PURPLE HEART - Soliders Of Fortune [BOOK TWO]

Chapter TWENTY FIVE

Sunday 'Sunny' Santos

…the next day…

“Can we hurry this up, I’m meeting Kiryll for happy hour and I don't want to miss Martini Madness at The Red Room!” Verity impatiently taps her wrists, motioning to a watch she isn't actually wearing and pressing for the conclusion of a meeting she wasn't actually invited to..

But I wouldn't dare say so aloud.. When it comes to Verity, she has made it abundantly clear to me that if I want to stay on her good side, I'd better not question her..

Lucky for me, I don't need to point out the folly of her complaints, because Max is already correcting her attitude with an exasperated scowl.. “Nobody asked you to come today, V..” He turns in his chair to scold his sister before arching a dark brow in curiosity.. “Also, who the ff-fuck is Kiryll?”

Mr Atryom Levitsky esquire, The chubby ruddy-cheeked lawyer whose office we currently occupy, ducks his head lower and busies himself, shuffling through the pages of our marriage contract.. Meticulously reviewing the details through wire framed glasses which balance upon the tip on his bulbous nose.. Both of us doing anything to remain impartial in the siblings' discord..

Verity checks her perfectly painted red lips in her golden compact.. “He’s the cute bartender from–”

“You know what–” Max holds up a disinterested hand to silence her, turning back to face the attorney sitting opposite us.. “I don't even want tt-to know..”

The lawyer jolts agreeably into action as Max motions for him to continue with an authoritative nod.. “There are just a couple more clauses to address, Mr Angeloff.. The first regarding the matter of children–”

With a dismissive flick of the wrist, Max erases the possibility of something I hadn't even had a chance to consider, let alone realise I might have wanted.. “That won't be necessary.. There will be no children..”

I can't explain the heavy feeling in my stomach, as if I'd been punched hard.. When Max speaks with such certainty about the limits of our make believe future together, something inside me sinks with sadness..

Of course there will be no children, our entire relationship is a fabrication.. A lie..

Still, I recognise the crushing weight of disappointment and am forced to mask the stab of pain that accompanies it and pierces my chest..

“I see..” Mr Levitsky nods, striking his flashy black ballpoint across the page to scratch out the unaddressed clause.. “Well that leads us to our final matter; sexual obligations and an attached NDA..”

“Obligations?” I suck in a shaky breath as my pulse quickens..

“Strike that, Atryom..” Max orders roughly..

“Are you certain, Sir?” The lawyer glances between us, hesitant to comply.. “I would advise against engaging without it–”

“I said, strike it..” Max reiterates through gritted teeth, growing irritated by the doubt of his advisor..