Chapter Nine

~VIOLET POV~

It's been over an hour and Aleksei still hasn't returned, which meant he was either avoiding me or pretending to be busy, not that I care if he shows but the contract sitting here isn't going to sign itself and I'm not in the mood to be kept waiting.

Knock. Knock.

“You had the keys to the room when you barged in before, Aleksei. Don’t start acting respectful now,” I said, not turning away from the window.

The door creaked open, but the footsteps that followed didn't sound like his, I shouldn't have noticed but he walks like a man fighting a war.

“It’s not the Big Bad Wolf, sister-in-law, it's just me, Dmitri.” a voice said lightly

I turned and he was leaning on the doorframe with a silly, boyish grin.

“ I came to say hi! “ he said

I stared at him and finally recall his face, the guy from the bar. “ Leave!” I said

He ignored me and step inside instead “ you don't listen?”I said

“I do” he replied “I just don't always obey.”

I crossed my arms watching him walk to the arm chair by the bed. “ that seems like a personality problem to me.”

He smiled widely like he was enjoying taunting me right now “Seems the rumours of your temper wasn't exaggerated.” he said “ the perfect choice for my brother, a dangerous and a pretty one.”

“ You should leave, I do not like repeating myself.”

“ No!” he said sitting more comfortably scanning the room.

My hatred for this family members keep intensifying by the minute.

“ I came her for two things; breakfast with your family tomorrow and curiosity.”

“ I do not care about either.” I said immediately clenching my teeth.

“Thats your first mistake; Rule number one, in the Carmene family, you have to tolerate family no matter and we care about things like breakfast with family.” he replied.

“ News flash, I'm not a carmene !” I snapped

“ you are not a Greco anymore either and I doubt you even want to be…”

I breathe out, “If that brother of yours sent you here to recite family scripted rules, tell him he can go to hell. I’ve already heard it all my life and I am not in the mood for more tonight.”

“Oh! Alek doesn't know I'm here, I came myself.” he said casually

So now, a Carmene is disturbing my peace out of curiosity what a wonderful wedding night.

He tilted his head watching me. “ I heard you negiotiating earlier with Aleksei that was a bold move, I must say.” he said

I paused. "Spying now? How very Carmene of you."

He laughed softly “ I also came for a truce.” He continued.

“ Leave, right now!” I said but he still ignored.

What the hell is wrong with this Carmene men and not listening.

He leaned forward slightly “I stopped your little investigator from getting any breakthrough info on Aleksei and I might have redirected his information and planted false information to him about Alek’s allergies.”Dmitri said

“What!”

My fingers tightened at my side, all the hours I spent on making sure my plan was perfect and it was already a flop from the beginning manipulated by the Carmene, I was freaking walking down that aisle with a plan that was ineffective.

Breathe violet, breathe ! I say to myself “ I don't know the game you think you’re playing…”

“ I don't play games.” he interrupted “ I watch them, but you were really creative, latex on your bouquet… almost impressive but I expected more.” it said smiling

He is not supposed to know that “ I don't like been watched.” I said trying to calm my nerves

“I don't like boring people!” He replied “ so this works for me.”

“ You’re going to leave now!” I said “ before I decide you are part of my problems I need to solve.”

“Easy, I’m your brother-in-law, Princess. You can’t hurt blood,” he said, his smile widening.

“ Lucky enough for us, we are not blood!” I said calmly taking few steps towards him

He raised his hands in mock surrender but stayed seated “ I like you, you are fierce.”

“ Unfortunately, I can't say that for me.” I said.

The door pushed open slowly and Aleksei stood at the door, his gaze moved from me to his brother sitting on the arm chair.

“Dmitri,” Aleksei said. “What are you doing here?”

Dmitri stood up, unbothered, patting his suit jacket. “Just welcoming my sister in law, Alek. Someone had to show her some hospitality since you were busy punching holes in our innocent walls.” His eyes turned to me and he winked, then clapped a hand on Aleksei’s stiff shoulder as he walked past.

“She is a fierce one, brother. And way worst than you think.” he said

He leaned closer to Aleksei ears and whispered something and Aleksei went stiffed, Then he disappeared into the hall, whistling.

Aleksei didn't move, he stood in the center of the room, his eyes fixed on me with a mixture of suspicion and a strange, burning intensity.

"What did you talk about?" he demanded.

"The fact that your brother is significantly more charming than you are," I said, crossing my arms.

“ Sign the contract!” he said

I smiled faintly, “ Or what? You seem to have

forgotten we had a deal before you walked out.”

“ I refused your terms.” he said, his jaw tighten

“ No deal, then.” I said walking to the bed.

“ I will give a job instead and if you are able to fix it in 48 hours, then we can talk about your terms.” he said

“ You’re testing me?” I said

“ No! Just seeing how good you think you are.” he said his eyes penetrating me. "My father thinks you’re useful, and now I am giving you a chance to prove you are not just a mouthy brat.” he said throwing the folder on the bed.

“ And if I fail?” I asked taunting him.

His voice lowered and he walked towards me, raising my chin up “Then you stay exactly where you belong” he said “ And stop pretending to be anything more.”

I picked up the folder and smiled, “ Careful, Aleksei, I don't fail, I either win or destroy everything.”

He watched me, for a minute then turn around.

“ We will see about that” he said mocking me.