Page 100 of Ruthless Reign

She shakes her head, grief flashing over her features. “Roman.” She says my name like a plea. “Don’t make this harder than it has to be.”

I don’t care that she wants to push me away; I refuse to let her. I haul her against me as my heart hammers in my chest. Good. Let her feel how very worked up I am. “You’re not marrying him, and that’s the end of the fucking story.”

“How can you say that?” She tries to push me off of her, but I don’t move a muscle. “This is not your decision, Roman. Accept that we’re over. Accept that this was never going to be anything more.”

“Fuck that. I know how you feel about me because I feel the same way about you.” I lean my forehead against hers, and my words come out in a low, gravelly tone. “If it’s money you need, I’ll give it to you. If it’s a ring you want, you’ll wear my ring. I’ll do anything for you.”

She shakes her head furiously, hot tears spilling down her cheeks. “How can you say that? You’re just as tied to him as I am.”

God, is that what she thinks? That a stupid deal means more to me than she does?

I drag a hand over the back of my neck. “Nothing is more important to me than you.”

Her features twist with anguish. “This is crazy, Roman. We can’t throw away everything for this... madness. Please, listen to me. I have to get home.”

“I haven’t been completely honest with you.” I grit my teeth, the words heavy on my tongue. “Anatoly is up to something. He’s rerouted our ships without telling us, and he’s taking secret meetings with a St. Petersburg based bratva—the bratva we believe is behind the attacks on my life.”

A shadow falls over her expression. “St. Petersburg?”

“The Zhukov brothers. Anatoly met with one of the brothers, Sergey, in secret. I don’t fucking know why, but I do know they’re violent and hell-bent on expansion. Whatever their business is, it’s not good.”

Liza pales as if she's seen a ghost. She dashes to the bathroom off of the main bedroom, her hand clamped over her mouth.

What the fuck?

When I hear the harsh sound of retching, I grab a bottle of water and a small towel, but just as I reach the bathroom door, she opens it, still looking ashen and shaken.

“Enough secrets.” I lead her to the bed and hand her the water. “Tell me the truth—right here, right now. What is this all about?”

Her eyes are heavy and haunted. “The night Anatoly took Sofiya to that business dinner, when we were in London… The associates they had dinner with were from St. Petersburg, and his name was Sergey.”

A tight knot forms in my gut. I don't like where this story is going.

“Sofiya drank that night. I don’t know how much or why, but Anatoly gave her alcohol.”

My hands clench into fists. “I know,” I admit.

“What?!”

“The man I sent to watch her messaged me that she seemed unsteady on her feet. Even though you told me it wasn’t necessary, I had him stay there and watch over her for a few days.”

She shakes her head. “This is so fucked up.”

“Did she give you any details about the dinner? Tell you anything that was discussed?”

Liza swallows hard. “She didn't remember that much. Maybe that was the point of giving her booze.”

I swipe a furious hand over the back of my neck. “Fuck. Why was she even there? What possible reason would Anatoly have to bring your seventeen-year-old sister to a dinner with bratva members?”

Pain flickers across Liza's face. “It’s how Anatoly controls me. He knows how much I love my sister, how protective I am of her. He uses her to keep me in line, which is why I need to go home and fix this mess.” She hugs her body as if she needs to protect herself. “My mother just called and made it very clear that if I don't come home and marry Anatoly as planned, he'll marry Sofiya instead, with my parents’ blessings.”

“Jesus fucking Christ,” I growl. “Sofiya is still a kid.”

A fresh tear slips down her cheek. “She’ll be eighteen soon.”

Fuck me. Boris and Anastasia Ivanov have sunk even lower than I thought possible, pimping out their daughters for money and power.

I grasp Liza’s jaw, wanting her full attention for what I’m about to say next. “I will always protect you and your sister.” I drop a tender kiss on her lips. “I won’t let anything bad happen to either of you.”

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