Page 52 of Sinful Lies

Fucking great.

“You realize I just got married, right?” I tell Alexei as I head straight for the drinks cabinet. “I’m technically on my honeymoon.”

Danil nods. “How’s that going,brat?”

I glance over my shoulder at my youngest brother and flash him a smirk.

“It was going great, until Alexei decided to remind me of his existence.” I scoff as I pour myself a large vodka. “Surely, whatever this is, you could have handled it without me.”

I grab my drink and head over to the vacant couch opposite Mikhail and Danil, collapsing into the plush cushions and taking a long sip of my drink, shuddering as it burns my throat.

Alexei rolls his eyes, folding his arms across his chest.

“The reason we’re here is because of thismarriage. Massimo got word of your nuptials and is planning a strike against one of our clubs. Apparently, he’s pissed that you ruined his plans to marry off Lucia.”

“Well, I’m pissed that you both decided to betroth me to some pampered princess without consulting me first. How the hell did he think I was going to react?”

Mikhail groans. “I think it’s a little too late to worry about that.”

Alexei throws his arms up in the air. “We are trying to diffuse the war between our two families, not make it worse.”

“Then get one of these two idiots to marry the princess.” I nod at Mikhail and Danil. “It’s probably Danil’s best chance at getting some action.” I smirk.

“I pull plenty of women.” Danil’s cheeks redden.

“Sure, you do,chuvak.”

Danil scowls, which only makes me smile more. He might be almost twenty-six but in my eyes, he’s still an awkward thirteen-year-old.

Alexei takes a sip of his drink. “Massimo was specific in his request. He wanted the most senior member of the Koslov Bratva. As I’m already married, the title falls to you, dear brother.”

“How fucking convenient.” I shake my head.

“Not that any of it matters now, seeing as you’ve pissed him off enough that he’s planning on retaliating.”

“Why don’t I go and speak with Massimo? Convince him that I had kept my relationship with Zara under wraps purely for safety reasons. I can tell him that it was never my intention to break a promise, especially when I had noknowledge of it in the first place.” I narrow my eyes at Alexei. “It might be enough to placate him for now.”

Mikhail scoffs. “That’s your big idea?”

“Let me guess, you want to storm one of his clubs instead and unleash a full out war?”

“Fuck, yes.”

Alexei shakes his head. “Neither of those options are the answer here. He won’t listen to you, Dimitri. I know Massimo, and he doesn’t like to be played for a fool.”

“Your lack of faith in me is insulting.”

“You’ll be wasting your time.”

“Let me at least try.” I shrug. “What’s the worst that could happen?”

My oldest brother groans. “You don’t want to know the answer to the question.”

“Well, lucky for all of us, I can be very convincing.”

I hope.

13

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