Page 28 of Forbidden Vows

“I still need to marry a Donovan, just not the one I’m currently engaged to.”

“You’re out of your fucking mind.”

“That’s my child growing in Eileen’s womb, and it’s her father’s support that we need.”

“What about Sergei? He’s already set to marry her.”

“Hence why I need your support.”

Andrei goes quiet for the better part of a minute. His gaze wanders across my office as he thoroughly analyzes the facts of our situation. It’s quite simple, actually. Sooner or later, Ronan Donovan will find out about Eileen’s condition. And so will Sergei. They’ll both know it’s not a Kuznetsov baby, and it will put Eileen in an extremely tight spot. I could keep my mouth shut about it, but my honor and my heart demand that I do something.

Besides, the pregnancy is the perfect excuse for me to back out of the deal with Ciara. I want Eileen. As much as I’ve tried to deny it, I need to be honest with myself and admit it. I’ve wanted her since the night I rescued her. She’s taken up permanent residence in my mind.

“It’s going to get messy,” Andrei warns me.

“I need your help, so it doesn’t get bloody, too,” I say. “We can handle messy. We can also handle bloody, but we’ll lose our seat at the table if it gets to that.”

“We stand a better chance holding on to it with just messy,” he agrees with a slow, tentative nod. “Yeah, I hear you. We’ll need a multiple-angle approach, and a much better offer for Ronan.”

“Something enticing enough to help him get over his injured pride,” I add. “I’m well aware.”

“You really want her, huh?” Andrei shoots me a half-smile, amusement twinkling in his eyes as he unbuttons his jacket.

“I do. And I’m going to get what I want.”

“I believe you,” he says. “Let’s just make sure you don’t burn bridges and take the Karpovs down with you in the process.”

I’m concerned about that, too, but I don’t express that to my brother.

I see her every time I close my eyes. I can still smell her perfume on my pillow back at the penthouse, even though the maid service had changed all the linens. It’s the ghost of Eileen that lingers in my life, embedded in my senses. As I watched her collapse while walking down the aisle, unable to take her in my arms and protect her, unable to care for her, something snapped inside of me.

I’m not letting Eileen out of my grasp ever again.

“Sergei will be out for blood,” Andrei warns me.

“I know.”

I’ll be ready for him when the time comes.

Chapter 9

Anton

The next day, I pay Ronan a visit at his office across the street from the Marriott Marquis. The building has been in the Donovan family for generations, long before there were any other hotels on the block. It’s well-guarded and heavily surveilled, but as his guest, I’m given easy access.

“How’s Eileen doing?” I ask Ronan as I settle onto the guest sofa. His assistant has left us a fresh pot of coffee and an assortment of pastries on the table in front of us for the meeting.

He gives me a curious look. “I thought you’d be more interested in how Ciara’s doing.”

“She’s not the one who was taken away in an ambulance yesterday.”

“Eileen is fine.”

“Good; I’m glad to hear that.”

“Ciara isn’t happy about any of it, though.”

“I would imagine you’re having a hard time reconciling the sisters right now,” I reply with a bitter smile, but Ronan isanything but amused.

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