33. Kiera #2
"Good. I got everything I need." I step inside, closing the door behind me. "I invited my brothers to dinner tonight."
His pen stops moving. "You what?"
"I invited them to dinner. Here. At seven." I cross my arms. "I already told the kitchen staff to prepare for a dozen people."
He leans back in his chair, studying me. "You didn't think to ask me first?"
"Would you have said yes?"
"Probably not."
"That's why I didn't ask." I move closer to his desk. "They're my family, Emil. And if we're really getting married, they need to be part of our lives. Not just people you tolerate or threaten."
His jaw tightens, but he doesn't argue. "Fine. Dinner at seven."
"Thank you."
"Don't thank me yet. If this goes badly, it's on you."
"I know."
Seven o'clock arrives too quickly.
My brothers file into the dining room looking uncomfortable and out of place. Kevin, Jack, Devin, and Kaleb, with Mark beside Kaleb. They're all dressed nicely, clearly making an effort, but the tension radiates off them in waves.
Emil stands at the head of the table, looking every inch the powerful Pakhan in dark slacks and a crisp white shirt. His presence dominates the room, making it feel smaller somehow.
"Thank you for coming," I say, trying to break the ice. "Please, sit."
They do, arranging themselves around the table. Emil takes his seat at the head, and I sit to his right. The staff begins bringing out food, course after course of beautifully prepared dishes.
At first, conversation is stilted. Awkward comments about the weather, the food, neutral topics that don't touch on anything real.
But as the meal progresses and wine flows, my brothers start to relax.
Kaleb tells a funny story about one of his students.
Devin talks about expanding his gym. Even Kevin manages a few smiles.
Then Jack asks the question that changes everything.
"So, Emil. What exactly do you do? Besides the casinos and racetracks."
The temperature in the room drops ten degrees.
Emil sets down his wine glass slowly. "I run various businesses. Import, export, real estate, and entertainment."
"That's pretty vague," Jack presses.
"It's intentionally vague." Emil's voice is calm but carries an edge. "Some things are better left undiscussed at the dinner table."
"We're going to be family," Kevin says. "Don't we have a right to know what our sister is marrying into?"
"You know enough."
"Do we?" Devin leans forward. "Because from where I'm sitting, all we know is that you're dangerous, you're powerful, and Kiera could get hurt because of it."
"I would never hurt her."
"Not directly, maybe. But your world is violent. We've already seen that. Someone tried to kill her."
The reminder hangs in the air, heavy and accusatory.
"Which is exactly why she's safer with me than anywhere else," Emil says, his tone hardening. "I have the resources to protect her. You don't."
"We're her family," Jack says. "We've been protecting her since our parents died."
"And you've done an admirable job. But this is beyond your capabilities.
" Emil's gaze moves around the table, meeting each of my brothers' eyes in turn.
"I've warned you before. Stay out of my business.
Don't investigate me. Don't ask questions you don't want answered.
Just trust that I will keep Kiera safe."
"That's asking a lot," Kevin says quietly.
"I know. But it's the only option you have."
The words are blunt, almost cruel in their honesty. My brothers' faces reflect varying degrees of anger, frustration, and helplessness.
I've had enough.
I stand abruptly, my chair scraping against the floor. Every eye turns to me.
"I'm done with this," I say, my voice sharp.
"Every single time we're all together, it's the same thing.
You worry, he threatens, everyone gets tense, and nothing changes.
" I look at my brothers. "I love you. All of you.
But I'm marrying Emil whether you approve or not.
So you can either accept it and be part of my life, or you can keep fighting it and push me away. "
"Kiera," Kevin starts.
"No. I'm not finished." I turn to Emil. "And you. Stop treating them like enemies. They're my family. They're going to be your family too. Figure out how to coexist without all this testosterone-fueled posturing."
I throw my napkin on the table and walk out of the dining room, leaving them all staring after me.
My heels click against the marble floor as I head upstairs. I'm angry and frustrated and tired of being caught in the middle of this endless power struggle.
I make it to my bedroom and close the door, leaning against it with my eyes closed. The dinner was supposed to help. Supposed to bring everyone together. Instead, it just highlighted how impossible this situation is.
A knock sounds on my door several hours later.
I open it to find Emil standing there, his expression unreadable.
"Can I come in?"
I step aside, letting him enter. He moves to the window, looking out at the dark grounds.
"My council wants to meet you," he says without preamble.
"Your council?"
"The men who advise me. Who have a lot of power within the organization." He turns to face me. "It's more like a formal interview. They'll ask questions, evaluate you, and determine whether you're suitable to be the Pakhan’s wife."
The weight of his words settles over me like a heavy blanket. Everything, it seems, hinges on this meeting. My future. My brothers' safety. All of it.
"When?" I ask.
"Tomorrow night."