Page 76 of Promised to the Killer

“I’ve had to.” Which is true. My life’s been one long trial by fire. “But while we have a few minutes of privacy, I need to ask you about something.”

“Anything,” she says and tilts her head quizzically.

I have a strange knot in my stomach. I don’t remember the last time I was nervous to speak with my mother this way. I love my family, even if I am an outsider living among them, and my mother’s always been the closest thing to a true parent I’ve ever had. She loves me, truly loves me, and I cherish that very much.

“It’s been four weeks since Siena came to live with us.”

“It’s been that long already?” She frowns slightly. “I hadn’t even noticed. She’s like a regular fixture at dinner already.”

I nod and take a long sip. Siena has fit right into our evening meal. She jokes with Galina and Emiliya, teases Jasha, and even verbally spars with Feliks. His intense dislike of her has abated somewhat. Even Father seems charmed by her—sometimes.

Things are good. Extremely good. I don’t want to change them, but there’s a timer hanging over my head and I can’t wait much longer. Not after Siena’s brother visited.

“There’s something I haven’t told you. I brought Siena home as my mistress, but I also made a deal with her father.” I clear my throat and sip the tea. The heat bolsters some of my confidence and I push forward. “I promised that I would marry her.”

Mother’s eyes go wide. She slowly places her cup down. The proprietor appears, hurrying over with cookies dripped in dark chocolate on a plate—where the hell did he get those from?—and Mother waves him off.

“Please, a moment,” she says.

“Of course, miss, yes, naturally.” He bows and storms off, mumbling and cursing to himself in Russian as he disappears into the back.

If I’d known it was that easy to get rid of him, I would’ve just done that.

Mother watches me. All her kind charm drains away, and what’s left behind is the scheming and clever wife of a bratva Pakhan. She loves me—I’m sure she does—but she’s also survived in this world longer than I have. She knows the rules, and she understands what I’m saying to her.

I misled Father. I made a deal with another mafia family without his consent. And I’m asking her to help me smooth all that over.

It’s a risk. It’s a massive fucking risk, and I don’t know if she’ll do it. If she doesn’t agree, this whole situation can turn sour instantly, and I don’t know if I’ll survive what comes next.

I don’t know if Siena will survive either.

But I wouldn’t do this if I weren’t sure it was for the best. And if it comes down to a fight, I’ll make sure Siena walks away—even if I don’t.

“What were you thinking?” Mother asks, chiding and sharp. It’s not an accusation. She sounds like she really wants to know.

“It was the only way to help her. I couldn’t think of a better solution at the time.”

“Marriage.” She shakes her head. “To the daughter of Don Bastone? Your father will be livid, Maxim. You know that.”

“I know. There’s a reason I’m here talking to you and not him.”

She lets out a bitter laugh. “Yes, because I don’t have the authority to kill you on the spot.” She sighs and shakes her head. “Not that I would. But you know your father.”

“Yes, I know him very well.” I shift in my seat again. I can’t seem to sit still. I’m not sure if it’s the caffeine from the tea or just my nerves. “I’m here to ask for your blessing and your help. Father listens to you.”

“Not as much as you think.” Her voice drops and she gives me a hard look. “Really, Maxim. I like Siena. We all do. But marriage?”

“It’s the only way. Don Bastone gave me six weeks to make it happen, and we’ve already spent four. I’m running out of time.”

She sighs heavily and smooths her dress. She shakes her head and mutters in Russian—stupid fool men making stupid fool decisions—and gives me a sharp look.

“Do you want to marry her out of obligation, or do you want to marry her for her?”

I open my mouth and close it again.

That’s the question, isn’t it?

Three weeks ago, I would’ve said obligation and obligation alone. Siena is attractive, but she’s only a Bastone. I couldn’t possibly devote my life to her.

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