Page 61 of Sinful Lies

“You’re not a guest. You’re a fucking liability.”

“You’re not the first person to call me that.” I run my hand through my hair.

Massimo grunts but waves at one of the men behind the bar who gets to work making us both a drink.

“Why areyouhere?” He hands me a rocks glass filled with vodka before taking the seat opposite me.

“I wanted to offer you my apologies in person.” I twist my wedding ring around my finger.

Massimo’s eyes narrow as he takes in the thin platinum band.

“I didn’t realize I had to send you a save the date.”

“It seems you missed quite a few people off that list, including your own brother,” Massimo retorts. “Not hiding something, are we, Koslov?”

I say nothing, sipping on my drink as I notice one of the men behind the bar reaching into the inside pocket of his jacket.

Here we fucking go.

“He was unaware of your engagement when he made a deal to marry you to my daughter.”

“I don’t like to share everything with my brothers.”

“So it would seem.”

I take a drink, my eyes darting to the two men behind the bar who watch me warily.

“I assume you’re familiar with the situation that went down with my family and Mario Gilanto last year?”

Massimo nods, taking a sip of his drink.

“Not only did he kidnap my brother’s wife, but he also took mine. She almost died, so forgive me for wanting to put a ring on her finger before it’s too late.”

Massimo scoffs. “Took you a year to get her to say I do?”

“Binding yourself to a Koslov takes some thought. I wanted to make sure she knew what she was getting herself into.”

Massimo is quiet for a moment, his right hand moving to rub his scarred jaw.

“I don’t take well to being blindsided, Koslov.”

“It was an honest misunderstanding. I’m sure Lucia is a wonderful girl.”

“Too good for you.” He huffs. “But it seems Bellucci got to your eldest brother first.”

“Alexei is a popular guy.” I chuckle.

Massimo sets his glass down on the table before reaching into the inside pocket of his jacket.

My body tenses, my right hand itching to mirror him, but the moment I pull my weapon, I’ll have a room full of men opening fire on my ass.

I have to play this right.

“I’m sorry it didn’t work out with Lucia. Though really, it might be a blessing in disguise. I’m not sure I’m the best son-in-law material.”

“Enough with the fucking jokes, Koslov.” Massimo pulls a silver handgun out of his pocket and sets in on the table between us. “If I get so much of a hint that this marriage isn’t legitimate…” His blue eyes flick to the weapon.

“You’ll shoot my fucking brains out. Yeah, I know the drill.”

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