Page 94 of Untamed

“Yeah.”

I need to get this out of the way. Lay it all out.

Be ready to chase her if she tries to run.

“They gave me an ultimatum, and I know which one I’m going to pick.”

Licking her lips, her gaze meets mine. In the distance, a dog barks and a clock ticks on the mantle.

“And… what’s that?” she asks in a whisper. “Rodion…”

“Your post drew out our enemies. They were able to identify my location and yours. It’s not good.”

“Oh shit.”

“Yeah.”

“You knew I was Bratva, but I don’t think you understood the consequences, what that meant—” Shaking my head, I go on. “But I’m not going to blame you. I was the one who pursued you. I was the one who convinced you to spend time with me.” I look away from her. “We only have two choices, and I won’t hurt you, Ember.”

Her wide green eyes register mild surprise but nothing more.

“And the other choice?”

“Marriage. Immediately. You and me.”

She acts like I’ve just prodded her with a hot brand. She leaps off my lap as if burned. “I can’t marry you, Rodion. Are you serious right now?Marriage?”

I grab her hand and yank her back down. “Dead serious. You can, and you will because I won’t allow the alternative. But listen—” I gentle my voice. I can’t snap at her.

She shakes her head. “No.I won’t marry you. I can’t. Look at the trouble I caused today?—”

I take her by the shoulders and shake her. Her hair bobs around her face as she shakes, trying to get away from me, but I hold her tight. “Thereareno other choices, Ember. I won’t hurt you. I won’t lose you because of this bullshit.”

I let her go as if she’s on fire. I hate the way she’s staring at me like that.

I brush a hand through my hair. “It’s temporary. We marry, show face at the Romanov gala, and this blows over. We look atit as temporary. And then, after things settle down… we go our separate ways.”

Chapter 21

EMBER

“Well, that escalated quickly.”The calm tone of my voice doesn’t match the energy of the rapid beating of my heart or the way my brain short circuits at the wordmarriage.

Rodion snorts. This is probably going to be our downfall, not gonna lie. Never taking things seriously enough. Honestly? That’s why we’re in this situation to begin with.

I swallow hard and try to talk, but I don’t know what to say or how to proceed.

Why does it make me fearful to hear the word “marriage” but want to cry when he follows that up with “temporary”?

I never thought I wanted to be…married.

Most especially to an actual man of the Bratva.

“Is that what you want?” I ask, my voice hoarse. “To get married on a temporary basis like we’re two drunk, horny bastards at an Elvis chapel in Vegas?”

“Of course not.” His voice is husky. I can’t tell if he’s angry or emotional or what. “You’re the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen. And I don’t care that we haven’t known each other for long. I feel alive when I’m with you. And for the first time in my whole life, I… feel like I can actually imagine a future with someone. But I can’t force you to love me.”

Could anyone? And does love have anything to do with this?

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