Page 16 of How to: Seduce Your Wife

“Agreed.”

“Well, Isure as hell don’t agree,” a furious voice interrupted.

Brand spun around, sweeping Mia safely behind him. “Soren!”

Mia peeked around Brand, clutching the back of his suit jacket, no doubt to help steady her bad leg. She gasped at the sight of his brother, probably due to the intimidating size and ruthlessness of the man, though Brand wasn’t the least intimidated.

“Let me guess, Mr. Boulders-for-Shoulders is your brother, right?”

He chuckled at the description. “What gave it away?”

“You look exactly alike except he’s bigger and his eyes are black.”

“Literally and figuratively my big brother,” Brand confirmed, folding his arms across his chest. “I assume you found out aboutPapà’srequest,” he addressed Soren.

Mia moved to Brand’s side, refusing to cower behind him. Impressive. Not many people could deal with an angry Soren. Hell, not many people could deal with a happy Soren. She held out her hand. “I’m Mia Starr.”

Soren hesitated and for an instant Brand wondered if his brother would refuse to take her hand. “Be polite and say hello to your future sister-in-law,” he prompted.

“Was that a growl?” Mia whispered.

“Sounded like one to me,” he whisperedback.

This time the growl grew louder. Then Soren stuck his huge paw in hers and gave it a brief shake. “Soren Salvatore, not your future brother-in-law. I’m sorry he wasted your time. I’m here to bring him home. I’m afraid you’ll have to find some other guy to marry.”

Mia slid a quick look in Brand’s direction, revealing more than a hint of worry and confusion. He took over. “I appreciate your concern, Soren, but I’m not going anywhere.” He wrapped his arm around her. “As I said, we’re getting married, so deal with it.”

“I plan to deal with it,” Soren retorted, cracking his knuckles. “I’m taking you home conscious or unconscious. It doesn’t matter to me which.”

Brand offered Mia a reassuring smile. “Soren is our family troubleshooter. He has a knack for accomplishing the impossible. If something needs doing, he gets it done.”

“Exactly.” Soren smiled in a way that sent shivers down her spine. “And I’m about to getyoudone.”

“You know whatPapàwants,” Brand said quietly. “You prefer I lose my job? My inheritance? All because you don’t approve?”

“You don’t need to make another mistake.”

Mia jerked in his arms as though she’d just been struck. “No thanks. Mia and I have reached an agreement that works for us.”

Soren settled his attention on Mia. “You don’t want Brand. He’s damaged. You say you want my brother to seduce you? Sure, he can manage that reasonably well. But then he’ll walk away. He doesn’t do relationships.”

Mia’s cheeks flamed at Soren’s audacity. “I can’t believe you overheard that,” she muttered. “Can it get any more humiliating?”

“Too early to tell,” Brand warned.

“I really need to stop asking myself that question until I’m able to evaporate into thin air.” She buried her face against Brand’s chest. “I used to think if I couldn’t see you, you couldn’t see me. Idon’t suppose there’s any truth to that?”

He chuckled, finding her deliciously honest. Of more concern was her vulnerability which roused every last protective instinct he possessed. “I’m afraid you’re still visible.”

“You won’t have to worry about any further humiliation,” Soren interrupted, “because you won’t be marrying my brother. Now you go enjoy yourself, Ms. Starr, and I’ll escort my brother home. My family will refund the cost of your ticket since my brother has wasted so much of your time this evening.”

“Did you seriously just imply I could be paid off?” she demanded making Brand want to cheer her boldness.

Brand took over. “That’s not going to happen, Soren. Mia and I are getting married. Ican go around you or through you, but I will get past.”

“You can try. But you won’t succeed.” He folded his massive arms across his equally massive chest to emphasize his statement. There wasn’t an ounce of bravado in his words. He honest-to-God believed he’d keep them from marrying. “I spend my life handling problematic situations by any means necessary. And I’ve never once failed to achieve what I’ve set out to accomplish. Not once.”

“And the current problematic situation is me?” Mia asked.

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