Total pages in book: 80
Estimated words: 78627 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 393(@200wpm)___ 315(@250wpm)___ 262(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 78627 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 393(@200wpm)___ 315(@250wpm)___ 262(@300wpm)
“They’ll join us later. I asked Alek to get them settled in their suite so we can have some privacy,” Misha explains.
I nod and can’t stop my eyes from flicking to Armani, that’s sitting to my right. Our eyes lock for a second before I quickly glance away.
Geez, the man is too attractive.
“After the wedding, Aurora and I will leave for our honeymoon,” Misha informs me of his plans.
A smile curves my mouth again. “Where are you going?”
“Bora Bora,” Aurora answers, excitement sparkling in her eyes.
“I’m jealous,” I tease them. “I hope you both enjoy it. Take lots of photos for me.”
“We will,” Aurora replies. “I was hoping we could spend some time together tomorrow. My best friend, Abby, will join us. Think of it as an intimate bachelorette party.”
“I’d love to spend time with you.”
We pause our conversation when a server asks if we’d like anything to drink. I settle for lemon-infused water while Aurora asks for a soda. The men don’t order anything, and after the server leaves, Misha pins me with a serious look.
“While I’m away on honeymoon, I want you to call Armani if you need anything,” my brother drops a bomb I wasn’t expecting.
A slight frown forms on my forehead. “Why? I have the Aslanhovs. I can call Alek.”
Misha shakes his head. “We both know Alek’s dealing with his own shit. There’s no one I trust more with your life than Armani.”
Misha has never trusted a man to be alone with me, so for him to say he trusts Armani with my life tells me how close they are. I’m still surprised, though.
“I just want you to know there’s someone else you can call for help if you can’t reach me,” Misha explains.
I nod, and the second the server places the glass of water in front of me, I pick it up and take a huge sip.
My eyes dart to Armani’s face, and I catch him staring at me with a sharp gaze.
He’s trying to read my reaction.
It will take me a while before I’m comfortable with him. The time in the orphanage left me wary of people. Misha and I had to fight for every scrap of food we got, and we quickly learned that no one could be trusted.
Misha trusts Armani. Give the man a chance.
Forcing a carefree smile to my mouth, I say, “I promise I won’t call you for every little thing.”
“We’re practically family,” he murmurs. “Feel free to let me know if you need anything.”
Family? Does he view me as his best friend’s little sister?
Keeping the smile on my face, I reply, “Thank you, Armani.”
Chapter 2
Armani
Misha was holding out on me. A while ago, we were in deep shit with the head of the bratva, and there was a good chance one or all of us could’ve died. Misha asked me to marry Tiana and to look after her. I said yes out of loyalty to my friend.
There were times I regretted the promise I made, but I was going to see it through because I’m a man of my word.
But fuck, Tiana is the most beautiful woman I’ve ever laid eyes on. I don’t know what I expected her to be like, but it was definitely not the angel seated beside me.
She smells like vanilla cupcakes. Sweet and fucking edible.
Her eyes are the same light blue as Misha’s, but there’s something vulnerable hiding deep in her irises. Tendrils of dark brown hair frame her face before falling like silk over her shoulders and down her back.
Tiana’s features are so damn petite, she gives the impression that she might break if you dared to hold her too tight.
Reluctantly my eyes leave the beauty beside me only to meet Misha’s amused smirk.
The fucker knows I’m impressed by his sister.
Even though we’ve agreed on an arranged marriage between Tiana and myself, Misha will only tell her once we’re done with our training here at St. Monarch’s. He’s taking two weeks for the honeymoon before returning to complete the last three months in this place.
Then we’ll announce the engagement, and I’ll be able to get to know Tiana on a personal level.
I feel her eyes on me and turn my full attention to her as I say, “Let me have your phone so we can exchange numbers.”
“Right.” A nervous chuckle escapes her, the sound making my heart squeeze.
I watch as her delicate hand pulls the device out of her purse, and when I take the phone from her, our fingers brush. The electric current passing between us is so fucking intense my eyes snap to hers.
Tiana’s lips part, and for a moment, she looks startled before a smile wavers around her heart-shaped lips.
I felt it, too, piccola.
Calling her ‘little one’ feels as natural as breathing. Maybe it’s because she barely reaches my shoulders. When I leaned down to kiss her cheeks, I noted the top of her head only made it to my chest.