Page 34 of Forbidden Vows

“Eileen, someday you’ll understand. I can’t force you to see things from my perspective. You still lack the emotional maturity. Unlike your sister, however, you also lack a single inkling of obedience that would ensure your survival, which is why we’re doing things this way. For your own good.”

“For my own good.”

“Yes. You’re pregnant and momentarily unwed. The father is the head of the Karpov family and the current top seat in the Bratva. The mess you find yourself in is of your own making,” my father coldly reiterates.

“I didn’t get myself pregnant,” I mutter.

“True, but I can’t take that up with Anton without starting a war. And that’s not what any of us need right now. So, whether you like it or not, you’ll do as you’re told, Eileen. You’ll marry Anton Karpov; you’ll bear children and move on with your life. And you’ll secure the Donovan legacy. It’s either that or destitution.”

“Destitution?” I ask, my eyes widening as I stare at him.

My father calmly swirls what’s left of his whiskey in the glass, then downs it all at once. “That’s right. I will cut you off. And I think you know me well enough to understand that it’s not a threat. Your sister will be glad to have more of my fortune all to herself. But you’ll be miserable. And one way or another, you’ll crawl back to me and beg for mercy. So, save yourself thatdespair and protect the child you’re carrying. The kid shouldn’t be blamed or suffer because of your choices.”

“Wow, laying on the Irish Catholic guilt pretty heavy there. I guess I shouldn’t be surprised.”

“You’re damn right!” he shoots back. “Now, go rest. Eat well. And take good care of yourself. You’re going to be a mother and a bride. Lord knows, I need some peace before I head out tomorrow to try and mend things with Kuznetsov.”

Chapter 12

Anton

“You look happy,” Andrei says.

“What makes you say that?” I innocently ask.

He gives me a smooth grin as he sits across from my desk and takes a long sip of his coffee. “You sly bastard. You wanted the other Donovan girl all along, didn’t you? That pregnancy was a windfall for you. The perfect excuse.”

“None of this was planned. That, I can promise.”

“You’re still a slick bastard. You might not have planned it, but you still got exactly what you wanted.”

“You give me too much credit. Eileen unwittingly played her own part.”

“She certainly seems a lot nicer than her stepsister, but she’s also less useful. Pretty sure old man Ronan is grooming Ciara to take over his businesses,” Andrei’s humor slowly fades. “And I’m equally sure that he offered Ciara’s hand to Sergei fucking Kuznetsov to make up for your blunder.”

“I thought we were in this together, brother.”

“We are. I just didn’t think Ronan would pull Kuznetsov back in.”

“Ciara hasn’t said yes.”

“Like she has a choice?”

A heavy sigh rolls from my chest. “It would serve Kuznetsov right to get saddled with her. She’s a spoiled brat.”

“A smart spoiled brat. You’re forgetting that part. You’re also forgetting that she’s not on our side anymore.”

“I still think Eileen has a shot at taking over for Ronan when the time comes. I just need to convince her that she’s capable.”

“Is she?”

I nod with unshakeable certainty. “Absolutely. In fact, I think she could turn the whole Donovan conglomerate into a veritable empire with the right support. I just need to win her over.”

“Sheis carrying your baby.”

“If only it were that simple,” I chuckle bitterly. “I put her at odds with her own family, Andrei. It’s gonna cost me.”

He thinks about it for a moment. “I see the way you two look at each other, though. Beyond that animosity, which, by the way, is merely a façade, there’s something real, brother. She’s anything but indifferent to you.”

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