Page 14 of Samuel

That jealousy from moments ago springs up once more. I imagine Isabela whispering those words to me. Just the thought of it makes my cock twitch in my slacks.

“Right back at you, Izzy,” he responds with a smile.

Once Daniel exits, the tension in the room thickens to the point it affects the air. I watch every move she makes. She slowly sits back down, taking a couple of minutes before looking at me.

“You don’t like me. I don’t like you. Why are you even doing this?” she finally asks.

“Correction. We don’t know one another, Isabel. I think it’s past time that we do.”

“Why? I’m not staying married to you.”

“The contract, which has your signature, says you will. You freely agreed to everything in it, Isabel.”

“Nothing involving my father was freely done, Samuel.”

I frown, tapping down any emotion I feel. “Regardless, you signed the contract. I think we should see if we can work this out so that both of us are happy.”

“It’s impossible. I’d be miserable in Russia. I love being a doctor. I’ve worked hard to get where I am with my career. I don’t want to move to another country, trying to scrape my way to the top once more. I also refuse to leave my brother.”

“You had to know this day was coming, Isabel.”

“I didn’t. I figured when the year was up, we’d meet and agree to end everything. At the very least, I thought you would agree to keep going like we have been. I still don’t see why you’retrying to insist you’re here to claim me. You don’t like me. We both know that. The feeling is quite mutual in case you were wondering.”

“I’m here to propose a deal,” I respond, not taking my eyes off her. “I’ll be here to pick you up tomorrow. You’ll live with me for the next six months. If we can’t find common ground, then andonlythen, will I agree to this annulment.”

“Are you not hearing me? I don’t want to be married to you.”

“Too bad. You already are. You agreed to that with your signature. If you fail to uphold your end of the contract, I can andwillseek retribution. Doing that will affect your brother directly. I don’t think you want that, Isabel.”

“This isn’t my brother’s fault. Besides, he has as many alliances as you do—if not more.”

“Isabel, my family rules the Bratva. My word is law. Your brother might try to start an uprising, but I’ve faced that before. I can do it again. Before you try to call me on that, I will tell you,dear wife, I’ve never lost a challenge. I’m not about to start now. You can agree to be a good girl and uphold our agreement, or essentially sell your brother out and leave his ass blowing in the wind. The choice is yours.”

“You’re a bastard,” she hisses.

I shrug. “I’ve been called worse.”

“I have a job here. I don’t want to go to Russia. I don’t want to leave my brother.”

“Then, you’re in luck. I’m currently living here in Phoenix. I will remain here—at least for the next six months.”

“If you force me into this, I’m going to make you regret it, Sammy,” she warns. Something settles inside of me. I’ve won round one, and hell if I’m not anticipating round two.

“I’ll look forward to it,” I purr as the warmth of my victory settles over me.

“I’m going to continue to work.”

“When do you go back?” I ask, studying her.

“Tomorrow night.”

“Then be ready in the morning. I’ll pick you up. We’ll have breakfast and when you go to work tomorrow, one of my men will go with you.”

“I already have a bodyguard. Tayko.”

“I don’t know him. I trust my men. You’re my property. People could try to use you against me. My men will be the ones guarding you. I won’t take a chance on your wellbeing, Isabel.”

“Six months and then this sham is over,” she finally says, reaching out her hand as if I’m supposed to shake hers.

---