"Excuse me?" Liana was still in shock and, for a moment, thought she had heard wrong.
"Yes," Artem affirmed naturally. "A marriage is very beneficial for both of us."
Contrary to what he expected, Liana shook her head and stepped back.
"My father... did he say I should marry you?"
"Yes," Artem replied, taking a step toward her, feeling uncomfortable with her retreating from him for some reason. "He was the one who proposed the deal to me when I was in prison."
"Prison?" Liana's eyes widened in astonishment. "And you're an ex-convict?!"
Artem rolled his eyes and scoffed.
"Oh, sure, because you can judge me. Your father also had dirty dealings."
She grimaced and didn't hesitate to reply.
"I've been away from my father's business for many years. It's not fair to include me in his world. And it's not fair that I have to marry just because he decides it, even after his death. Besides, his lawyer already came here. He gave me my father's letter and said that Victor Rossi was my fiancé, not you!"
Liana moved further away; she was starting to get scared.
"Who the hell are you?!"
Artem raised an eyebrow, surprised by the woman's boldness and her language. Not typical of a nun, and he had expected her to be submissive, just as Vittorio had said. Apparently, the old man didn't know his daughter very well.
However, hearing Victor Rossi's name as her fiancé made Artem tense. A shiver ran down his spine. They already knew of Vittorio's death and Liana's location. His mind began to work at full speed, aware that he had to act quickly.
Putting aside his thoughts, he stepped forward. She stepped back.
"Stay where you are and don't invade my personal space," she warned.
But he ignored her and took another step. Without thinking, he grabbed her by the nape and pulled her toward him, forcing her to look at him. For a moment, he got lost in her blue eyes and also detailed her face, which made him swallow. His body was reacting to her, awakening an impure desire he shouldn't have.
"Damn, Artem. You better find a lay soon," he told himself and forced himself to calm down; then he looked at her coldly.
"Whether you like it or not, we're going to get married."
But Liana held his gaze, her eyes fixed on his. As she looked at him, her mind betrayed her. Impure thoughts assaulted her, not suitable for a future nun. Artem had an almost celestial beauty, but there was something dark and tempting about him, like a fallen angel. A shiver ran through her body, and almost instantly, a mix of attraction and guilt took over her.
"It's a sin," she told herself, trying to suppress the tumult of emotions invading her.
She remembered that in a few days, she would take her vows, a sacred commitment she couldn't break. She swallowed hard, and her lips trembled slightly as she gathered the necessary courage.
"I'm not going to marry you."
Artem clenched his jaw, his patience reaching its limit. He hadn't anticipated such resistance from her. But he knew he had to handle the situation carefully.
"Liana, this is not a negotiation," he snapped. "It's a reality you must accept. Your safety depends on it."
She felt a knot in her stomach but didn't let fear take over.
"I'd rather face any danger than sell my freedom for a forced marriage," she stepped away from his grip and gave him a defiant look. "So I'll say it again, Mr. Vasiliev: I will not marry you."
He smiled and put his hands in his pockets, hiding his clenched fists.
"I'm afraid neither you nor I have many options. This marriage is a necessary evil, Liana. I'm not marrying you because I love you; I'm doing it because it's the only way to avenge my family."
Liana's mind filled with questions; however, she struggled to maintain a cold facade.
"What kind of agreements did you and my father make?"
"Vittorio proposed that I marry you, and in exchange, I would gain control of the organization."
"W... what?"
Artem ignored her question and continued.
"Your father brought you here to protect you. He wanted to prevent you from marrying Victor Rossi." He paused, seeing the distress in Liana's eyes.
She felt her world wobble upon hearing Artem. His revelations changed everything she had believed until then. Her father hadn't left her in the convent out of lack of love but to save her from a terrifying fate. Tears threatened to escape her eyes. But she held them back. She felt a mix of relief and sadness. Her father had cared for her, after all.
Artem watched as Liana processed the information, noticing the change in her expression. Despite her tough facade, there was something about her that moved him.
"Vittorio cared for you, Liana," he said softly, breaking his wall of indifference. "He did what he thought was best for you."
Artem sighed, and his cold, indifferent expression returned to his face.
"It's most likely that the lawyer who came to see you works for Victor Rossi. And, in case you're wondering, your fiancé has... how should I put it? Peculiar tastes." He leaned a bit closer to her and continued, "He likes young girls like you; the curious thing is that none have come out alive after being with him."
Liana swallowed hard, her mind filling with fear, and she had to admit that the lawyer gave her a bad feeling.
"Once you marry," Artem continued, determined to show her part of her future, "you won't have the option to refuse, so you'll have to accept without complaint. And you'll have to please your sixty-year-old husband with a limp dick. Maybe he gets excited by hitting you or lending you to some of his associates. On the other hand, I..." he extended his hand and touched a strand of hair that had come loose from her habit, "...am giving you the best option, Liana. You'd do well to accept it."
Liana had a knot in her stomach. Her heart was racing. She didn't know if it was out of fear or because of Artem's proximity. But she suspected it was both.
She looked at him intently. Her mind was a whirlwind of thoughts. But, most importantly, she knew her father had acted out of love and protection. The pain she had felt for years slowly transformed into understanding and gratitude. However, although Artem's words seemed sincere, she couldn't accept marrying a man she barely knew.
She was about to refuse when suddenly, shouting and gunfire echoed in the place. The air filled with chaos and panic. The nuns began to scream, terrified. Their voices echoed in the convent's hallways.
"Liana, get down!" Artem ordered as he grabbed her arm and pushed her to the ground.