Guyssss, in case y'all didn't know, remember like a million chapters ago when I asked about book ideas? As in which one I should write about next? Well, most responses voted on the one with the two killers, and if y'all are interested.... Well, the first chapter is out.

Slow asf updates, but it's there 😭

Anyway,

Leandro POV

Sometimes, on rare occasions, I wonder if I could somehow change the fate of the world. I've never really been a believer of hope, in fact, I was always of the belief that hope was a thing for fools that only made you weaker. 

Since the death of the man who raised me, however, I've discovered that hope is actually a driving force. It pushes you to move forward even when all you want to be doing is going along with all the bullshit going on.

Hope crushes you, yes, but it also gives you the will to live. Recently, the only hope I've managed to have is the hope of keeping my sister safe.

The Volkov family is ruthless. They're cunning, cruel, some may even say inhumane; and they're also the family Iris had been arranged to marry into.

I've been trying to find a loophole in the contract, something to forfeit the entire thing. But, unfortunately, it's ironclad. There's nothing I can do to change it.

I thought about just having one of my brothers marry one of the Volkov's. I'm sure it wouldn't be too much a problem, though I don't think any of my brothers are gay; it's still a better option than having my sister married off to some heathen.

To my dismay, however, the contract is specific. Iris is to marry Slater unless either party is killed. As much as I wouldn't have hesitated to kill Slater if he were someone else, his family will start a war if I do that.

'You mean to tell me that Iris is going to get married?' Carmine signs, his brows furrowed as anger and confusion transforming his features.

"Yes, and not just to anyone, to one of the Volkov's" I reply.

'Oh, that's not so bad, honestly. I wish she'd had the choice of who to marry, but chances are she would've ended up with Slater anyway.' Carmine shrugs.

"What the fuck do you mean, Carmine?" I ask, glaring at my stupid brother. Damn, I thought Luka was the biggest idiot between them all.

'What I mean is that in due time, they probably would have ended up together anyway. Why do you thing Iris is out of her room? It's because of him, dumbass.'

Oh. Well, when he puts it that way, it's pretty hard not to see, but that doesn't make me any less angry about it. She's my little sister.

'But, that doesn't give you an excuse to be acting like a complete asshole, Leandro. Act like a man and talk to your sister.' Carmine signs angrily, he's the one who's glaring now. I find it odd how quickly things change in this family, honestly.

Without waiting for me to reply, Carmine promptly gets out of his chair and storms out of the office.

I don't think that conversation went the way either of us were expecting for it to go, but whatever. That's life. If there's anything that I've learnt in the entirety of my life, it's that you can never control someone elses actions, even if you try fighting it as hard as you can. Sure, you can try and back them into a corner, however that option would backfire should the person be smart enough to create another option. 

Which is why I can only hope that Carmine doesn't tell Iris about her fate; not until I know for certain that there is absolutely nothing that can be done to prevent the marriage from happening; because as much as everyone can say that Iris and Slater are the perfect match, I would like for Iris to have a choice.

I promised that I would protect her no matter what, and I'm already very well aware fo the fact that I've failed her more times than it should be possible. Failing her again does not seem like much of an option, not when she still feels the loss of our dad because of my most recent one.

With a sigh, I get out of my office and make my way to Andrei's office. Aside from Carmine - since he's a selective mute - Andrei is the quietest of all our brothers. Honestly, I don't think anyone even notices that he's around most of the time because of how quiet he is.

But, even though he's quiet, he's definitely the smartest of us all. Silence does not equal stupidity. On the rare occasions that he does speak, Andrei always says sensible things, and if there's any hope of finding a solution to this whole marriage situation, Andrei is the brother who'll provide it.

I stroll into the bleak office, scoffing when I'm reminded to just how impersonal it is. While my office is full of more neutral, welcoming shades and books to make it feel more welcoming to my... Business partners; Andrei's is as impersonal as it gets. With white walls, a dark oak desk and chair along with two more chairs for people to sit on and a small sofa that's against one of the walls. That's it. There's no other furniture.

"Leandro." He greets, looking up in acknowledgement.

"Andrei," I take a seat, "we have a problem."

"Oh?" He questions, raising an eyebrow at me. His expression is mocking. Did the bastard already know?

"Yes. It seems that father dearest arranged for our sister to be married." I state, concealing my anger. If he knows about the contract, it means he was there when dad was signing it. He could've stopped it all, but he didn't. Either he found out later, or he's the reason it's happening in the first place.

"Okay, and what's the issue?"

"The fact that she's getting married, testa di cazzo." (dickhead)

"I still don't see the issue, Leandro. She's getting married into one of the most powerful families in our world. And, they'll kill that idiot from the French mafia too. It's killing two birds with one stone, really." He reasons, but there's no way I'll see reasoning on this one.

"What the fuck do you mean 'kill two birds with one stone' is that what our sister's life is to you? A stone?"

"No, mudak," (asshole) he pauses, "She's my sister. But the Volkov's refused to take anything else as payment for getting rid of that pest, Antoine."

"So you knew about this mess the whole time?" I ask, not bothering to hide my anger now.

"Well, sort of. I didn't agree either until it was pointed out to me that this would be a great opportunity. We'd be tied to the Volkov's and that would make us untouchable, Leandro."

"I don't give a fuck. All that means to me is that you can now give me a way to break this whole thing off." I glare at my brother.

"There's no way to do that, brother. The contract is ironclad. All we can do is push it off for a few years; but it'll only be a matter of time before the Volkov's grow impatient."

"So what do you suggest we do, stronzo?" (asshole)

"I suggest we get to know our future brother in law better."

───────────── .°୭̥ ❁ ˎˊ˗

I have nothing to say. That's a first tbh.

Okay, no, I lied. I have a lot to say, but I'm gonna edit this so I can announce my other book at the top of this chapter since I know most peeps do not read author's notes.

Also, any of y'all know how to get rid of these skin issues

1. A tan. I CAN'T GET RID OF MINE. I kid you not, I got tanned in December (I get at least a shade darker every single time I go out in the Sun, and I spent most Of December at the beach because it was summer, and it's flipping MARCH and I'm still tan.)

2. Dark spots/hyperpigmentation. Eid is in like two weeks, I need my skin to be FLAWLESS. Okay, not really, I will be wearing a bit of makeup because I love to put makeup (but only for special occasions bc as much as I love it, I'm too lazy for that shit)

3. Pimples. I swear, on a normal day, I BARELY have any pimples, but before occasions, I break out like crazy. It sucks frs.

Anyway, lmk if y'all know any solutions, and it's okay if y'all don't bc I dunno either.

Love y'all lots (I can't say like jelly tots or I'll get hungry)
Byeeeeeeee ♥️