Page 31 of Ruthless Vows

“Lukas is one of their own. He practically eats out of Volkov’s palm and you think he’ll be able to provide us some objective advice?” Adrian argues.

“He can at least give us an idea of what to do. What do you prefer, Adrian? War with the Bratva? It’ll be a bloodbath. That’s not happening on my watch,” Nico grits out.

My sister’s eyes narrow. “So you’re saying if you don’t find weaknesses and or a way out of this, you’ll let my sister marry that man?”

A muscle ticks in Nico’s jaw and he very slowly shakes his head.

“No, of course not. Lucia’s not marrying him,” he states, a note of finality in his voice. “I’ll do whatever it takes to keep that from happening.”

“Thank you so much, mom and dad,” I say sarcastically. “It’s good to know you’re both very capable of making decisions that affect me and concern my life.”

Adrian pokes my side. “What? You want to marry Volkov?”

“Hell no.”

Later that day, Aurora enters my room. She hasn’t stopped looking worried since Ivan showed up, and I hate that this is stressing her out so much. She’s mothered me all her life and takes personal responsibility for me, which means she won’t be able to relax until this issue is solved.

She doesn’t say anything to me once she enters, instead just pacing the length of my room. Her brown hair is in a messy bun and she’s wearing a loose-fitting yellow dress that stops just above her knees.

“Shouldn’t you be resting?” I ask, staring at her from my position on my bed.

Alejandro’s awake at all hours of the night so she and Nico take every opportunity to crash during the day. I’m guessing they won’t be able to do that anymore considering Ivan’s ultimatum. I feel bad about it. But I shouldn’t because I had nothing to do with any of it in the first place.

Screw Sebastian for making that stupid deal in the first place. I already had beef with him for what he did to Nico and Aurora. It’s a good thing he’s dead.

Screw Ivan as well. I have no idea what he’s been inhaling that’s making him delusional enough to think I’m actually going to marry him.

“Shh, I’m thinking,” my sister says, waving a hand in my general direction. Finally, she comes to a stop and snaps her fingers. “I’ve got an idea. You should leave. Go to Brazil. I’m sureZiaEmille wouldn’t mind having some company for a little while.”

I arch an eyebrow. “Why is your first thought always for me to run away in these situations?”

“Because it’s safer,” she states like it’s obvious.

“I’m not going anywhere, Rory. Plus, our aunt deserves not to be relegated to a hideout anytime shit goes wrong in our lives.”

I spent a couple of weeks hiding out with her last year. I’m not doing that again.

“Okay, fine, but at least leave Chicago. Go to New York. I’m sure Nico can send some men to keep you safe while you’re there. Staying here is a bad idea.”

“I’m not going anywhere,sorella. I’m staying put and seeing this through.”

“That man is trying to force you into a marriage, Lucia.”

“He’s not going to succeed,” I assure her. “Nico won’t let him.”

“While I have the utmost faith in my husband, something about that man bothers me.”

“Who, Ivan?” I ask, his name slipping out way too easily.

My eyes flutter shut at my stupid mistake. One that Aurora does not miss.

“Ivan?” she asks tightly. “Why are you saying his name like he’s your friend or something? The man is obviously a psychopath.”

“Let’s be honest, Rory—in this line of work, they’re all psychopaths.”

She doesn’t argue with me on that, instead coming to sit at my side on the bed.

"He's in his forties, so maybe that's why he's suddenly eager to get married. But does that really justify him trying to pressure you into it?"

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