Page 6 of Banner

“I’ll start the coffee,” she says, heading for the backroom.

“Coward,” I tease.

She waves over her shoulder.“Damn right, I am.”

Enzo is a jerk on the best of days and his attitude has only gotten worse lately, so I don’t blame her.

Still giggling, I turn toward the office when suddenly the front door crashes open, sending shards of wood exploding around me.My body tumbles forward, and I land with a thud on my knees.

“Ow,” I hiss, twisting onto my bottom as the debris under me digs into my skin.

“Sophia!”Nova cries out, rushing over.She barely makes it three steps before stopping in the doorway at the sight of Ivan Romanov and his two gorilla goons standing in the middle of the shop.

“Ivan,” I breathe.My brother may have promised him my hand, but he doesn’t own me or my shop.My eyes narrow.I won’t give in without a fight.

“What the fuck is going on in here?”

Enzo.

I’ve never been more relieved to hear his voice than I am at this moment.“Sophia.Go into the back!”

My feet slip on the linoleum as I quickly scramble up and around the counter.Nova grabs my hand, and together we hurry into the back.

“She’s not your property yet, Ivan.Alessio won’t be happy about this,” Enzo shouts.

Nova tries to hide her reaction, but it’s too late.I see her pity.“It’ll be okay.You’ll see.”

I nod my head, wishing she were right.Long minutes pass before Enzo makes an appearance and judging by the look on his face, he’s pissed.

“Taking off was stupid, Sophia,” he snaps, his face an angry shade of red.

“I know.I’m sorry.”I’m surprised to find that I mean it.If he hadn’t shown up, I don’t know what Ivan would have done.

“I’ve called your brother and filled him in.He’s requested your presence at dinner to discuss another matter.”

Great.

“Okay.”

“Let’s get this mess sorted,” he offers.I’m thankful he isn’t his usual asshole self, and if I’d thought harder about it, I’d have realized this was the first clue that something worse was brewing.

* * *

“He's waiting for you in his office.”He always is.Ignoring Gio, I head down the long hallway to my brother's office.

“Knock.Knock,” I say, stepping inside the luxurious space, surprised to see my other brother Niko and my sister as well.I move closer and wrap my arms around Niko’s neck and squeeze.He’s my favorite.Never once has he blamed me for our father's infidelities.Alessio and Monica, on the other hand, have never hidden the fact they hate me.I’m their father’s bastard daughter and the reason their mother took her own life.

“Sophia.Have a seat,” Alessio instructs curtly, pointing to the chair in front of his desk.

I look to Monica for a clue as I sit but other than her usual catty smirk, she gives nothing away.

“The wedding with Ivan is off and you'll marry The Butcher.”Instantly my breath catches.

My eyes dart to Nico.I’m confused by the pity etched across his face.

“Ivan has brought trouble to our door and you'll stay away from him,” Alessio demands.I never wanted to marry that monster in the first place.However, my mind is reeling.The Butcher?

“Banner will be here tonight and you'll marry in three days.”

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