Page 76 of The Virgin I Desire

“A Russian soldier is much worse than one of ours.”

“He is not a soldier.”

“No?” She raised one of her eyebrows.

“It's Mikhail Orlov. The boss.”

“The bastard son who just took over after killing his brother?”

I swallowed hard when I realized that my grandmother was more up to date on matters than I was.

I just nodded.

“He killed his brother, Pietra!”

“He must have had his reasons, I never asked about it.”

“You shouldn't be getting involved with a man like that, child.” She held my hands. “I bet he forced you to...”

“No, grandma! He didn't force me into anything. Everything I did with him was because I wanted to.”

“Worse still, when your wedding comes...”

“Why do I have to save myself for a man I don't even know?” I gritted my teeth, becoming even more irritated by the situation.

“These are our rules.”

“They make us unhappy, grandma.”

“Your parents and uncles are not unhappy. Besides, this man you're getting involved with is too dangerous for you. He is dangerous to all of us. We no longer have good relations with Russia and that makes everything worse.”

“They can improve! Our marriage can be the bridge to the alliance with them.”

“He won't marry you, honey.” My grandmother shook her head no. “He’s just taking advantage, at the same time as he is fueling discord in our family, because when they find out that you're no longer a virgin, the wedding could be canceled.”

“He wouldn't do everything he did if he didn't love me.”

“They don't love anyone.”

“Do you think it’s that unlikely?” I puffed out my chest. If there was one thing I didn't doubt, it was how Mikhail felt about me.

“Fine.” She exhaled sharply. “Let's assume he really feels something. Do you think that after all this adrenaline passes, you will continue to maintain what you feel for each other?”

“I'd rather marry a man I love today than someone I might love one day.”

“He might turn into something you won't like, child.”

“And who can guarantee that the American will be so much better?”

“Your fiancé is under our laws.”

“I want Mikhail. I know I won't be able to marry someone else without stopping thinking about him or wanting to be with him.”

“Your father won't like to hear that.”

“I know.” I shrank. “I'm still thinking about how to talk to him. Mikhail is willing to agree to an alliance to be with me.”

“Are you sure we can trust his word?”

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