Page 48 of Innocent Bratva Hostage

“That’s as fair as it can get,solnishko. The choice is yours now.”

She thought for a moment, her eyes wandering from the walls to the ceiling and then me. “Fine, I’ll test the dress orwhatever. I’ll marry you, too, but don’t think I’m doing any of this because I like you. I’m doing it for my father.”

I loved the lies she told herself, how she’d managed to make herself believe the only reason she was agreeing to this was because of my shiny offer. We both knew the truth: that she wanted every bit of this as I did.

I didn’t mind, though; if lying helped her cope with everything, then I was okay with it. “We have a deal then.”

“Pervert!” she muttered as she turned and left the room.

Now that I’d gotten her to consent to our marriage, there was only one thing left. I had to break the news to my cousins, and I already had a feeling Egor wouldn’t take a liking to it.

He’d probably seen through my bullshit the day I told him she was nothing but a pawn.

Egor was smart and hard to deceive. It was one thing about him I admired and hated at the same time.

Regardless of whether or not he’d already guessed that Giselle meant more than a tool to me, it wasn’t going to be easy to convince him to let me marry her.

Grabbing my phone from the nightstand, I sent a text to the group chat.

Andrei:“Anyone free tonight? Let’s meet at the club. Drinks on me.

Miron’s message popped up next.

Miron:what’s the occasion?

Andrei:you’ll find out if you’re present.

I dropped my phone, cracking my fingers and neck as I tried to imagine what their reaction to the news would be.

Miron took things surface-level; he’d joke about it.

Rafayel would be more interested in whether or not I loved her.

Egor was too unpredictable. I couldn’t say what he’d do. But I had to break the news first to find out.

Giselle’s giggles traveled up to my room. It was the first time I’d ever heard her giggle that loudly.

My curiosity was piqued, so I went outside to see what was happening.

Her hands were raised to her shoulder level. She and the designer were discussing something I couldn’t make out, and she looked really happy.

A smile curled on my lips, and warmth spread through my chest. I never thought I would smile at the sound of someone giggling, but Giselle had made many things that once seemed impossible come true.

She had no idea what she meant to me and how much I was willing to risk just so I could have her by my side.

Maybe she’d find out someday.

Another message popped up on my screen. It was from Egor, which was surprising because neither he nor Rafayel ever responded in the group chat.

Egor:8 p.m.

I tightened my grip on the phone, feeling the beat in my chest grow louder.

Tonight, I was going to risk it all.

***

“Are you really getting married to the girl?” Dobryn asked, staring at me in disbelief.

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