Page 12 of Ruined Vows
“Then he’d better learn not to burn,” I snark.
Matteo is overly cautious, and today, he’s just a fucking killjoy. But his confidence works in my favor.
I’ll show them. I’ll show them all. I’m not giving Vukan my future.
I don’t think I’m capable of love. I’m broken and probably damaged beyond repair. Besides, love makes women weak and vulnerable.
Men can’t be trusted to show up, they say things they don’t mean, and more often than not, they are arrogant pricks, expecting me to drop my panties just because they paid for dinner.
But I’ll break Vukan. I know how powerful babies can be. No man wants to be stuck in a room with snotty noses and sticky fingers. I will take him on five dates that will repel him like bug spray.
After one or two dates, he’ll call off this absurd engagement.
“He’s a hard man. Do you really want to do this?” Matteo asks, for a second time, as our eyes lock.
If he thinks I’m changing my mind, he’d better be prepared to wait for hell to freeze over.
“Absolutely.” I smile. I will crush their silly notion of an arranged marriage. If they thought I’d concede because they mapped my future out for me, they can think again because Vukan Petrovic can kiss my ass.
Let the games begin.
I swoop out of the mansion without looking back, leaving my brothers worrying about the outcome. Maybe they will think twice before they cut me out of the loop again.
It’s still raining when I hit the highway, and now, I’m driving on wet roads. Traffic is at a standstill when Amara calls.
“Bianca, I heard about the meeting. I’m sosorry.”
“Why?”
“I know what it’s like. I mean, you were bartered for me. You saved me.”
“Don’t be ridiculous.” The last thing I want is for Amara to feel indebted to me. She adores my brother, and she’s pregnant. She survived years of her father’s abuse. She deserves to be happy.
I’m sure Matteo did what he had to do. But I’m still pissed.
Couldn’t he have offered Vukan a territory?
Probably.
We barter deals or territories to avoid wars. What makes this negotiation different? Why the hell did they barter me?
They owe a favor, they said. Did Vukan know all along he would order me to his bed, knowing he’s shackling me to his life?
If so, he gave up a ton to ensure my future was tied to his.
He’s not stupid, for Christ’s sake. He knows exactly what he wants—men like him do. I should know, I have four brothers just like him. And I know that when they think ahead, they plan and plot.
“Well, we women have to stick together, so what’s going on? How are you getting out of it?”
“I’m offering him ten dates. We both get five. I intend to scare the shit out of him.”
“He’s pretty scary. I was there that night, and he scared the bejesus out of me. But…”
“But what?”
“I saw his face soften when he looked at you.”
“I’m sure it was the dim lighting.” I mean, how could he possibly see me? Besides, I’m not important. I’m sure he had other things on his mind, like survival.
