Page 70 of Arranged Control

“What is she to you? Why are you doing this?”

“You have one week to decide. And then I will take a life. You are only alive because I know they will simply marry her to one of your brothers, and the cycle will continue. You can save them all, Seamus. Make the correct choice.”

“Who the fuck are you?”

The laser dot disappears. Molchanie’s shadow fades backward. I count to five before running after her, but I don’t find a trace of the assassin anywhere, only an empty back room and quiet all around.

Vanished into nothing.

I walk slowly back to my car. I’m seething with rage. I’ve never been treated like this before.

I have to admit, I’m knocked off balance.

No part of me doubts what Molchanie said. If I don’t leave Alina, then Molchanie will start killing people I love. She will murder my family members, no doubt in my head. My brothers, my parents, people I’m truly close with.

But I can’t leave Alina.

Not just for alliance reasons, although that’s a huge consideration. If we got divorced now, Ruslan will be livid. My father won’t be happy either.

It could easily start a war.

Ruslan’s not exactly known to be the most rational leader in the world.

But more than all that, she’s my wife. I said the vows. I made the promises. I slept in her bed and got used to her breathing at my side. I want to see her when I come home at night. I want to hear her in the mornings.

Molchanie wants me to give that all up.

But that feels like ripping off a piece of my own body.

I don’t know how to save my family without ruining my marriage and potentially starting a war.

Chapter 22

Alina

Ibarely get any sleep. Seamus tells me not to worry, that he’ll be home late, but still. I spend half the night staring at my phone, wishing he’d call and let me know that he’s okay.

The sun’s coming up by the time the locks on the front door rattle. I’m yanked from sleep and only realize I passed out on the couch when my husband comes into the kitchen.

His shoulders are slumped. He looks like a truck fell on his head. He doesn’t notice me at first, at least until I drift toward him, hugging myself and worried out of my mind.

“Seamus? Are you okay?”

He looks at me, and I swear, it’s like he’s seeing a ghost. “I’m fine.”

“What happened? At the meeting?”

He stares past me. “Nothing. Don’t worry about it.”

I open my mouth, trying to form a response to that insanity.Nothing?! Don’t worry about it?!He shuffles away toward the stairs before I can say anything.

“Hold on, where are you going?” I hurry after him. “You just met with some super Russian assassin. And you’re just going to tell me it wasfine?”

He doesn’t look at me. “Pretty much.”

“But what did he say? Why did he leave me a note?”

“Molchanie is ashe, and we didn’t talk about that.”