Page 24 of The Brutal Arrangement

She held her hand out for a shake, and I eyed it warily.

I didn’t know her long enough to determine whether her word would count for much.

But if I did this and she screwed me over, I’d tell my “husband” the truth and still get out of it.

For you, Mom.I swallowed hard and accepted Katerina’s hand to shake it firmly.

I’m doing this for you, Mom.

And I could only hope it wouldn’t be my biggest mistake yet.

10

DAMON

The next morning, I went to find Maxim in our father’s office.

He glanced up from his computer and raised his brows.

“I want it over with as quickly as possible.”

He nodded once, not needing any further information. Last night, we discussed the arrangement Thomas Kozlov and Father made many years ago. I explained that he could count on me to do my duty in keeping the family informed and safe. If he felt that bringing Katerina Kozlov here would give us leverage or an advantage over Anton—someone who very well could’ve been behind Father’s poisonings and Nik’s capture, among many other grievances—then I would go along with his leadership. Even though he had stepped up as the eldest brother so far, I had to admit the role suited him. He was a boss. He was my leader. And should Father not recover any more than he had thus far, then Maxim truly was aPakhanworthy of following, no matter what.

“Anton’s representative has replied with the stipulation that no member of the Kozlov family will attend any kind of nuptial meeting or ceremony.”

“No wedding?” Grandmother entered the office, sounding alarmed at what she had to have just overheard. Only she could get away with breezing in and out of any old room in this building. And only she would give a shit about the conditions of my marriage.

“No wedding,” I confirmed dryly. “I just want this over with as soon as possible.”

She furrowed her brow, coming to stand next to me as she clasped her hands in front of her stomach. Dressed in a sharp pantsuit, she looked professional and regal as ever. “I understand that, but we have to plan for some kind of a wedding or?—”

“No wedding.” That time, it was Maxim’s turn to state it, also dryly. “What would be the point?”

“What do you mean?” she replied, clearly exasperated.

“We’re not exactly in a celebratory mood, Grandmother,” Maxim told her.

“Father was poisoned and that investigation is still ongoing,” I reminded her.

“Nik was captured and could be held hostage or deep undercover,” he added.

“And this isn’t anything to fucking celebrate, anyway,” I said.

“Of course, it is. Weddings are a show of power. A symbol of alignment and?—”

“No, no, no.” Maxim shook his head. “There’s no goddamn alignment happening between the Ivanovs and the Kozlovs.”

She huffed, folding her arms. “Uniting them in marriage is an awfully clear show of getting together.”

“In name only,” Maxim said. “This is a fulfillment of a contract, and nowhere in any of the documents does it require any sharing of goods, services, or wealth between the two parties.”

“But it’s still a marriage. A wedding has to happen to commemorate it.”

I laughed, ready to get the hell out of this office. It was hard enough to think about the fact that I was giving in to be married in the first place. I was walking into a trap. That was all it was, and I’d need to stay on top of the situation and not be duped or manipulated.

WeknewAnton had to have ulterior motives in sending his niece to us. And we would outsmart whatever the hell he was planning.

“It’s a fulfillment of a contract,” I said, borrowing Maxim’s words. “In name only.”

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