Page 37 of Redeem Me

Despite shrugging, I know the real answer. Instead, I say, “I feel like I betrayed a lot of people when I ran away.”

Petra watches me and sighs. “Our parents babied you, especially after Michal died. It wasn’t really their fault. You were so insanely cute,” she says and strokes my cheek. “When Mom would dress you up for a function, I swear you looked like a life-sized doll. How could anyone tell such a precious creature no?”

“Were they terrible to you?” I ask, fighting a grin since I know her answer.

“They worshipped the ground I walked on. I was their first, and frankly best, daughter. I honored them with my very existence.”

“You also married the man they chose.”

Petra considers my words and shrugs. “Well, so will you. It just took longer.”

“One month,” I whisper, feeling out the words. “It always takes a single month to put it all together.”

Petra smirks and glances around conspiratorially. “I can’t wait until the boys start getting married off, especially Maks. He’ll be a terrible husband. I hope his wife makes him cry.”

When we laugh at the thought, the kids run over thinking they’re missing the party. My sister and I stop gossiping long enough to lift our kids so they might pet the horses. We spend another half hour at the stables before we’re summoned for dinner.

After cleaning up the kids, I change my clothes and try to seem more presentable. I’ve been wearing sweats to mealtime, which I know my mother detests.

Once I wear a flattering red top and black skirt, I arrive downstairs to find the hallway outside the dining room empty. No one is sitting down for dinner. The estate manager appears with a nanny.

“You are requested in your father’s study,” Elenor explains to me and gestures for the nanny to take the kids. “They will wait with their cousin.”

Following Elenor to Viktor’s study, I enter the deeply masculine space to find my father, mother, and siblings. Roman stands near the back window. Maks and Leon sit on two ends of the same couch. Petra rests in a chair, seeming unsure. Katja stands next to my father behind his desk.

Viktor soon walks to where my feet are planted to the ground. He brushes his fingers under my chin, seeming so loving. Yet, I’m cold with fear. My lower lip begins to tremble as I stare in my father’s unreadable, blue eyes.

“Aunt Fred indicated the biker still wants to marry you. Leon indicated you’ve agreed to the former arrangement,” Viktor says softly. Before I nod, he adds, “The same arrangement you broke when you fled two years ago.”

I think to glance at Leon or Petra. Maybe my mother can help me explain. I even consider mentioning Ollie. However, my father’s gaze acts as a tranquilizer, numbing my will to defend myself, let alone run.

My father’s fingers slide under my hair, brushing it back off my shoulders, leaving my throat exposed. I lower my gaze submissively. Viktor curls his fingers under my jaw and forces me to look at him.

“If you run again, you will put a target on our family. Our enemies don’t care about your big heart full of good intentions. They only smell weakness. If I look weak, the Syndicate looks weak. If we aren’t strong, our enemies will attack. It won’t only be you in danger. It will also be your brothers, sister, and mother.”

Viktor steps aside and gestures at the rest of the family. “If you feel impulsive again and want to run away from the biker, ask yourself who you are willing to sacrifice to the altar of your fragile heart? Can you live with the guilt of putting a target on one of your brothers? Is your mother an acceptable sacrifice to be made? Have I lived long enough if it means you can flee from your responsibilities?”

My gaze washes over my family. We aren’t warm like other people, but I love them. When I ran, I was acting on instinct. When I stayed in that dump with Andrew, I felt like any sacrifice was worth keeping my babies.

Tears spill down my cheeks as I lower my gaze. Even feeling guilty, I want to fight back against my father’s accusations. I’m not the bad guy. I’ve suffered to protect the innocent, while my family gained power through spilling blood. Why should I be responsible for keeping criminals safe from other criminals?

However, I can’t demand to be heard and respected by my family. They live by a different code. To have their protection, I’ll need to live by the same one.

That’s why I wipe my eyes and look at my father. “I’ll put the family first.”

“No running if the biker upsets you,” Viktor says, leaning down to force eye contact with me. “If he wrongs you, come to the family. If you feel in danger, tell us. We handle family problems together. No one handles them alone. Do you understand?”

Nodding, I look to my mother to find her watching me with an appreciative gaze. She wants me to follow the rules and do right by the family. Petra spoke the truth earlier when she said our parents didn’t like scolding me. They let me go to college and run around with Siobhan and Hunter. I think they maneuvered the marriage pact with the Backcountry Kings as a way to keep me close.

My parents don’t shower me with praise or cuddle like Aunt Fred does with her kids. However, they are always aware of their children’s situations and safety. They likely suffered knowing I was with a man like Andrew, yet they let me fail until I was ready to ask for their help.

“I want to marry Bear O’Malley,” I tell my father. “I want to stay in town close to my family. I won’t run.”

Viktor gives me a little smile. “Aunt Fred wanted assurances before they agreed. She suffers fears over the biker’s heart. Isn’t that precious?”

Though he’s clearly mocking Bear, I also sense he likes how my chosen husband won’t be an ungrateful shit like Brandon Arany. Viktor is right to believe Bear will be loyal. He wears scars on his flesh from the battles he fought to protect the O’Malley family and his club. The man has a big, soft heart under his grumbly, rugged exterior.

And in only a month, I’ll marry and claim that sexy beast for myself.

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