Page 119 of No Promises, No Lies

“No offense,” I mutter at the sight of his single raised eyebrow.

Oh, I’ve done it now. My father strides forward, the back of his hand rising. I lift my chin and take the hit hard, the force of it throwing me to the side.

He moves to hit me again, but that’s the moment Cole chooses to speak up. His dark, velvety voice fills the office with an air of command, “Once was enough.” To my shock, his words stay my father’s hand and his eyes shoot me a dark promise before he drops his hand to his side.

But I’m not done. Pushing myself back up to my feet, I use the back of my hand to wipe the blood from my lip. “What’s the matter, father? Afraid what might happen if I don’t go with Cole tonight?”

Cole’s eyes flash a warning, his protection only going so far as my father gapes at me, shocked by my sudden insolence. “Aurora, Angel, you going with the Italians is in everybody’s best interest?—”

“Everybody’s best interest?” I cut him off and his eye twitches, “Or yours?” I dig deep for the inner rage I keep buried, drawing it up to give me the strength to continue.

My father stutters, unprepared for my defiance and grappling with Cole’s already expressed displeasure at him for my physical punishment. “I don’t—what are you?—”

“Volkov.”

My father’s mouth snaps shuts and I know without having to look I have Cole’s full attention.

“Did you think I didn’t know about your business with the Volkov Bratva, Papa?”

Adrik pales and a couple beads of sweat appear on his brow, “I won’t hear this nonsense. You do not know what you’re talking about… just a silly little girl.” He rushes forward, wrenching me by the arm, dragging me toward the door. Just before he reaches the door, someone slams it shut in our faces.

Both of us turn to find Cole’s dark expression glaring down at us.“What about Volkov?” His tone is dangerous and I lose a little bit of my nerve staring up into his dark eyes. My father seems torn between trying to force his way out the door and knocking me out to keep me from running my mouth.

I clear my throat as best I can, but my voice still comes out with a rasp, because of my nerves. Banking only on the hope that when I finish, Cole will let me live—a small mercy, I start, “My father got into business with Volkov.” Everyone knows the merciless and volatile Russian gang currently wreaking havoc over in Russia and, most recently, New York.

Cole looks to my father, who appears to be recovering from his initial bout of panic. “I did. Of course I did. It was smart business sense.”

“But, it wasn’t—” I counter, “because you didn’t deliver. And now you owe them. Which is why youhaveto sell me.”

My father’s eyes glint with malice, “I won’t hear any more of this. These are the words of an insolent daughter.”

I go to open my mouth, but my father cuts me off, continuing, regaining his arrogance with every word, “Aurora, let’s make one thing very clear. You are a daughter of the Bratva. Being a daughter of the Bratva means you have certain obligations. You don’t get to choose.I choose. I own you untilIdecide who to give you to. Do you understand me?”

I grit my teeth at his words, especially the ones claiming he “owns” me.

“You will have everything,” a smug smile appears on his face, “Just as soon as you marry a man of Cole’s choosing,” He waves a hand like we can be done with all of this. “I’ve heard enough. You will not weasel your way out of this marriage. Again.” His glare laced with violence.

Instinctively, I inch closer to Cole—not my best survival tactic—considering, Cole is far more dangerous than my father.

“I’m not marrying anyone. I can’t!” My voice rises, tired of being overrun by my father.

“And why not?” his voice booms with rage.

“Because I’m already married!”

Silence.

My father’s face slackens before it twists into anger. “Who—?” he demands, before his eyes widen, answering his own question, “The O’Rourke boy?” He seethes, “A fucking Irishman?” He takes a menacing step towards me and I retreat.

“Suka,” My father spits at me, but then he laughs, “You thought that would save you?”

I tense.

“You think that’s aproblem? Can’t be married to two men, can you now?” My father’s anger has reached a level never before seen, and he’s spiraling, a maniacal look in his blue eyes. “Not a worry. I’ll take care of thatproblemright now. You’ll be a widow by the hour’s end!” A malicious smile twists my father’s face as he leans forward, “Wouldn’t want it to be too quick…”

He takes one step toward the door.And then another.

All sound cuts out and the only image playing in my head is one of my father killing Aidan. The image of his blood on my father’s hands has me seeing red. I spin, lightning fast like on the ice, grabbing hold of Cole’s gun, ripping it out of the holster just inside his jacket.

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