Page 116 of The Billionaire's Baby

"So that’s what your frequent trips to the UK were for?" I scowl at my brother. "And here I thought, you had a woman."

"That too." Niko’s features harden. Of course, my oldest brother is every bit as much of an a-hole as my previously soon-to–be but no longer to-be real husband here… No, probably worse, in some ways, given he’s been groomed to take over as the scion of the most powerful organized crime syndicate on the West coast… And likely soon, this side of the pond as well.

"So, you two met, found kindred spirits in each other, likely fought each other, I am guessing, and that was the beginning of a beautiful relationship?"

"Relationship?" Arpad and Niko glare at each other with something like distaste.

"I can assure you there’s no relationship between us…" Arpad retorts.

"Unless you count the fact that both of you are part of the Bratva?" I snarl

Arpad winces, "There is... That..."

"You're right," Niko adds, "but we wanted something more binding."

"So, you asked him to seduce me?"

Niko draws in a breath.

Roman's face hardens.

Victor shifts in his seat and my father explodes. "Your brother asked his friend to take care of you."

"How?" I jut out my chin. "By marrying me?"

"Yes," my father snaps.

"Do you see how insane this is?" I throw up my hands. "My family goes behind my back, and asks someone who is a complete stranger to wed me?"

"He wasn’t a stranger to us," my father points out. "Also, the war between the Bratva and our enemies was escalating in LA. We needed you out of there."

"You could have asked me to leave."

"Would you have left the country if we'd asked you to?"

I bite my lips.

"I thought not." My father nods, "We knew him and trusted him to keep you safe."

"He was one of us, yet part of the mainstream," Niko interjects. "The kind of man who could protect you. The kind we hoped you'd fall for."

"So, you asked him to contrive an excuse to make me move to London and then get me to marry him?"

"It would’ve worked out for everyone."

"Everyone but me." I twist my lips. "This..." I point my finger at him, "these meddling ways of you guys is exactly why I chose to leave."

"You can't blame your family for trying to protect you," Arpad interjects.

"Was that the only reason you agreed to this...this deal?" I turn on him. "What else did they promise you in return for marrying me? Did they promise to help you track down whoever was responsible for you and the Seven being kidnapped?"

Silence around the table.

Arpad stares at me with something like pride in his gaze.

"Oh, no," I shake my head, "no, no, no." I groan. "This isn’t happening." I left my country, tried to forge a path of my own. I’d been so sure I’d be able to shake off the grasp that the Bratva had on me. I’d been so clear that I’d avoid the kind of arranged marriages that are common among the children of the Bratva, and all along, I had been manipulated by my family. I am being coerced into the exact kind of arrangement that I had sworn I’d never fall into, and… By the man for whom I have developed feelings. He’s been hiding things from me all along. If that isn’t the start of the makings of a disaster, I don’t know what is.

My stomach protests again and bile rushes up my throat. "Excuse me," I gasp, "I think I am going to be sick."