Page 7 of Sinful Union

I scoff, shifting my gaze slightly. Pavel and Viktor are still locked in tense conversation. What the hell are they talking about? “Well, at least all eyes are off us for now,” I say.

“It would appear that way.”

“Which means we can discuss matters.”

He sighs, frustrated. “What’s on your mind?”

“As if you don’t know.” I subtly nod toward Pavel and Viktor. “I want to know what they’re talking about.”

Vlad doesn’t glance their way. His disinterest is deliberate. “Does it matter?”

“Yes.”

Vlad exhales, twirling me effortlessly before pulling me close again. “Viktor isn’t important. The Novikovs will align with us, regardless.”

I raise an eyebrow. “Not important?”

“They know what’s good for them,” Vlad says simply.

I huff. “So you think they’ll just fall in line because we’re so charming?”

Vlad’s lip twitches slightly. “No, because they know what will happen if they don’t.”

“Are you saying they won’t require a marriage?”

“They’re not as strict as some of the more traditional Bratvas,” Vlad says, his eyes flicking toward Pavel before shifting back to me. “They’ll follow power when they see it. A marriage isn’t necessary for that.”

“You do realize our parents originally arranged this deal, right? Does that make them part of the strictly traditional Bratva?”

Vlad smirks as we turn. “Maybe, or maybe it was just their way of keeping us in line. After all, look at you now, Katerina Fetisova.”

The name is like acid on my skin. My stomach twists, my jaw tenses. “Not for long.”

Vlad’s smirk fades. “Kat,” he says, “you need to be careful. This plan is dangerous, and we both know Piotr doesn’t give a damn about risk, as long as he gets what he wants.”

His words sting, but I don’t let it show. I can handle this. “I know what I’m doing,” I reply, the knot in my chest tightening.

Vlad isn’t convinced. “Maybe, but you can’t control everything. If there’s even a hint of doubt, you have to wait. Your safety is more important than Piotr’s timing. Not everything needs to happen so soon. I’m not thrilled about the idea of my sister becoming a murderer.”

I force my shoulders to relax, my face to remain neutral. “It’s too late for that. This has been in motion for weeks. There’s no turning back now.”

“It’snottoo late,” he says, his tone sharp. “Pavel is still alive. It’s not too late until he’s no longer breathing. You can still walk away from this.”

“No, I want him out of the picture. I want our family safe and strong. I want—”

“Revenge.”

Vlad’s jaw locks; his teeth grind together. “Kat,” he begins, “think about Ana. She needs her mother more than our family needs revenge.”

My stomach drops. Ana. My daughter. The one person I can’t think about right now.

I look away, anywhere but at him, my gaze sweeping over the ballroom. Guilt creeps into my core. The swirl of other elegant couples moving to the music does nothing to distract me.

Vlad is right. Ana is everything; the only thing that truly matters.But thinking about her now only makes this harder. “Ana is why I’ve survived this long. Ana is who I’m doing this for.”

He lets out a mirthless laugh. “Really? She’s the only reason you’re doing this? It has nothing to do with your own needs?” He shakes his head. “I never should have agreed to this plan. As I’ve told you time and time again, I’m still not convinced Pavel’s family is responsible for our parents’ deaths.”

“If you still think that, you’re a fool,” I shoot back.

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