Page 6 of Cruel Honor

“No reason.”

I look at her closely, but she keeps her eyes wide and innocent. It’s something she learned to do with our father. Act like an angel and he would treat her like one. But I know there’s a little bit of the devil inside Katya. There’s a whole lot of devil inside me.

On the surface, we don’t look alike. She’s blonde hair and fair whereas I’m dark haired and tan. We share the same father but different mothers.

That doesn’t change the fact that we’re family. I protect my family even if it means controlling Katya so she doesn’t go out and do something stupid.

That’s my job.

“Fine,” I grumble, tossing her phone back at her. “Just don’t get into trouble.”

“Why are you throwing a party? I don’t think you’ve ever thrown a party in your entire life.”

I open my mouth but am interrupted by the doorbell. Our housekeeper, Lizzie, answers it, and then I hear the voice that haunts my nightmares.

“Oh, Dimitri!”

It’s Tatiana.

I push down my growl as Lizzie leads Tatiana into the living room then leaves because Tatiana isn’t her problem. She’s mine.

“What are you doing here?” I demand.

“I’m here to start the wedding planning.”

“The WHAT?” Katya exclaims, jumping to her feet, which is impressive in her stiletto heels. Why she insists on wearing them around the house, I’ll never know.

Tatiana gives Katya a smug smile. “The wedding. Your brother and I are getting married.”

I can feel Katya boring a hole into my head, but I keep my eyes on Tatiana. “Sure. We’ll start the wedding planning, but I’m a little busy right now. So, why don’t you head back home, get started, and we’ll discuss it later.”

She stomps her foot like a fucking child. “But I’m here now.”

“Look, Tatiana, we fucked. Once. That doesn’t give you the right to come into my home and act like this.” I’m one to talk. I’m always going into other people’s houses uninvited and making myself at home. Just ask my business partner, Nikolai.

Katya watches this exchange like it’s a soap opera. and she can’t take her eyes away.

“But—” Tatiana starts to whine, but I grab her shoulders and gently nudge her to the door.

“As I said, I have work to do. And I trust your decisions.”

“You do?”

“Yes. Plan the wedding however you want.”

“Yay!” She throws her arms around me and pecks my cheek. I grimace and push her off me. Fortunately, she doesn’t notice as she bounces out the front door.

I turn to Katya, who doesn’t say anything. That’s a first for her. “Say it.”

“You’re getting married!?”

“No.”

“Well, she”—Katya nods at the door— “seems to think so.”

“Ok. Her father, Abram, is forcing me to marry her. I took her virginity.”

“Oh, god, Dimitri. Tatiana is a Bratva daughter. You don’t do that to Bratva daughters. I should know. That’s why you refuse to let me date.”

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