Page 17 of Deceptive Vows
“Perhaps once we have everything worked out, we should go for dinner and do a little ring shopping,” I said.
“Anything for you, darling.” The way she purred the last word stroked a fire in my gut—unexpected, unwelcome, and far too tempting.
Her brother exhaled sharply, frustration edging his tone. “Thea, enough with the games.We need to focus. This auction—did Marco give any specifics?”
Pasha glanced at me before shaking his head. “No. Nothing concrete. But now that you’ve agreed to work with us, I’ll reach out to him. Let him know we’re in. Once I do that, Nazar can start digging into the details.”
“And you’ll keep us informed as you go along.” Thea’s gaze locked on me, sharp and unyielding. “Right, darling?”
I met her stare, unwilling to back down. “Yes. We’ll share everything we uncover about Marco and the victims.”
“All right.” Lucas stuck his hand out. “It’s a partnership.”
A partnership. And yet, the only thing with the potential to destroy me wasn’t Marco—it was Thea.
Chapter Six
THEA
“No, I don’t.”My phone rested on the bathroom counter as I spoke to Claire. “This is business.”
Claire’s wild idea that I had a thing for Nazar was absurd. I’d called a friend in New York about him but hadn’t heard back yet. Going into this date blind wasn’t my usual style.
Claire snorted. “And I wasn’t going to fall for Lucas, but here we are.”
“My brother needed you. I, however, have everything I need. My brothers, you, Anna, Aunt Helen, and my cousins. Men are complications.”
“Your brother is a man.”
“And he’syourcomplication. I can walk away. You’re stuck with him.” I finished putting on my diamond studs and studied myself in the mirror.
I always dressed up, but had I considered a certain Russian when choosing this particular outfit? Yes, because Nazar was picking me up, and I might have been interested in his reaction. The last time we’d met, his eyes had lingered just long enough to let me know he wasn’t immune to my charms.
Our official ‘date’ was at Luminous, an exclusive restaurant on the 50th floor of a Chicago high-rise, frequented by politicians, socialites, and elite families. It was upscale and exactly the place we needed if rumors were to get back to Marco.
The meeting had gone as well as could be expected. Now it was time to convince the rest of the world—and Marco—that Nazar and I were exactly what they feared: united. The official engagement announcement was scheduled for Thanksgiving. Just in time to season Aunt Helen’s turkey with shock.
In the past, the holiday had been dull, but I’d anticipated a more interesting time with Claire and Anna joining our family.
Now, it would be explosive. Itwas just my style to light the match and watch the fireworks. My little black heart could hardly wait to see Aunt Helen’s reaction. Though I hesitated slightly. I didn’t want to give her a heart attack.
On the plus side, Nazar was incredibly attractive, so maybe that would ease the shock. Me, engaged. It was a comedy.
“After years of sleeping alone in a big, cold house, I’ve come to appreciate that even after we argue, he’s still going to hold me at night,” Claire said. “I’ll attack with cold feet and teasing, but it’s the best feeling in the world to have his arms around me.”
My sister meant well, but she’d only known me for a few months. She’d come to my brother with a proposal for marriage in exchange for half a billion dollars. I couldn’t blame her, she’d been desperate to escape her father. In the end, fate had worked its magic, and they’d found each other.
What my sweet sister didn’t understand was that I didn’t need anyone to hold me. I was fine on my own. I’d always been fine.
I sighed, letting the thought linger as I adjusted the jeweled neckline of my dark bluedress. A new venture deserved a new dress, and when I saw it, I knew it’d make an impact.
“You’re quiet,” Claire said, her voice softer now. “Thea, are you nervous?”
I rolled my eyes, though she couldn’t see me. “No. I just want tonight to go smoothly. Marco’s men will be watching, and we need them to believe this is real.”
Claire hesitated. “You mean the engagement or your interest in Nazar?”
“Both.” I quickly brushed off the question. “The engagement has to sell. Nazar and I are on the same page. This is business, nothing more.” I adjusted an earring, focusing on the tiny details rather than the conversation.
