Page 12 of Midnight Wedding

My brother laughs. I like his laughs. Always have. He’s got a good, infectious one, and I think it’s like half his charm. Get him going and everyone around him is suddenly in a good mood.

We’re opposites like that. Tigran’s the charming and outgoing brother, while I’m the ugly brooding one.

“What do you think Saro’s doing right now?” Tigran asks.

“Either snorting himself to death or acting tough in front of his guys. Probably both.”

“Where did Auntie Nare go wrong? He had so much potential.”

I snort and shake my head. “I watched our idiot cousin eat a worm from the gutter for a dollar one time. Remember when he shot himself in the foot?”

“I never said he was smart.” Tigran frowns and takes another long drink from his cup. “When you’re dumb as mud, the only place to go is up.”

“Nah, you’re wrong about that. When you’re that dumb, all you do is drag everyone else down to your level.”

“Guess you’re right about that.” Tigran stretches and leans his head against the window. “That stupid asshole. I still kind of like him.”

“Even though we’re going to put a bullet in his head?”

“I’ll like him even as I pull the trigger.”

That’s my soft little brother. He’s got a big heart but even bigger loyalty. He’ll do what’s necessary with a smile on his face.

“Saro deserves it. He never should’ve gone against me, much less against meandUncle Garen.”

“Speaking of which.” Tigran leans toward me again. “You see your future wife yet?”

I grimace and don’t reply. I’ve been doing my goddamn best not to think about that little arrangement.

Ever since I took over as thepatronof the Armenian Brotherhood, my life’s been one constant bloody battle after another. Maybe half the existing captains decided to stick with me, and the rest were split between my idiot cousin and my ruthless uncle. Slowly though, Saro’s been losing support, while Garen’s only entrenched himself further.

It’s an ugly stalemate. If I had it my way, Garen would be choking on his own blood right now. But instead, I’m meeting him halfway and marrying a girl from his side of the organization.

Once I’m married and my traitor cousin Saro’s in the ground, the Brotherhood can start to heal. I’ll be thepatron, the main boss and leader, while Garen will be my right hand and Tigran will be my left. The Brotherhood will be united again, and we’ll be able to begin the long process of healing our wounds and growing our power._

But for now, there’s more blood to spill.

And some fucking random girl to marry.

“Come on, you know you’re curious.” Tigran waggles his eyebrows. “Think Garen’s going to saddle you with someone ugly?”

“He’s not that stupid.”

“Yes, but he is definitely that vindictive.”

Tigran’s got a point. “It’s irrelevant. I’m marrying this girl to end the war. That’s all that matters.”

“Yeah, yeah, but you gotta live with her, right?”

“Allegedly.”

“Live with her, fuck her, have babies with her?—”

“You’re getting ahead of yourself.”

“Haven’t you even thought about any of this?”

I glare at my brother. “Of course I have,” I say, even though it’s a complete lie.

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