Page 13 of The Bratva's Arranged Bride

I could sate that intrigue of mine…and if I were to marry anyone for my advantage, wouldn’t she be the best choice, anyway?

Sure, I didn’t know her, but there was just something about her. Something I couldn’t ignore.

Still, there was more to it than simply agreeing, surely.

As tempting as it was, I shook my head and sighed. “I can’t give Andrey that satisfaction—surely that’s exactly what he wants. This deal benefits him the most, given the powerful associations it would bring him.”

“Sure, he’d benefit, but wouldn’t you, too? If Tia is what you want, then this seems like a win-win situation.”

I hated how he was only feeding into the growing delusions in my mind—the mounting drive to do exactly that without any regret.

A grin spread across his lips. “Regardless, you’d be doing this for yourself, not Andrey. I have the feeling this isn’t really about the deal anymore, anyway…”

Staying quiet for a moment, I mulled over the suggestion and absently stared at the folder in front of me—at the work I still had to do, yet felt so inconsequential compared to the offer at hand.

As much as I wanted to completely disregard Andrey’s proposed deal, it was growing harder to forget. Knowing him and his motives, it was likely still fully on the table, despite my initial refusal.

The longer Yuri’s words sank in, the more I saw that truth for myself.

While the business was an integral piece, it was also on the back burner, while Tia occupied the rest of that space.

The desire I had to see her and be in her presence again far outweighed the risk of bringing Andrey into the fold. If anything, I had plenty to gain.

Pulling in a deep breath, I released it and looked at Yuri again. “Fine…you’ve twisted my arm.”

He cocked a brow at me. “…Really?”

Nodding, I scrubbed absently at my stubble. “Yes, really. I still need a business partner, and if it gets me Tia at the same time, then so be it.”

“I see your priorities might finally be in order,” Yuri teased, looking far too amused with himself.

Sighing, I grabbed my phone and stood, brushing him off. “I can’t say the same about you. Now go for a minute, I have a call to make.”

While Yuri wasn’t the fondest of being shrugged off, he chuckled and obliged me anyway, heading for the door. “Whatever you say…just talk nicely to your future father-in-law.”

Shaking my head while he left the room, I moved towards the window and found Andrey’s contact.

Thinking of him in that way was undoubtedly strange, but if dealing with him meant earning Tia as my prize, that was how it would have to be.

With a tap on his name, followed by hitting the call button, I brought the phone to my ear and let myself stand in that resolve while I listened to at least two rings pass before Andrey picked up.

“Fedorov, I’ve reconsidered the deal. I’m prepared to move forward with it.”

While it felt like a surrender of my previous convictions, it wouldn’t be all bad.

One way or another, I was going to have her.

Chapter 6 - Tia

It was difficult to remember the last time Dad called me twice in the same week, let alone right after going out for the evening together.

We had an unspoken understanding between us: he had his work, and I had mine. There wasn’t any pressure to reach out unless one of us needed something. More often than not, it was him calling in the occasional favor or two, or checking to make sure I was still alive.

The two of us were both busy, and while the check-ins felt somewhat obligatory, I was used to the limited contact.

But the fact that he was calling me again so soon after the charity gala struck me as strange.

It wasn’t unwelcome, but unusual.

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