Maksim was wrong. Shipping Mia overseas is one choice, but it’s not the only one. There’s another way to save her—one thatdoesn’t involve fake IDs and burned addresses and me never seeing her again.
It’s almost stupidly simple. All this time, we’ve been playing the part of future husband and wife.
But when it comes down to it, isn’t that an option, too?
If Mia becomes my pakhansha, she will have the full force of my Bratva to protect her. She will live under my roof, have 24/7security, with private bodyguards for her and Eli.
That’s not a reason to marry someone, the voice at the back of my mind mocks. It’s possession. It’s just one more contract.
But I’m willing to sign it in blood.
“Marry me,” I repeat to her stunned face. I have no idea what else to say to her—to convince her to g
