Total pages in book: 80
Estimated words: 78627 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 393(@200wpm)___ 315(@250wpm)___ 262(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 78627 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 393(@200wpm)___ 315(@250wpm)___ 262(@300wpm)
My mouth is bone dry as I whisper, “Yes, Papa.”
“Good.” Mr. Aslanhov gestures at the tray. “Have some of the medovik, Karlin. Tiana baked it this afternoon.”
I watch as Karlin helps himself to a cup of tea and a slice of honey cake. Staring at the man, I try to find any glimmer of hope that he’ll be a good husband. I know it’s too soon, but I can’t help it.
“During the next two weeks, you’ll join Karlin for dinner every other night. As soon as Misha returns from his honeymoon, we’ll have the wedding.” Mr. Aslanhov instructs.
Two weeks? How will I get to know the man in such a short time? It’s only six or seven dinners.
Knowing I can’t argue and I have to find a way to accept my fate, I nod.
Maybe I’ll be lucky, and Karlin will be a good husband.
I look at him again and find his cold eyes locked on me with an expression that says he hopes I taste as good as the honey cake.
My body tenses even more, and my hands are clenched tightly on my lap.
Mr. Aslanhov waves a hand toward the door, dismissing me.
Remembering my manners, I stand up and try to smile at Karlin. “It was a pleasure meeting you.”
It was anything but a pleasure.
He nods. “Be ready at seven tomorrow night. Don’t keep me waiting.”
“Yes, sir,” I answer automatically. I didn’t mean to call him sir, but the fear coiling in my body makes it impossible to be informal with the man.
Laughter erupts from Karlin as he glances at Mr. Aslanhov. “At least the mouse will be entertaining.”
Mr. Aslanhov doesn’t find the comment amusing and pins Karlin with a harsh look. “Men would kill for a woman like Tiana. Show some respect.”
Hope trickles into my chest. Maybe Mr. Aslanhov will change his mind.
“You can go, Tiana!” Mr. Aslanhov snaps.
As I hurry out of the office, I don’t miss the wrathful look Karlin shoots my way.
My heart hammers in my chest as I rush toward the kitchen, where Mrs. Aslanhov waits for me with a questioning gaze.
“How did it go?” she asks.
She knew?
Why didn’t she warn me?
When I don’t answer her, she pats the table. “Sit, Tiana.”
Shocked, I drop down in a chair.
“The business Mr. Makarova will give the bratva is important. Just do everything I taught you, and you’ll be okay.”
I nod, then get up again to check on the cupcakes.
“Don’t bother Misha on his honeymoon. It’s not your place to tell him of the arrangement. Leave the business to the men,” she warns me.
I nod again.
I’ll wait for Misha to return, not because I’m ordered to do so, but because I don’t want to ruin his honeymoon with Aurora.
At least they won’t marry me off while he’s gone. I’ll go along with everything for the next two weeks, and hopefully, Misha will stop the arranged marriage once he finds out about it.
I know I’m not allowed to interfere with bratva business, but Misha won’t let me marry a cruel man.
I calm my emotions and racing heart and focus on cleaning the kitchen while I wait for the cupcakes to be done.
“Karlin is a wealthy man,” Mrs. Aslanhov informs me.
I don’t care about money. I only want a loving home I can call my own.
“You’ll get used to the idea.”
I doubt that.
“Yes, Mama,” I say obediently, hoping it will set her at ease so she’ll stop talking about it.
“I’ll help you with your hair tomorrow. You want to look pretty for your first date.”
“Thank you.” I open the oven and remove the cupcakes. Setting them down on a cooling rack, I force a smile onto my face. “I’m going to do my laundry.”
She nods, and her eyes follow me out of the kitchen.
Once I reach the safety of my bedroom, I check my phone to see if there are any messages from Misha. My smile turns real when I see two, and quickly opening them, I look at the photos of him and Aurora smiling where they’re standing on a beach.
Misha: The wifi is spotty where we are. If you can’t reach me, call Armani.
I quickly type out a reply.
Okay. Don’t worry about me, and enjoy your honeymoon.
Just then, a message pops up on my screen, and when I see it’s from Armani, my smile widens for a moment.
Armani: Did you get home safely?
Tiana: Yes. Thank you.
Armani: Do you need anything?
He holds no power in the bratva, so I don’t bother telling him about the arranged marriage. Besides, I don’t know him that well to share something so personal with him.
Tiana: No, but thanks for asking.
Armani: Have a good night.
Tiana: You too.
I stare at our exchanged messages, wishing the arranged marriage was with Armani instead of Karlin.
Chapter 6
Armani
Needless to say, I can’t focus on training for the life of me.