Page 66 of Forbidden Vows

“I’m making the rounds all over Chicago to officially announce my engagement to Sergei Kuznetsov,” Ciara says. “It feels like the right thing to do.”

“With your father still gravely ill?” I ask, raising an eyebrow.

She gives me a wry smile. “Anton, darling. It is my father’s desire to see me married and well settled before he passes.”

“My God, Ciara. He’s not dead yet!” Eileen snaps.

“No, he isn’t, but it’s not looking great either,” she says, her voice trembling with emotion. “He wanted to see both of us married, and I’m doing this for him. Sergei and I set a wedding date for next month. We were going to wait a bit, but Dad wanted it sooner rather than later, just in case. His words, not mine.”

Eileen sighs heavily, tears brimming in her eyes.

I reach for her hand, giving it a soft squeeze. “Congratulations then, Ciara,” I say.

“You will be receiving an invitation soon. I approved the design earlier this morning. They should be ready to send out by tomorrow afternoon.”

“Thank you. Eileen and I will be honored to attend.”

“Eileen is going to be a guest, not part of the wedding party. I’ve already selected my maid of honor and my bridesmaids. I wanted women I could trust.”

Eileen nods. “That’s fine, Ciara. Whatever makes you happy. And congratulations on the engagement. We’ll be happy to be there on your most special day.”

“One more thing,” Ciara says, her tone lower, colder. “I had an interesting conversation with Sergei and Dad last night overdinner, and I thought you and Anton should know. He plans to challenge the Karpov leadership soon.”

My blood runs cold.

I thought I’d put a lid on that. I still have the support of the bigger and more powerful families, but whatever this stunt is, it leaves a sour taste in my mouth.

“Sergei told you that?” I ask.

“Yes.”

“And what did your father have to say about it?”

“Dad would never support—” Eileen starts to speak, but Ciara cuts her off.

“Dad said it’s the Bratva’s issue to deal with, not ours. We’ll support whoever sits at the head of your table, no questions asked.”

“Why are you telling us this, Ciara?” I ask, carefully analyzing her expression. There’s a hint of fear in her eyes and a nervous twitch at the corner of her mouth. It’s subtle, but I still notice it. “Sergei is your future husband. He might consider this a betrayal.”

Ciara gives me a hard look. “Futurehusband. He’s not my legal husband yet. And Eileen is still my family, despite our animosities. You’re now my brother-in-law. I thought you might find the information useful, whether you can do anything about it or not.”

“What about you?” Eileen replies, visibly worried.

“Sergei’s intentions aren’t exactly a secret. He never asked me to keep my mouth shut about it.” Ciara tries to shrug it off. “I trustthat he’ll get what he wants, one way or another. I just didn’t want you to be blindsided, that’s all.”

“I appreciate that,” I say. “Thank you, Ciara.”

“For the record, you don’t deserve this olive branch,” she replies.

I nod slowly. “I do not, yet you give it, nonetheless. Someday, I will repay the favor,” I tell her. “In the meantime, please reach out for whatever you might need, be it for the wedding or anything else. I want you to know that this,” I add, gesturing around me, “will always be a safe space for you, no matter what.”

“I’ll remember that.” She takes a deep breath and puts on a pleasant smile. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to visit the Fedorovs next.”

“Will you be telling them about Sergei’s intentions as well?” I ask.

“No. That was for your ears only.”

I give her another nod as Ian politely escorts her out of the mansion.

---