Page 44 of Brutal Mercy

“She won’t have a choice. It goes with being part of this family.” And it’s the part that is hardest for me. Because I know our sister. She won’t want to but will do it because it’s required of her.

Ares strokes his chin, contemplating me. “Do you think Roman will go for it?”

“I do. I’m heading up to call him after I shower. You coming?”

“No. I’m going to hang out here to keep an eye on him. I can contact my team to scout the fortress. See if they can get a bead on her sister’s location and the activity.”

“I’ll inform you when the meeting with Roman is going to take place so we can get the compound prepared for visitors.” A meeting in my formal office is free from government surveillance with the steps we take.

“Good enough.”

I leave my brother and head to the showers. When I’m finished and dressed in a fresh suit, I walk the long distance to the elevator. The small slice of time gives me a chance to prepare for the upcoming conversations I’m about to have. They’re necessary to take the cartel down.

Of the two, it’s my sister I worry about most. Roman is first and foremost an opportunistic businessman. Once I hand over Paulo and offer Athena in marriage to unite our families against a common enemy, he’ll agree to my terms.

But Athena could be a problem.

And that’s why the moment I get back to the house, I go searching for her. She’s in her office, on the computer.

Her head whips up when I enter, and she grins. “News has spread fast and furious over the airwaves of your sudden marriage.”

“And?”

“It’s the juiciest bit of gossip this town has seen in a while.”

“Good.” It means Diego knows about our marriage and is exactly what I wanted. “But that’s not why I stopped by. It’s time, Athena.”

“Time for what?”

I exhale any guilt I feel. “For you to uphold your role in the family and do what I’m about to ask you to do. And I’m only asking to be nice.”

Shock rolls over Athena, but she covers it quickly enough and crosses her arms defensively. “Who the fuck are you making me marry?”

“Roman Orlov.”

Athena digests the news about as well as I expect. “Fuck you, brother. I’ll do it, but then I’m done. No more favors called in. Nothing. Nada. Zilch. Because you’re making me marry a man I don’t want.”

I squelch whatever guilt I feel by giving her this concession. “Understood. But you know we all have our parts to play. And unfortunately, this is yours.”

“It’s an archaic tradition,” she snaps, her eyes blazing with fury.

“It will cement an alliance with Orlov and ensure we win this war with the least amount of casualties on our end.”

“How soon?”

I hate this, truly, but there’s no way around it. That’s what being the head of this family requires: that I make the hard decisions regardless of the difficulty level. Because at the end of the day, I want her happy. But it has to take a back seat. “I’m heading into my office to arrange a meeting with Roman. I’ll keep you updated, but the nuptials will likely occur in the next forty-eight to seventy-two hours. We’ll do it up big later with a wedding ceremony, the dress, and the whole shebang. Once we win.”

“Whatever. I don’t need a big wedding to a man I don’t want.” She shrugs mulishly.

“It’s not for you, but the media. And just think of all the gifts you’ll receive.”

She exaggeratedly rolls her eyes and replies drolly, “You say that as if it’s enough for a lifetime sentence.”

“He could surprise you.” I know my wife has. The thought of her has my blood simmering. And I want to ignore my responsibilities, head up to our bedroom, and spend hours fucking her.

Athena snorts and brings my attention back to the matter at hand. “I’ll believe that when I see it. And not a moment before.”

“Oh, and don’t do anything stupid, like try to leave the compound and escape the country. My men have strict orders not to let you leave.”

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