Page 97 of Thorns of Death

He shrugged. “She made it back to Russia.” I knew he wouldn’t expand. “And you’re not going alone. I’m not risking losing my bride on the first day of my marriage.”

I rolled my eyes. He knew me too well while I was left in the dark about him. How could I trust him when he was keeping secrets? Although, I was tempted to tell him I actually kept my word.

“I don’t trust you,” I murmured, keeping my guard up. “You forced me to marry you. You’re keeping secrets from me and leaving me in the dark. I cannot trust you.”

Was I convincing him or myself?

He must have read something on my face, because he pushed his fingers through his hair, tugging on the thick strands.

“I’ll earn your trust,” he vowed. “But I won’t apologize for arranging this marriage. You were made for me and we both know it.” I shook my head, ignoring the sinking feeling of disappointment. The tightness in my chest sent warning flares again. “When I believe you’re ready to hear the secrets, I’ll share them with you.”

That was where he was wrong. That wasn’t only his call to make, and whether he liked it or not, I’d unravel those secrets and drag them all into the light.

Husband or not.

THIRTY-THREE

ENRICO

When Kingston called me with the news, I knew I’d have to let Isla go to her sister-in-law and be there for her brother.

She’d regret it otherwise.

But fuck if I’d let her go alone. Kingston tried his hardest to convince me no Marchetti should step foot in Russia, especially with Sofia Volkov making her moves, but I ignored him. He knew I’d go, so I wasn’t sure why he wasted his breath.

I couldn’t demand that Kingston accompany us. I knew his limits and Russia was it. So I did the next best thing. I called up Kian and his crew and had them meet us in Moscow.

Kingston wasn’t off base when he said going into Russia was like walking into Sofia Volkov’s den. But I had to do it. For Isla. We’d start this marriage off the right way, and if her brother needed her, that’s where she’d go.

Kian and his men would provide us with protection. Of course, Manuel would come along. He was the only man I trusted explicitly. Kingston came in close second.

“Are you certain pulling in her Brazilian family so soon is wise right now?” Manuel studied me, concerned. The same unease I felt reflected in his eyes.

We were seated in the office, waiting for my sons and wife to get ready. Sleeping in was something they had in common already.

“Kian Cortes isnothis fucked-up brother.” If the head of the Brazilian cartel was her only living relative from her mother’s side, I’d hide her from him at all cost. But Kian was a different story. He was an honorable man, and everyone knew he disagreed with his brother. It was the reason he branched off and kept his distance from his family. “We have threats coming at us from all angles. If something should happen to you or me, Isla will need all the protection she can get.”

“Do you think that protection will extend to the boys too?” Manuel remarked thoughtfully.

I tilted my head pensively. “Only if Isla accepts them. Kian has no allegiances to the Marchetti line, aside from his niece. If she demands protection for them, I have no doubt that Kian will protect them.”

Manuel let out a sardonic breath. “The girl might not know it yet, but she has already accepted them.”Cazzo, the thought of Isla being a part of my boys’ lives made my chest tighten. It made my feelings for her skyrocket. “You might be right,nipote. Connecting her with Kian Cortes is a smart move. She’ll have his and Konstantin’s power behind her if shit hits the fan.”

The door swung open and my sons stormed through, ceasing all conversation.

“Papà, is it true?” Enzo demanded to know, his voice getting deeper by the day. Amadeo wasn’t far behind. They were growing up way too fast. “We’re going to a hostile country?”

“Allora, boys. Firstly, Russia is Isla’s home country. That’s where she was born.”

My eldest’s cheeks reddened a bit. He liked Isla. He didn’t like her Russian connection. “She’s American. She told us that herself.”

Amadeo smacked his older brother on his back. “Idiot, she lied to us.”

“She didn’t lie,” I corrected my youngest. “She is American. She grew up in California. She went to school there, but she was born in Russia. Her brother is the Pakhan and both of you will show respect.Capisce?”

The two shared glances. “So she’s a mafia princess?” Enzo asked.

“Damn, Papà. You scored big,” Amadeo chimed in, grinning like a shark. I was fairly certain my youngest got my brother’s impulsiveness too. Enzo and Amadeo seemed to alternate traits depending on the occasion. “It’s going to be impossible to top that. But we’ll try. Maybe we’ll tap some royal ass.”