Page 8 of Unveiled

The cold look in his eyes is unwavering. “You’ll be quiet now. I gave you your turn to speak, which was more than you deserved. Now it’s my turn.”

Strong fingers encircle my wrists, his grip unyielding yet controlled as he effortlessly restrains both of my hands in a single one of his.

Damn.

My chest heaves, and no matter how hard I fight it, heat ripples across my skin. He may be a monster, but he’s a beautiful one.

Up close, he’s overwhelming, every inch of him exuding raw alpha male and unfettered masculinity. The faint shadow of stubble along his jaw only sharpens the angles of his face. I can see that though his eyes are distant, there’s a smoldering fire in their depths behind his fortress of control.

In seconds, I take it all in—the black fabric of his shirt clinging to the broad expanse of his chest, his strong arms and torso, the way heat and power radiate off him like a predator ready to strike.

I open my mouth to tell him off again when he taps my lips with his free hand. “I said it’s my turn, little Anya. You’ll be quiet and listen to me now and not speak again unless I giveyou permission. If you do, I’ll gag you and give my men a show. Understood?”

My mouth drops open in outrage, but he continues. “You came in here uninvited. Disrespected me in front of my men. You think you know all about my world and who I am, do you?”

Leaning in so close. I stare at his perfect white teeth that he bares at me like a wolf with barely restrained energy. My eyes dip down. His hands are clenched.

He's holding himself back. My heart thumps.

“Let me tell you something, Anya,” he says, low and calm. “First, behavior like this will never go unpunished. You crossed a line, and there will be consequences.”

Fear claws at my chest when the grip on my wrists tightens to painful. I can see the scar that runs across his hand from the night his parents were killed, and he tried to save them.

“And second. You really don’t understand anything about my world. But you’re about to learn.”

I shake my head as if I can deny it and somehow make him hear reason and fall to his knees, repentant.

What did I actually expect from him? I didn’t think that far ahead.

“Call Rafail,” he snaps at someone to his left, who leaps to his feet, his phone already at his ear. “I want him to know what I’m doing next.”

Oh god. Rafail is the familypakhan,his oldest brother, the beast that rules his family and Moscow withan iron fist.

“There’s only one way to ensure your family’s safety and settle this debt, Anya.”

I stare at him. So he’ll consider it, then? I may have lost my temper and come barging in here, but maybe he’s actually listened to me? Maybe he has a shred of humanity in him after all?

“You mean there’s a chance?” I ask, unable to keep the hope out of my voice.

“A chance to keep what’s left of your family intact?” His words are sharp, laced with condescension that cuts deep. I hear the insult loud and clear but force myself to ignore it. I have to. I won’t get a second chance.

He nods, his gaze unreadable. “Yes. But a chance your outburst and disrespect will go unpunished? No.”

Fear skates down my spine. I hold his gaze, but his expression remains stonelike, a mask of calm authority that makes my stomach twist.

His voice drops, each word deliberate and heavy. “You’ll marry me.”

For a moment, my world tilts. I blink once, twice, my mind scrambling to catch up. Surely I misheard him.

I’m… stunned. Marry my mortal enemy?

“Marry you?” The words tumble from my lips. It doesn’t make sense. Itcan’t.Why? Why would he say this? Why would he even want this?

He doesn’t answer right away, and the silence stretches. The weight of his gaze and his words keep me rooted in place.

Leave my baby brother to the mercies of my alcoholic father and whoever decides to take advantage of him?

“I…” My voice falters, and I make myself swallow the lump rising in my throat. “You can’t be serious.”

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