.
I glare at Demetri. This ismyfamily. How dare he try to get close to them!
“Katrina,” Luca greets, and Demetri attempts to take my hand. His calloused fingers grace my skin before I pull back.
“I was just about to check on the girls.” I take a step, trying to hurry away.
“Ma took them out for a walk. They’re not here.” My brother has the same authoritative voice my father had.
I stop and turn. “Then I’ll get their baths ready.”
“Just a second.”
Demetri stays quiet during my exchange with Luca. But he’s wearing a grin that I want to smack off his face. It puts me on edge and makes me nervous.
“Demetri would like a second of your time.”
“It’s more like an hour,” Demetri corrects.
“He already talked to me today. I’ve used up too much oxygen on him already.” My heart is pounding out of control. I clasp my hands together to stop the tremor plaguing my nerves.
“For the sake of our treaty, you need to hear him out.” My mouth falls open at my brother’s demand. “It’s for the family.” I can’t believe he just used the family card on me.
“If you remember, I married that piece of shit to protect the family. Demetri is the one who changed his mind.”
“From my understanding, we arestillmarried, wife. My lawyer hasn’t received any of your signatures,” Demetri defends in a deep, controlling voice.
“The papers are signed and in my room. I’ll get them for you.” I knew I should have mailed them the moment I signed them.
“The details of why are unimportant,” Demetri announces, that grin back in place.
He knows I have to cave, and talk to him because my brother will make me.
Demetri
Icanseethefirecracker in Katrina start to spark and come to life. She’s not happy with me being here. I knew she would never come near me again unless forced to. She still values her family, and it’s the only reason she will agree to this. Her chest rises and falls with each labored breath. Her cheeks are pinkening from her anger rising.
I’ve already informed my lawyer to not accept those papers if she ends up mailing them. They are null and void now.
Katrina blows out another breath before she turns her beautiful glare on me. “Let’s get this over and done with.” She crosses her arms, her posture leaning away from me.
I hold out my hand and wait for her to accept it. She raises a brow, determined not to touch me. “I have all night. I can wait, put the girls to bed once they get home, andthenwe can do this.” I wink, riling her up.
“You mean the girls you don’t want?”
“We’re wasting time arguing. But we both know it only acts as foreplay between us.”
Her brother glances at me before he shakes his head and leaves the two of us together. Nothing he can do about it, since we’re married, and he knows it.
“I hate you.”
