Page 12 of Bride By Coronation

Disappointment fills me. I hate having no control over this situation. But it is what it is, so I reply, "Nothing regarding Fiona's initiation is up to me. We gave up our tokens. We traded in our choices on thismatter. Now, I don't like it any more than you do, but the sooner you accept it, the easier it will be for you."

He scrubs his face and shakes his head. "There has to be another way. My sister isn't going to agree to marry you. And I'm not forcing her."

My heart races. I hide the sting of his words, even though I already know Fiona will never want me. She's eleven years younger than me and beyond gorgeous. Her thriving career in the fashion world means she understands and values beauty. The men she dates are country-club perfect and belong on the covers of magazines. Plus, she's already proven she's not scared of me and isn't afraid to fight for what she wants.

And that's what worries me the most. I'll be a man and deal with my fate, but I'm fearful that same spirit might be the cause of Fiona ending up dead on initiation night. So I can blame Sean all I want, but that's on me if that happens.

If she does go through with it, she'll end up dead anyway.

No way will she survive being married to me.

She'll hate herself for allowing me to ever touch her.

Her embarrassment that I'm her husband will show every time we walk into a room together.

"Find another way, Kirill. If you really did respect my father, then you'll figure this out."

Beyond frustrated, I roar, "You're not listening!"

He jabs me in the chest. "No, you're not. Find another way. Fiona is off-limits!" He spins and stomps out of the room.

I follow him. "Sean, I'm not the enemy. I know you think I am, but I'm not. Trust me, I don't want this any more than you do."

He smacks the button a few times until it lights up, then demands, "Go marry someone else. That'll solve this issue."

I scoff. "You know they'll kill me if I do that."

"So? My sister would be safe."

I grab his coat and yank him toward me, pointing my finger in his face and snapping, "Stop saying irrational things. If I do anything of the sort, we all die. Is that what you want? Zara, your sister, and you lying in a pool of blood next to me?"

He pushes me away, snarling, "Don't ever touch me again unless you want to be laid out on the floor."

"The threats aren't going to make this go away, and neither is blaming me, so I'll tell you what your dad would tell you right now. Grow the fuck up."

New hatred fills his expression. He fumes, "Don't ever talk to me like you know what my father would say."

I stay silent, realizing I'm fighting a losing battle.

The elevator opens, and Sean leaps into it. He hits the button, but the doors stay open.

I add, "We have to find a way to work together. There are Omni who have seats, and they're working against us. The sooner we make peace, the better off everyone will be."

"Get us out of this nonsense with my sister, and I'll happily work with you," he declares.

I groan. "You're not listening to a damn word I've said!"

He glares at me, warning, "Fiona will never agree to marry you. Don't put her in a position where her life's on the line."

"Do you honestly believe that's what I want?"

"You're the king. Figure out a way," he orders.

"I'm trying," I insist.

"Try harder, because you're not marrying my sister," he snarls as the doors shut.

The hum of the lift belt fills the air, and I close my eyes, wishing the solution would present itself.

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