Page 15 of Thorns of Love

I watched red creep up her neck and onto her cheeks. Fuck, it was such a turn on to see her blush. It’d never get old. But the look she gave me told me I wouldn’t like her next words.

“I don’t want to get married.” The stubborn tilt of her chin was cute.

“Yes, you do.”

“No, I don’t,” she argued back. “I refuse to be a pawn in your schemes against my brothers.”

I let out a sardonic breath, hating that she wasn’t excited about marrying me as I was about marrying her. I had been dreaming about it for over seven fucking years. I had a priest. She had a wedding dress. We’d get married if I had to speak the words for her.

“Firstly, you and pawn don’t belong in the same sentence.”

“I agree,” she muttered under her breath.

The woman certainly knew her worth. “Secondly, you can marry me willingly. Right here. Right now. Or I could phone one of my men and tell them to pull the trigger they currently have aimed at one of your family members.”

“You motherfuck–”

“Watch how you finish that,” I drawled. “Now, which path do you want to take?”

Lightning flashed in her blue eyes. “Let’s get one thing straight, Illias.” Determination crossed her expression, her attention on me. “You want me to marry you, fine. You’re the Pakhan.” Before I could even relish in the sensation of victory, she shut it down. “However, let’s not forget one thing. Actually several things.” I cocked an eyebrow. Tatiana had some balls on her, I’d give her that. “It seems to me, I have greater power than you do currently, Mr. Pakhan.”

Her sassy mouth needed some punishment and my dick immediately took over while images flashed through my mind. Tatiana naked on my bed, on her knees, looking up at me with those beautiful eyes. It sent a rush of heat to my groin and made my ears buzz with adrenaline.

“And what’s that?”

Tatiana’s eyes were filled with defiance, her pulse in the vein on her neck throbbing. I wanted to wrap my hand around her neck and feel her pulse on my fingers. See her eyes haze over with lust. Maybe with love one day.

“I have the chip,” she reminded me.

“Except you don’t know where it is?” I remarked. “Unless you do know.”

She waved her hand, dismissing me. “Minor obstacle. I’ll eventually find it. And don’t forget, I’m the pregnant one here. Not you.” God, this woman. She’d cost me my sanity. “Without me, no baby and no chip. Seems to me, you should do what I say.”

“Tatiana,” I warned in a low voice.

“However, I do realize there are benefits to marrying you. You can provide safety from the Yakuza.” She paused and dread washed over me. “And I want you to tell me who killed Adrian.”

“What makes you think I know?” I questioned her calmly.

“A lucky guess,” she remarked. “I want to know what happened.”

I shouldn’t be surprised. After all, she wasn’t a meek woman. Regardless of what she went through, she came out stronger than ever before.

“Vasili warned me not to share information with you,” I lied. I didn’t feel guilty. If I told her, she’d rather take this plane down than marry me. “Your doctors indicated you have to remember on your own terms.”

It was a semi-truth. Vasili didn’t say jack crap, but I obtained her therapist's notes. It was clear that Tatiana’s memories from that night were too traumatic to recall. She’d remember them when she was ready.

“That’s bullshit.”

I shrugged. “Doctor’s orders. And your brother’s.”

She scoffed, letting out a frustrated breath. “Like you listen to either one of those.”

“When it’s time to remember, I’ll help you through it,” I told her seriously. “I’ll tell you everything you want to know.” Surprise flashed in those eyes of pale sapphire skies. “Now, no more delays.”

Tick. Tock. Tick. Tock. “Fine,” she muttered.

She lifted her dress, revealing her red Christian Louboutin pumps. Fuck, it was kind of sexy seeing red pumps under that white dress. It wasn’t planned, I was so focused on wedding rings and the priest that I fucking forgot the shoes.