Page 63 of Deceptive Vows
As he stepped away, Gabriele appeared at my elbow, making me start slightly.
“Leaving so soon?” he asked, his smile fixed in place. “The night is still young.”
I pressed a hand to my stomach, summoning a slightly pained expression. “I’m afraid I’m not feeling my best. Perhaps too much rich food.”
Gabriele’s eyes narrowed slightly, assessing. “How unfortunate. I hope you feel better.”
I forced a smile. “Thank you.”
“Of course. And please don’t forget to send me an invitation.” His gaze shifted to Lucas. “And our little discussion?”
“I’ll consider it,” Lucas replied, his tone carefully neutral.
Gabriele nodded, satisfaction evident in his posture. “Excellent. I look forward to hearing from you.” His gaze drifted to Lex, lingering withan evaluative quality that made my brother stiffen. “All of you should come for dinner after the holidays. Family gatherings are so... important. Don’t you agree?”
I caught the slight narrowing of Lex’s eyes, his posture shifting almost imperceptibly. Whatever Gabriele had discussed with Lucas, Lex was somehow at the center of it.
“Absolutely,” Lucas replied.
Nazar returned, sliding an arm around my waist, a territorial gesture that wasn’t entirely for show. “The cars are ready.”
Gabriele held Nazar’s gaze a beat longer than necessary. “Mr. Volkov, it was a pleasure to meet you.”
“The feeling is mutual,” Nazar replied smoothly. “You have a beautiful home.”
“Thank you.” Gabriele’s smile didn’t reach his eyes. “Take care of your future bride. Women require... careful handling.”
As we turned to leave, I caught Sofia watching us from across the room, her eyes lingering on Lex with what looked almost like hope, quickly masked when her father glanced her way.
Once we were safely in our car, Nazar and I sat in silence. I texted Lucas we’dmeet him at Lykos. Whatever he had discussed with Gabriele, I needed to know immediately.
Nazar’s hands were tight on the steering wheel, and his jaw flexed. “Your brother seemed... disturbed by whatever Gabriele discussed with him.”
“I noticed.” I stared out at the snow-covered landscape rushing past. “That’s why I’m eager to find out what that meeting was about.”
Nazar nodded, his eyes fixed on the road. “Whatever it is, we’ll face it together.”
The words were simple, but they settled in my chest with unexpected warmth. With everything happening around us, having someone at my side was a comfort I’d never expected to value so much.
Thirty minutes later,we gathered at Lykos. Lucas paced in front of the bookshelves lining the wall while Claire watched him with concern. Ari and Anna sat close together on the couch, while Lex stood slightly apart, arms crossed, expressionstormy. Dimitris, with an unlit cigarette, was by the door, leaning with his shoulder against it.
“Gabriele wants an alliance,” Lucas finally said, his voice flat. “Sealed with a marriage.”
“What?” I would readily admit, I didn’t see that development on the horizon in any universe.
Lex’s face was tight with barely controlled anger. “He wants me to marry Sofia.”
“He claims it would unite our families against Marco’s plans,” Lucas continued. “Says Marco isn’t the endgame. He’s got men inside Marco’s faction, and a coup is in motion.”
“We knew it,” I said.
We told Lucas about that night at the warehouse and what Nazar had overheard.
“With the Gray Wolves,” Nazar added.
Lucas nodded grimly. “Gabriele says Marco’s offering them Chicago if they help him take care of his ‘competition problems.’“
“And his solution is to marry his daughter off to me?” Lex’s voice was dangerously calm. “Did he happen to ask if I was interested in being part of his chess game?”
