Katarina

“Do we have a deal?” The dark soulless eyes of my fiancé bore into mine as he stands in front of me, feet spread wide. I’m tall for a woman, but he towers over me.

Not that I’m intimidated. I’ve known men like him my entire life.

Animals. Criminals. Beasts of carnage and opportunity.

Hell, I was raised by the worst of the worst. My father, head of one of the largest Bratva families in Russia, would slit my throat if he thought it would be advantageous.

Instead, he just sold me to this asshole.

I look around at the conference room we’re meeting in on the floor below my apartment. It’s technically an apartment too, but instead of having living room furniture, there is a large conference table with office chairs in the room.

We’re in the kitchen around the streamlined island that fills the space.

“Go over the terms again,” I say, studying the cuticles on my left hand where his ring glitters back at me.

It makes me snort in disgust every time I look at it. But I ignore the urge, focusing on his words instead.

It’s not that I didn’t hear them or understand the words he was saying the first time he said them. I’m testing him. During repetition, people will frequently give you additional information, as they elaborate, explain.

And they’ll expose more of their motivation or their lies.

He lets out a long breath through his nose, his nostrils flaring. Ryker Smith isn’t classically handsome like some of his brothers.

He appears more like the predator he actually is. “It’s like I told you. You sell me your casino for a million even⁠—”

“You’re certain I own one?” Leave it to my father to put the casino he uses to wash his dirty money in my name. He gets all the benefits, I get the consequences, should the government catch on.

“I’m certain.”

“And in return, I don’t have to marry you?” I cock my head, listening intently.

“That’s right.” He leans back, giving off the appearance of casual, but the tension rolls off him in waves.

For me, this is a win/win kind of situation. I get out of the arranged marriage that was another cage of my father’s making and I get the money that would allow me to start a new life.

I know the casino is worth a lot more than a million. I’m not stupid. But I don’t care. I didn’t even know it existed until five minutes ago. It’s like found money on the ground.

And, in selling this property to Ryker, I will fuck my father over. Which is my sole goal in life. And this sale will be just the beginning.

A plan begins to form of how I could use this money to really make my father suffer.

“But what about your deal with my brother? The one where you were sold a separate casino in exchange for protecting me from my father?”

He winces. It’s subtle but it’s there, and I sing with a bit of victory to have elicited the reaction. He just gave something away…

“Well?” I press, knowing I’ve found a weakness and the potential to receive some vital information.

“The deal will transfer—” He stops, his lips pressing into a grimace.

“To?” But my heart rate ticks up a few notches. Because I already know.

“Your sister, Sasha,” he answers looking away.

“You’ve got to be kidding me.” I straighten, my hands clenching into fists as my chin notches and my shoulders expand. Sasha and I don’t have one of those sister relationships where we curl each other’s hair and talk about boys. We don’t even talk that much. But I love her more than any other person on this planet.

She’s intelligent to the point of brilliance, but she’s also obedient and docile. She’s fragile.

I’ve spent my life quietly protecting her. Mostly from our father. The beatings I took so she didn’t have to…

Which is why I’m not sure I can leave her in the hands of this savage.

Ryker’s eyes meet mine. “You think I want to be married to her for life? This is a short-term proposition, that benefits both me and her. She gets my protection, and I get a third casino. Then she can go wherever she wants, do whatever she wishes.”

His words make sense and my shoulders relax but my heart rate doesn’t slow. Likely because I know Ryker’s kind and he’ll say whatever suits him to get his way.

“Do I have your word that you’ll let Sasha leave the marriage if she chooses?” My hand with the ring clenches. Much as I want out of the marriage so that I can go hunt revenge, I won’t leave her exposed. That is a deal-breaker.

“You have it, with one caveat.” His gaze doesn’t waver from mine. “She stays with me until your father is neutralized or dead. For as long as he is a threat, she’s mine to protect.”

I jerk my chin in acceptance because he’s chosen the exact right words to gain my consent. If I can be certain that Sasha remains safe, while I am free to act, both my sister and I win. Because, I have every intention of ending my father’s life one way or another. “I accept.”

“Excellent,” he gives me a rare smile that does little to soften his dark, harsh features. Then he sticks out his hand.

