Page 6 of The Pakhan's Arranged Bride

He was never good at losing when we played games as kids.

I throw Benedikt a quick smile and a wave before I leave the room. I can’t believe that just happened.

I can’t believe I just agreed to marry someone just as powerful as my brother.

Hurrying down the stairs I go to the living room to pour myself a vodka. I need to calm my thoughts. That happened so fast. On the outside I might have appeared calm, but inside I’m in shock, too.

My hand shakes slightly as I pour the crystal liquid into a glass and take a sip.

Benedikt Karamazov. Damn.He’s hot.I’ll be the envy of every girl in Las Vegas. He’s probably the sexiest guy I’ve ever seen.

But it’s not about that. It hardly matters at all. It’s just a marriage of convenience for both of us. He gets his mother off his back, my family gets a stronger alliance—and me? Well, forme, this is far more personal. This is exactly the means I need to achieve my goals.

It’s been bothering me day and night that I couldn’t figure out how to take care of my stepbrother.

I want Miron to suffer for what he did to me.

I want him to spend days in agony, begging for his life, or even better, pleading with me to end it because he can’t take the pain.

And I want him to know it was me.

I want to look him in the eyes and see the shock in his face.

My jaw clenches and my shoulders stiffen when I think about him. I hate him with every ounce of my soul. He disgusts me.

I take another sip of vodka, letting it burn down my throat and hum in my chest.

Marrying Benedikt is a small piece of a large puzzle. A minor inconvenience if it means I can have what I want, my ultimate goal—to destroy Miron.

Benedikt has a reputation for being a massive playboy. He gets any woman he wants, anytime, anywhere. He’s got the looks, the wealth, the charm, the power—it’s easy for him.

I don’t particularly care, though. I will play the role of being the perfect wife to him. He can do whatever he wants with whomever he wants. I guess we can discuss it and define the arrangement when I’m with him in person.

And at the end of the day, he doesn’t need to know what my plans are. If he’s busy living his life and I’m chasing my goals, it means we won’t get in each other’s way.

“Ulyana, is it true?” Lara walks in carrying her son, wrapped up in a soft blanket. She looks exhausted, but still gorgeous in her white sweater and faded blue jeans.

I put the vodka down and pry my nephew from her hands.

“Don’t wake him,” she says with a hint of desperation in her voice.

“I won’t, I promise,” I whisper, staring down at Nikita’s little red cheeks. “Yes, it’s true—about Benedikt,” I say, glancing up at Lara.

“Are you seriously marrying him? Why?”

“Because it’s good for the family.” I smile at her and she tilts her head at me.

“I suppose it’s got absolutely nothing to do with how hot he is?” she smirks.

“Not in the slightest,” I wink, grinning mischievously.

She laughs and shakes her head, flopping down onto a nearby sofa. “I guess you never know where you might find love. I found it is the strangest way. It could be the same for you.”

A loud laugh spills from my lips and I cut it off, tensing as I glance at my nephew. He doesn’t wake. I breathe a sigh of relief.

“I’m not in it for the love,” I say, sitting next to Lara.

“I don’t think it’s the type of thing you plan, though. Or choose. It just happens.”