Page 6 of Bratva Brother’s Bride

She shakes her head. It sends a little spray of water splashing across my shirt. I suppress a shiver at the sudden chill and tighten my grip on her wrist.

Vera tugs her wrist free. I release her, but she doesn’t try to step away. Instead she stares up at me with doe-like eyes, lips parted. She looks so damn tempting, all I want is to pull her against me and crush my lips to hers.

“I don’t know anything about a ledger,” she murmurs. “Dmitri never talked to me about his business.”

“Maybe not directly, but you were there.” I lean in closer, close enough that my breath stirs the damp strands of her hair. “Help me find it.”

“Why would I do that?”

“I can protect you.”

She laughs again. “Protect me from what?”

Oh, innocent woman. If only she knew half of the chaos Dmitri’s death has started. It must be nice, to be so naive.

I say, “From the people who are going to come looking for you. Dmitri had enemies, and now that he’s dead, they’re going to turn their attention to his widow. You’re vulnerable, Vera. You’re alone in a house full of his people, with no one to watch your back.”

“I have my father.”

“Your father is a drunk who gambled away everything he had. He won’t protect you when Anton Grishin decides he wants Dmitri’s assets.” I pause. “Which includes you, by the way.”

Her breath hitches. “What?”

“Bratva tradition. A widow remarries within the family to keep the assets together. Anton’s been positioning himself as Dmitri’s successor. He’ll expect to marry you within the year.”

“That’s insane.”

“That’s the way it works.” I step back slightly, giving her space to breathe. “Unless you have someone else protecting you. Someone with more power than Anton.”

She stares at me. Her eyes search my face, and I can see her mind working through the implications.

“You,” she says slowly. “You’re offering to protect me.”

My grin is slow and satisfied. “I’m offering you a deal. You help me find the ledger, and I’ll allow you to stay with me while I take what’s mine.” I pause. Then, “When it’s over, you walk away with enough money to disappear.”

She gapes at me, lips parted.

I hold her gaze. “So tell me, Vera. Do we have a deal?”

3

VERA

He must be insane.

Roman’s words echo in my head as I stand there in the cold mausoleum. For a moment, I can’t even speak. The words won’t come.

“You’re out of your mind,” I blurt finally.

Roman’s mouth curves into something that might be a smile. “Maybe, but that doesn’t make me wrong.”

The rain has stopped completely now. Through the small window, I can see pale sunlight breaking through the clouds.

People will be heading to the house for the wake, expecting me to be there. Expecting me to play the grieving widow while they drink Dmitri’s expensive liquor and tell lies about what a great man he was.

My stomach turns at the thought.

Roman is still watching me. That makes my stomach turn even more, though there’s an intensity to his gaze that sends a thrill right through me.