Page 91 of Sweet Deception

Maria’s lips parted slightly.

“I won’t divorce Anna. Not for you, not for anyone. You’re beautiful, I won’t deny that, but you’ll find your own man someday. My family can demand all they want, but they can’t force me into another marriage.”

Maria’s jaw tightened. “They need an heir. And your wife isn’t producing one.”

Gleb smirked. “Were you not well informed? The issue isn’t her, it’s me. I haven’t consummated this marriage. But when I do, she’ll bear as many heirs as I please.”

Maria’s expression shattered. She had nothing to say to that.

“Are you two in love?” she asked, voice quieter now.

“It’s a marriage of convenience,” Gleb said easily. “But as husband and wife, we respect each other’s boundaries.”

His eyes darkened. “I hope after this meeting, you’ll respect yourself and return to Italy. Don’t make yourself the villain in this story.”

Maria stood abruptly. “I have my self-respect, and I won’t force myself on a man who doesn’t want me.” She turned to me. “I’ll tell Mama and Papa how much their daughter has changed.”

She spun on her heels, but Gleb’s voice stopped her.

“Maria.”

She turned.

He stared at her, cold as ice. “I don’t care how long you stay here before you leave, but if you make my wife’s life difficult, I will kill you.”

Maria’s nostrils flared. “Excuse me?”

“You heard me,” he said flatly.

Maria scoffed. “You wouldn’t dare. My father took Yegor and Arseny hostage just for sending me here. If anything happens to me, they’ll die.”

Gleb leaned back, unimpressed. “Like I care.”

Maria forced a smile, but there was a flicker of unease in her eyes. “I know you’re the king here, Gleb. But don’t forget who my father is.”

Gleb arched a brow. “Your father? You mean the man who threw you to the wolves?”

Her jaw clenched. “He’s still powerful.”

“Not here.” His voice was low, dangerous. “In Russia, your father is nothing. And if you push me, you’ll be even less.”

“You wouldn’t dare lay a finger on me.”

Gleb snapped. He lunged across the table, grabbing her by the throat and slamming her down onto the dishes with a violent crash.

I gasped. “Please, let her go!”

Maria clawed at his hand, kicking wildly. “You psycho!”

“Don’t think being a woman will save you,” Gleb growled, pressing harder. “You don’t get to talk to me like that.”

I grabbed his arm. “She’s my sister, Gleb! Please!”

Slowly, I pried his fingers away.

When he finally let go, Maria coughed, pressing a trembling hand to her throat. Her fingers curled into fists. “You’ll regret that,” she forced out, but there was a flicker of something else in her eyes. Fear.

“Maria, just go,” I whispered. “You don’t know what you’re getting yourself into.”