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“And yet you know that your marriage status is important to this family. You were given some leeway out of respect, but not this much.” Father steps toward me, his hands behind his back. Enzo doesn’t look up. He keeps his eyes on the floor like he’s not enjoying this. But Don Bastone looks absolutely delighted. “You were supposed to be my heir. And now, I wonder.”
“Pakhan.” I lower my head. “I was going to tell you. I wanted to make sure—”
“Make sure what? That you ingratiated her into our family? That you could convince your sisters to talk to me—” I didn’t move. He grunted and nodded to himself. “Your mother then?” I nod slightly and he laughs. “Yes, that might’ve worked. She’s very convincing, and I suppose your mother would fall for your bullshit. She’s soft like that. But unfortunately, the game’s over, and you’re finished.”
My jaw clenches. I’m so angry, so humiliated, and all I want to do is slam my fist into Don Bastone’s smiling face, again and again, until his teeth are nothing but chips of flecked bone lodged in the back of his throat.
“You plotted with the head of another family,” Father says. “I am furious, Maxim. I am beyond furious. What were you thinking?”
I raise my chin. “I was thinking I could save that girl from hell. The hell her own father put her in.”
Don Bastone chuckles. “Did he mention that my daughter is a traitor? I suppose he didn’t.”
“Enough,” Father snaps at Don Bastone. Bastone’s smile fades and he stops laughing. Father rubs his face and looks back to me. “You fucked up, Maxim. You should’ve come to me from the start. Instead, we’re doing this in front of these—” He waves a hand at Enzo and Don Bastone as if they’re trash that rolled in from the curb.
“This isn’t her fault,” I say quietly. “She had nothing to do with it. I chose this.”
Father laughs. “It doesn’t matter. I’m sending her away. She’s to return with her father and her brother, and don’t you dare open your mouth to argue.”
I snap my jaw shut. I’m seething, raging. What will they do to her?
Father steps closer. “If you disobey me, I will kill Siena. Look at me, Maxim.” I meet his cold, dead eyes. “I will cut her throat whether her father likes it or not. You know I will.”
He’s not lying. I’ve seen him do terrible things—I’ve done those terrible things for him.
“I understand.” I feel as though my body might break at any moment.
“Make sure that you do. If you go near her, she will die. If you fuck up one more time, she will die. If I have a bad day, she will die, and you’ll die with her.” He snaps his fingers and points at Don Bastone. “Get up. Your daughter’s waiting for you in the hallway. Take her and leave.”
“Yes, Pakhan Novalov, but sir, I was wondering—”
Father interrupts him with a cold fury. “If you’re about to ask me about our business arrangement, I would rethink that. Take your daughter and get out before I choose to kill you all. You conspired with my son, and you are lucky I’m letting you keep your lives.”
Don Bastone bows, pulls his son up off the couch, and they hurry away. The doors open, and I want to look back so badly—I might catch a glimpse of her in the hall—but I don’t do it. Father’s watching, and if I disobey him, he will make good on his promise.
The image of Siena in my bathroom bending over to pull on a pair of lacy black panties while she smiles shyly is the last image I’ll ever have of her.
There’s no coming back from this. I’ve seen Father angry—but never like this. He won’t forgive me, and he won’t forget.
Which means that if I ever so much as speak of Siena, he’ll murder her.
I can’t let that happen.
God, what have I done? She’s going home with her father and brother, and I don’t know what they’ll do to her. I can’t protect her, because if I try, my father will end her life.
This must be what hell is like.
The doors close again and I’m alone with my father.
No, not my father.
My Pakhan.
“Look at me, Maxim.” I meet his eyes again. “You’re angry.”
I nod. “Yes, I am.”
“Good. Be angry. It means you still have a soul. But know this.” He steps closer. We’re an arm’s reach apart. “What really kills me is I’ve grown to like her. If you’d have come to me in good faith and told the truth, I would’ve supported you in marrying her. Siena is a clever, strong girl. She’s worthy of you. But you snuck around like a mouse in the dark, and I cannot ever forgive it.” He takes a long breath and lets it out. “That girl’s life is forfeit the moment you disobey me. You will work, and you will work twice as hard as you have to this point. Feliks is now my heir, and if you want to continue to be a part of this family, you will earn your place. Do you understand?”
