Page 19 of Bound By Hate (Born in Blood)

I sigh and slump onto the bed, pulling her into my arms. “I didn’t mean to snap. But you have to know not everything is about looks. Gleb and Aleksander may be handsome, but I don’t trust either of them. Neither is worthy of me. I need a man who will marry meandbe worthy of me.”

“So, where are you going to find that man?”

I already know.

The moment I saw Damien, I knew he’d make a good choice for a husband. Wealth and status. And he has the reputation as Mikhail’s rival now. That’s more than good enough for me.

I just need to find him and convince him to marry me before I’m forced to choose between Gleb and Aleksander.

“I’m going out,” I say, standing up. Mila jerks back.

“What? Going where?”

“I’m not sure yet. But I’ll find out.”

I wait until the party is over and all the men have left, including Aleksander. I can’t believe him. Trying to force me to marry him. I didn’t even think he liked me.

I know Gleb is staying with us, just down the hallway. I heard him go into one of the guest bedrooms while I was waiting. I also can’t believe him. If I thought Aleksander didn’t like me, Ireallythought Gleb didn’t like me.

But who cares about them?

I’m going to find a man much more worthy.

It’s not hard to leave. The guard stationed outside the penthouse isn’t worried about me. Mikhail isn’t my husband. I just smile at the guard and keep walking.

With a quick internet search, I find a club Damien Petrov owns. Seems he’s not in the shadows as some other Bratva men are.

Using the money I brought with me, I take a cab to the club. Once I enter it, I doubt for a second if I’m doing the right thing. The club is packed with people dancing. I hate it. Sweaty people and loud music. Ugh.

But I refuse to let any man dictate my life, so that’s why I’m doing this.

My eyes land on Damien near the back of the club. He’s almost on some sort of stage, sitting in a chair, overlooking the clubgoers below.

I march right up to him but get stopped by a guard before I can reach him. “Damien?” I yell.

He gives me a lazy glance before looking back at the dancers. “Yes?”

“I’m Viktoriya Morozova. Sofiya Ivanov is my sister.”

That gets his attention, and he looks at me more closely. “I saw you at Mikhail’s house.”

“Yes. I was there.”

“I saw a pretty blonde I liked. Wasn’t you.”

I try not to flinch. “I have two sisters.”

“Must have been one of your sisters, then.”

This is not going as I planned. “I need to talk to you.”

“About what?”

“I’m looking for a husband.”

“Good for you.”

I sigh and try again. “I am the eldest daughter of Denis Morozova. I am a great catch. Any man would be lucky to marry me. Maybe even a man who’s looking to grow his enterprise. Maybe a man like you.”

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