Page 3 of Untouchable Queen
That proposal almost sounds…reasonable. If Lucian hadn’t already dragged our feuding empires into an all-out war. I know my father never would have approved of the arrangement—he didn’t believe in bartering his daughters to strengthen ties with other families.But if it will save my sister’s life and stop the abhorrent bloodshed that makes me queasy every time I think about it, then isn’t it my responsibility as pakhansha to protect the men of my Bratva?“You…don’t want to rule my territory yourself?”
“Well, of course I do,” Lucian says coyly, his sculpted lips curling into a beautiful sneer, and it pisses me off to realize that,as much as I hate him, I can’t deny he’s one of the most gorgeous men I’ve ever met. “But that’s why it’s called acompromise. Now, that’s a pretty generous offer—if I do say so myself. But know, this marriagewillbe a contractual alliance, one you will be agreeing to in front of all your men and mine—and the Kings, for that matter. So, I would recommend you take a moment to seriously consider it before you give your answer.”
Another pregnant pause settles over the battlefield as my emotions wage war inside me. I’m not one of those self-sacrificing types. Typically, I prefer strategy to noble martyrdom. If I think long and hard enough, I can find a way around my enemies’ plots. But Natasha has been my family’s ace in the hole for as long as I’ve been concocting strategies. She’s our faceless assassin, our inside man who can take out any bastard who thinks he has the upper hand, and now Lucian’s threatening to expose her to the world. If anyone found out who she really is, it wouldn’t just destroy my sister. It would most definitely get her killed—in the most brutal fashion.
As if he can read my thoughts, Lucian adds, “If you won’t accept my conditions, just remember, I do fully intend to hand thelovelyMrs. King here over to the families she’s wronged over the years. Who knows, maybe I’ll set up an auction and give her to the highest bidder. I bet she’d go for an impressive price. Then I’ll let you watch as they tear her apart. And you and I will both know that you could have done something to stop it—if only you could have set aside your pride and looked at what’s best for your people.”
“I’ll do it,” I state, the answer jumping from my lips without hesitation. “I’ll marry you.” It rips my heart out to think of letting anyone touch my sister, and though I know it’s going to land me in a lifetime of misery, married to a man I loathe, I would rather suffer that fate than watch another person I love die. I can’t do it. I’m just not strong enough.
I can see Natasha’s look of horror, and I try not to think of what she must make of my decision. She’s always been the brave one, the first one to put herself and her safety on the line for our family. I always hoped that, if it came down to it, I would be strong enough to do the same. I just can’t believe that of all the ways I might sacrifice myself, this is how I have to do it. Giving myself willingly to the coldest villain New York has ever seen.
“Today?” Lucian presses.
“Today,” I agree, my throat tight, my heart pounding.
“Ti, no,” Natasha pleads, trying to take a step forward.
I can see the remorse in her eyes. She feels responsible for what’s happening, but she’s not. I’m the one who let her sneak onto Lucian’s compound. I’m the one who allowed her to walk straight into a trap, and I won’t let her suffer the consequences for my poor judgment. Killian was right. I never should have granted her permission to go in alone. Now, I have to face the consequences of my miscalculation because that’s what a truepakhanshashould do. That’s what my father would have expected of me.
“Done,” Lucian says, bringing a ringing sense of finality to the negotiations. “Why don’t you come untie your sister, then? And you and I can head to the church together?”
The church? He can’t possibly intend to marry me today? Now? Could he?But I can’t back out of the agreement. Not without jeopardizing Natasha’s safety. So, chin held high, I stalk coolly up the gravel drive and climb the terrace steps. All the while, I feel as though I’m walking willingly toward my death.
The only thing keeping me on my feet is the hope that Natasha will be safe.
And when the deed is done, I will kill Lucian myself.
I’ve never taken a man’s life before. I abhor the sight of blood. But I don’t know how else to live with my decision. I’ll kill Lucian Agosti if it’s the last thing I do.
“Ti, please,” Natasha whispers as I climb the final step. “Go back. It’s not too late. Nothing is worth that sacrifice.”
With a soft smile, I stop in front of my sister and reach down to untie her bindings. “You are,” I promise. I would do anything for Natasha. I love her more than anyone else on this planet, and with our parents dead and gone, it’s my responsibility to protect her.
I know my sister thinks she’s the strong one. But I won’t let her die. If Lucian’s right about one thing, it’s that my pride is not worth her life. My pride isn’t worth anyone’s life. Not my sister’s, not the Sokolov men under my protection.
“And so are all the men Father entrusted to my care,” I add. “If this is what it takes to keep you all safe, then this is what I’ll do.”
Natasha’s restraints fall to the ground, and she throws her arms around my shoulders, pulling me close as she bites back a sob. I swallow the painful lump in my throat as I give her a gentle squeeze before pulling back. Then I cup my younger sister’s chin in my hand. “Go to your husband, sister.”
“I love you,” Natasha murmurs. She squares her shoulders, and her feet pick up their pace as she races down the steps.
Her new Irish husband rushes forward to meet her, sweeping her into his embrace, and only then does the icy fist around my chest relax. My sister’s safe. Killian will protect her, and he damn well better continue to cherish her if I can’t be around to make sure of it.
“Killian,” I say, lifting my voice commandingly. “You be good to her.”
Killian King gives me one solemn nod, the look of gratitude in his eyes reassuring me that his feelings for Natasha run so deep, I will never need to worry about her in his care.
My men, on the other hand, need a leader to protect them. To give them the order that will stop this bloodshed and save theirlives. I only hope they won’t mutiny against me for my choice. I know Bratva men hate weakness, and surrendering to the enemy is about as cowardly as it gets in their eyes.
We came today to take back my sister and destroy Lucian, and now I’m willingly conceding to his authority to stop any more of my men from dying. I was already clinging to my new reign by a thread. This might be the straw that breaks the camel’s back. After today, I might not have an army to rule—even if Lucian is willing to let me keep my title.
Heart hammering against my ribcage, I command authoritatively, “Muzhchiny, idite domoy,” telling my men to go home.
And to my intense relief, as one, the Sokolov men gather our dead, hoisting them in our vehicles before they depart. The Irish Kings follow, and as the driveway empties, I finally feel like I can breathe again. No matter what happens to me now, I’ve done all I can to protect the people I swore to lead and defend.
“Come,principessa,” Lucian says smoothly beside me, offering his elbow like a gentleman—though we both know he’s about as far from that as a man can get. “Let’s find you a suitable wedding dress.”
Icy horror grips my chest at his words. I feel the bars of my prison closing in around my freedom. This is the fate my father worked so hard to avoid. He didn’t want his daughters trapped in a loveless marriage. Hell, I’m pretty sure my father would have preferred if neither of us ever married—because he didn’t believe any man was worthy of us.
