Page 22 of Arranged with Twins
“Leo—”
I kiss her forehead briefly, keeping the gesture light and impersonal. “Get some rest. Tomorrow we’ll figure out how to handle everything.”
The ride back to my estate gives me time to convince myself this was the right decision. What happened tonight was a mistake, an impulse that could jeopardize everything both our families need from this arrangement. By the time I arrive home, I’ve constructed a dozen reasons why keeping things strictly business is the only logical choice.
Ilya is waiting with news that reinforces my decision.
“Katherine Cooper has been busy,” he says, handing me a tablet loaded with social media posts and online articles. “She released engagement photos featuring a different ring and gave an exclusive interview about your ‘whirlwind romance.’”
Though I already know this, my anger grows as I scroll through the coverage, noting how thoroughly Katherine has rewritten our story. According to her version, I surprised Sienna with a traditional Tiffany solitaire after a romantic dinner, and we’re both thrilled to be planning a classic, elegant wedding. She mentions Sienna has “preselected” a few designers to interview, listing them. Nadia Bloom isn’t among them.
“She’s completely ignored the ring I actually gave Sienna,” I say. “She’s ignoring that Sienna wants her friend to design her dress. She’s just running roughshod over both of us.” That takes balls. I’m not used to anyone trying to manage me, but I don’t respect her bravery. I question her foolishness as my anger continues to build.
“She’s created a narrative that makes you look like a traditional romantic and Sienna like a grateful, compliant bride.” Ilya settles into the chair across from my desk. “Classic manipulation. She’s controlling the story before either of you can contradict it.”
“Which proves that getting emotionally involved would be a mistake,” I say, more to convince myself than to inform Ilya. “This arrangement is too important to let personal feelings complicate it.”
Ilya studies me carefully. “What happened tonight?”
“Nothing that changes our objectives.” I sound dismissive and struggle to ignore the dart of guilt accompanying the words. “The contracts still need to be signed, the security still needs to be implemented, and we all still need this alliance to work.”
He frowns at me, looking concerned. “That’s not what I asked.”
I pour myself a scotch, using the ritual to avoid his probing stare. “Sienna and I had a disagreement about the terms of our arrangement. It’s been resolved.”
His shaggy brows inch upward. “Has it?”
I shrug and take a sip of the scotch. “It will be. I’ll make it clear that business and personal matters need to remain separate. She’ll understand.”
“Will she? From what I’ve observed, Sienna Cooper isn’t the type of woman who accepts dismissal easily.”
He’s probably right, but what’s the alternative? Let myself fall for someone whose father is drowning in debt to dangerous people? Risk the safety of my organization because I’m attracted to a woman who deserves better than the life I can offer her? Neither option is acceptable.
“Set up a meeting for tomorrow morning. Ten o’clock. We’ll review the contracts properly this time, and if necessary, I’ll explain why maintaining professional boundaries is necessary for everyone involved.”
“What will you do if she disagrees?”
“She won’t. Sienna is intelligent enough to understand that mixing business with pleasure rarely ends well for anyone involved.”
Despite our crazy and impulsive moments of passion, I need to prioritize the arrangement over personal desires. The safety of both our organizations depends on maintaining clear judgment and tonight proved I’m at risk of losing that clarity where Sienna is concerned. I can’t allow that to happen again, and by tomorrow, she’ll probably have reached the same conclusion.
7
Sienna
Iwake up to a text message from someone named Ilya that makes my stomach clench with irritation.
“Meeting with Leo at 10 a.m. this morning. He’ll be at your penthouse.”
It’s not a request and certainly not a “would you be available for a meeting?” Just a statement of fact, as if my schedule exists purely for Leo’s convenience. I check the time and discover it’s already nine-thirty, which means I have barely enough time to make myself presentable before he arrives.
The memory of last night crashes over me in waves. The argument about contracts and security that led to anger shifting into something electric and undeniable. The feeling of Leo’s hands on my skin, his mouth on mine, and the intensity of being with him in a way that felt completely honest for the first time since this engagement began lingers.
That memory is followed by the way he left afterward, pulling away both physically and emotionally with a kiss to my forehead like I was a girl who needed comforting rather than a woman he’d just been inside of.
I drag myself out of bed and into the shower, trying to wash away the confusion and hurt that’s been building since he walked out my door. The hot water helps clear my head, though it does nothing to erase the memory of how different he became after we finished. It was like he flipped a switch, becoming distant, like what happened between us was a mistake he was already regretting.
By the time I’m dressed in jeans and a cashmere sweater, trying to look casual rather than like I spent an hour analyzing every detail of our encounter, Nadia is buzzing my intercom.
