Page 39 of Ruined Vows
I sigh. Dramatically. Because that’s the only way to survive this kind of betrayal.
“My brothers made a deal behind my back.”
Joanne’s eyes go wide. “Matteo and the stone-faced band of hot murderers?”
“Yes. Them.”
She leans in. “Talk.”
I cross my legs, annoyed all over again. I played it off in the meeting, but I’m still reeling. I can’t even drink my favorite drink. I’m so upset.
“Apparently, to broker peace and get rid of the horrible Petrovic, leader of the Serbian syndicate, my brother, Matteo, offered me as a gift to his brother, Vukan. As in marriage.” I’m so pissed I could spit bullets. “Like I’m being gifted to him with a bow on top.”
Joanne’s mouth drops open. “Are you kidding me?”
“Oh, no. I walked into the war room and was very matter-of-factly informed that I’d be marrying Vukan Petrovic like I’m some mafia-themed wedding favor.”
“And your response?”
I grin. “Fuck no, fucking fuck no. But, I came up with an acceptable alternative.” I pause dramatically, and the corner of my mouth forms a smile. “Ten dates.”
Joanne tilts her head. “That’s your punishment?” She takes a sip of her tea and rests her elbow on he table, engrossed in my dramatic family saga.
“No. That’s his.” I flick my hair over my shoulder and glance at my drink, spinning it between my fingers.
She blinks. “Bianca,” she says, as she tries to snap me out of my rage.
I glance at her, thinking to myself that she’s lucky she’s an only child.
“If he can make me fall in love in ten dates, I’ll marry him. If he can’t. I’m off the hook! I’ll walk. Simple. Elegant. And diabolically unreasonable.”
“That’s evil genius,” she says as she hits the table with her palm to punctuate how impressed she is.
“Thank you.” I can’t deny I’m giddy. I nod in agreement.
Joanne shakes her head. “You really think he’s going to crash and burn?”
“Ihopehe crashes and burns. So I’m giving him the kind of dates that will do just that.”
“Okay,” she says, sitting up straighter, “let me hear your planned sabotage. It sounds like you have a strategy.” She straightened in the chair and leaned in.
“I already boxed him. I even landed a clean shot to the ribs.”
“Foreplay for you,” she snickers.
“Yeah, right,” I reply, like I’m ever getting laid. Most men are intimidated by me, and the ones who ask me out are push-overs. I can’t respect a man who agrees to everything I say.
Passive men are boring. I need a challenge. I need someone who can stimulate my brain and libido.
“Now I need to go for the emotional kill,” I say, deep in thought. The wheels in my head are turning. I need to come up with dates to scare Vukan off—the sooner, the better.
Joanne rubs her hands together. “Let’s ruin this man,” she grins.
I lean in, placing my elbows on the café table. I intertwine my fingers and move them methodically, as if I’m running scales on a piano.
“He agreed to ten dates. I pick half. He picks half. All I have to do is make him regret it,” I say, giving her my diabolical smile.
Joanne raises a brow. “By… what? Talking too much and ordering gluten, or bankrupting him with designer clothing?”
