Chapter 45
Dmitri
“You can still change your mind now that there’s still time. Marriage isn’t a joke, Vlad,” My heart constricted at the thought of the loveless marriage he was about to put himself into.
I didn’t have a problem doing it because I’d fallen in love before, but the responsibility of keeping the Bratva afloat depended on me, not him.
He folded his arms and shook his head. “There’s no need to beat around the bush, brother. This is what I want to do for us. Lately, I’ve been feeling somewhat inefficient as consigliere, chasing women around and living life to the fullest while abandoning my duties and making things hard for you, so allow me to do this,”
“No, no, don’t look down on yourself. You’ve been a great source of help to me and I don’t know what I’d have done if you weren’t by my side when Anya died, but take a look at me, I’m doing better now. And if you’re helping me out just because I’m yet to get a good supplier then I’m telling you right now as your Capo that you don’t need to,”
He scoffed then straightened the collar of his jacket.
“It’s an order, Vladimir,”
He nodded and peered at me steadily. “You and I know that I’m not so good at following orders, but I’m going to ask you a question,”
“Go ahead,” I sighed tiredly, knowing that I’d lost the argument before it began.
I hated that his stubborn trait had to surface when I didn’t need it to.
“Did you ever imagine that you and Ariel would be this close before you got married to her?” He questioned.
“What do you mean? We’re not as close as you think…” I trailed off when he stared at me with a disbelieving gaze.
“Of course you aren’t,” He replied with so much sarcasm, “But you took off your mask just after a few months of being with her which was something you couldn’t do six years after Anya died. You booked a private restaurant for your first date with her and I’m sure you both had a lot of fun,” He grinned knowingly. “And ever since, you’ve been more caring than before. So, do you still refute that her presence in your life didn’t attribute to these changes I just mentioned?”
Knowing that he was right, I averted my gaze to the road and watched the trees disappear quickly as the car drove past it at average speed.
“What are you driving at?”
“Nothing much,” He said flatly.
While thinking of a suitable response, the car stopped and Abram announced to us that we had gotten to our destination.
After Vladimir told me about his intention to marry Mr Thomas’s daughter, I sent a call across telling him about our offer. Fortunately, he agreed to fly over to Texas where we’d meet.
In as much as I wasn’t comfortable with my brother’s decision, I couldn’t help the feeling of ease that gradually settled in at the thought of getting a supplier that would be bound to us by marriage.
By the time we got down, another car had driven into the parking lot and Mr Thomas alighted from the car with his bodyguards following suit.
He smiled at us and then his daughter appeared behind him. I glanced at Vladimir who was looking at her without any emotions on his face.
“Let’s get this done with,” He said hurriedly and we steered toward our guests.
He stretched his hand for a handshake and I took it firmly. “You’re welcome, Mr Thomas. It’s good to have you here,”
“Same here. I hope this meeting ends well,”
“I also hope for the same thing,”
~~~~
A waiter came and took our orders and we began the conversation. Vladimir sat next to me while his daughter sat right beside her father.
Tension reigned supreme in the air and I had to loosen the knot of my tie. Then I cleared my throat. “This is Vladimir Mikhailov, my younger brother and Consiglier of the Bratva. He’s offering to take your daughter’s hands in marriage in my stead in exchange for an alliance with your family,”
He gave my brother a cursory glance and I caught his daughter openly flirting at him as well.
I held back the sigh of relief that nearly left my mouth, happy that I just escaped marrying someone who clearly wouldn’t be faithful if we dated.
“That’s fine. What matters to me is that my daughter, Marian, is getting married into the Mikhailov family, however, the marriage won’t be taking place until the next two years. She just turned twenty and she has to complete her college degree before getting married. Will that be a problem for you, Mr Mikhailov?” He asked, training his gaze on Vladimir.
He leaned closer and placed his hands on the table. “No it won’t, as long as we all keep to our end of the bargain,” He replied curtly. “If you don’t mind, I’d like to have a brief discussion with your daughter,”
Smooth criminal, I muttered under my breath. Next, he’d be taking her against the wall.
Unlike the Mafians who believed in chastity, especially for the female gender before marriage, those who weren’t from our world didn’t adhere to such rules.
“Now that my brother is having a conversation with your daughter, I’d like us to talk about the date for the engagement. I also want to know when you’ll show me a sample of your product,”
He raised his wine glass for a toast and we cheered half-way in the air. “Slow down, Mr Mikhailov, or should I refer to you as my in-law now?” He chuckled lightly. “My products are original and one of my boys will show you whatever sample you want to satisfy your curiosity. I just want to be sure that your brother will take good care of my daughter,”
My lips twitched and I cast a glance at the both of them. Vladimir’s face was rigid as if the conversation was being forced and I couldn’t help the feeling that the marriage was doomed before it began.
However, Marian was having a full day gushing over him. Her smiles were bright and flirty at the same time.
It was so obvious that she wanted him badly.
“I do not doubt that he will. You don’t have to worry about her,”
My phone vibrated on the table and I picked it up at once when I saw who the caller was.
I excused myself and went out of the restaurant. “Is there any problem, Armen?”
Without hesitating, he responded. “I wouldn’t call it a problem, Boss, but good news. I’ve discovered the person that has been laying attacks on Liora and there’s enough proof to back up my discovery,”