I stare at his mitt of a palm, giant compared to mine, and slowly place my fingers in his. He squeezes my hand, his eyes shining with triumph before he lets me go.

I clear my throat, resisting the urge to wipe my palm down my pant leg.

“Tomorrow, make certain you get into the second car, alone.”

My mouth twitches down. This is where I’m taking a big risk. Alone, I’ll have no protection. Ryker could drive me into the woods and kill me without a single person ever knowing. “Where is the car taking me?”

“Airport.”

My brow furrows. I have two passports with aliases. But using one will certainly be traceable to my father, the one person I really need to hide from. Which is why, I’m not sure the airport is the best idea. “To go where?”

“England,” he shrugs. “Someone I know has a private jet and will be leaving Vegas tomorrow at noon. I’ve arranged for one of the staff to help you hide on the flight. It will make you untraceable.”

I have to give Ryker credit on one front. He’s smart. “Am I going to be in a part of the plane that is not temperature controlled?”

“You are thorough, I’ll give you that,” Ryker says as he quirks one of his shaggy eyebrows. I guess he’s decided I have a few redeeming characteristics too. “But no. You’ll be in an unused bedroom.”

“Bedroom?” Not even my father has that kind of money.

He shrugs. “Successful businessman.”

“And when do I get my money?”

He points at the duffle behind him on the kitchen counter, next to the coffee pot. “Now.” Then he pulls out a manilla folder from underneath the bag. “Or at least, right after you sign the contracts.”

“And after I arrive in England?”

“Go wherever you wish.” His tone changes. Darkens. “But I’d recommend traveling quietly. Pay in cash, use trains.”

I hold out my hand, the ring catching the light as I take the folder from him and open it, reviewing the documents.

I’m no lawyer, but they’re reasonably straightforward.

One side of my mouth twitches down into a frown as I consider for a moment. I don’t feel great about any of this.

Then again, if I’m going to accomplish the impossible, the first thing I need is freedom. It’s that simple.

Drawing in a deep breath of air, I pick up the pen he’s slid across the counter and sign my name next to the X.

Silently, he hands me the duffle. “Sasha will need your dress. Make sure it’s in the other car.”

The words make my stomach queasy. The dress I bought for myself was never meant for my sister.

She’s petite in every metric and it will hang off her. “She ought to wear a dress of her own choosing.”

“No time for that,” he answers with a shake of his head. But I hear the change in his voice again, and I know this isn’t about time.

“Does anyone know about your bride switch besides me?” I ask, knowing that there are parts to his plan that are not as well intentioned as he made them seem.

First, I know for certain that he isn’t making this change for my benefit. And I’d like to believe he just saw an opportunity for cheap Las Vegas real estate. But if that is true, why aren’t any of his brothers here?

“Not your concern,” he answers, sliding the contract from in front of me, back across the counter where he tucks it away. “I’ll keep my word concerning the safety of your sister. Your father won’t touch her.”

“And who is going to keep her safe from you?” I ask, crossing my arms.

“I’m not the kind of man who hurts women,” he says, his lip curling in distaste.

My brows lift. “You just take advantage of them when they’re in precarious situations?” I slowly lower my eyes to stare at the contract in his hand, then look back up at him.

I see the way his face tightens, and I know I’ve landed a blow. To his credit, my father would have backhanded me for those kinds of words, but he only tucks the folder under his arm, then hands me the duffle. “I’ll see you back up to your apartment.”

By that he means he’ll make sure I get past all the layers of security. They say all the guards and locks are for keeping my father out.

But Sasha and I agree, they are just as much for keeping us in.

Only, I just found a way out. And Sasha…

My chest tightens. My sister is trapped. Then again, she’s more fragile, like I said. Maybe this is exactly where she needs to be.

Or maybe, I’m just trying to make myself feel better.

I haven’t been the best sister to her, if I’m honest. But of all the people in my life, she’s the one person who has never tried to fuck me over.

Which means, if I make it out tomorrow, I owe her…

And I’m going to pay up, by securing both our futures when I turn our father to rubble and ash.

Revenge is a dish I’d like to serve red hot.

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