Page 10 of Hating the Bratva

I swallow. “Yeah, sure.”

I look to Stella for help, but she continues cleaning the kitchen as if she hasn't heard anything. I leave the Pop-Tart on the island and follow after my mom. What the hell could they want to talk about? Did they find out that I’d kissed Alek last night? They couldn't have. The only way they'd know is if Alek told them, and there's no way in hell that happened. We turn the corner and head down the hall until we end up in front of my dad's office. Mom opens the door and gestures for me to come inside. My dad sits in a leather chair behind his desk. A drinking glass is next to him. My dad never drinks anymore, not even when we're at one of those events where the liquor flows like water.

“What's going on?” I ask, looking between my parents.

“Take a seat, Delaney,” he says.

I shake my head. “No way. What’s—"

“For once in your life, will you listen?!” he barks, causing both me and Mom to jump.

“Denis,” Mom hisses in a warning.

Dad uses two fingers to massage the bridge of his nose.

“Delaney, please sit down,” he says, softer this time, but I pick up on his Russian accent that he lets slip. He's good at keeping it hidden in public but not so good when he's drinking. I lower myself into the chair across from him. Silence fills the room before he speaks.

“As you know, it's a tradition that a man is chosen for your hand in marriage.”

My shoulders visibly relax. This is it? They're going to tell me that Alek and I will be getting married. But it can't be that easy. If it were that simple, the tension in the room wouldn't feel so suffocating. My parents like Alek. My marriage to him is no surprise. I wait for my dad to continue. He downs the rest of his drink before staring right into my eyes.

“You will be marrying Ivan.”

My body goes ice-cold. I must have misheard him.

“Ivan requires a wife.” There's that name again. Ivan. Not Alek. This can't be true. Something’s wrong. There's been a mistake. I swear my heart stops beating. Dad keeps talking, but I can't hear a word he's saying. The room starts to spin, and then everything goes dark.

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