Read Online A Tiger's Bride (A Lion's Pride Book 4) by Eve Langlais - Free Book Online Page A
Authors: Eve Langlais
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vast intelligence—”
Surely she didn’t snicker aloud?
“—I ensured my alibi. The wedding was too public to do something. I called over your cousins to take care of you when the drugs took effect. I made sure they saw me go to my room. Your cousin Luna even spent the night in front of my door.”
Dear cousin Luna, who brought new meaning to the word tenacity. Mother suspected a hint of stubborn mule on that side, and Luna’s mom, a bold Texan, never denied it.
“So if you were blocked, how did you do it?” How had he managed to secret her away and make her his bride?
“Delegation of course. I am a lord in Russia. I have minions to manage tasks.”
She tried not to giggle at the word minions. She did so like the yellow version of them in those movies. Did that make Dmitri, then, the super villain—with the heart of gold?
“Are these minions the same goons Meena was telling me about? I’m surprised you let those bumbling idiots anywhere near me.”
Dmitri grumbled. “I’ll admit they were not my first choice. My regular left- and right-hand were taken ill. Food poisoning apparently. So I was stuck with Gregori and Viktor. They make better pilots than henchmen.”
“You do know the term henchmen makes it sound like you’re a bad guy.”
“Excellent.” He beamed. “One has to make sure to keep one’s reputation intact.”
“So it’s true then? You’re a mob lord in Russia?”
“You make it sound so dirty. While my thoughts are dirty, my job is anything but. In the olden days, my role would have been knyaz or a boyar .”
“What, not a czar? Wasn’t that the emperor?” She couldn’t help a smirk as she teased him, his ego truly astounding and yet, at the same time, oddly adorable.
“I know my ancestors often strove for such a position of importance. However, I’d prefer to live well into my old age. I get enough assassination attempts with my position as it is.”
“And what is it that you do?”
“I am what you Americans would call the alpha of my clan.”
“There’s got to be more to it than that.”
His lips spread in a white grin that held more boyish wickedness than a man of his looks should ever use. “Imports, exports.”
“Of?” she prodded.
“Anything that will make money, or give me more power. I control a good portion of the black market.”
“So you’re a real criminal,” she stated.
“In Russia, the proper term is Capitalist, which I assure you is considered more revolting than a thief. Especially since I wear a suit.”
“Is it dangerous?”
“Any worthwhile occupation for a male contains elements of danger. It is what we are bred for.”
“What of women? How are they treated?” She knew enough about the world to know that different parts of the world meant differences. How would Dmitri treat her? He tended to lean toward the autocratic.
“Women are to be cherished.”
Cherished as in restricted from doing things? That didn’t sit well if that was the case. “In other words, you think women can’t take care of themselves.”
Both his brows shot high. “Perish the thought. Women are what keep families from splintering.”
“So now you’re saying women control stuff? But what about the whole I am alpha, I’m the boss spiel?”
“I am, and I also know when to take advice. Only a stupid man challenges the ideas of an intelligent woman.”
“Mama’s boy.” She coughed it.
He should have taken offense. He smiled. “Perhaps, and yet there is no shame in admitting my mother is an intelligent woman, with a slightly overly enthusiastic response to some situations. But fear not, I’m sure she won’t do anything to you. You are, after all, my wife.”
“This is priceless. My dad is going to want to kill you and your mother might take an issue with me. So where do we hold family gatherings that have floors that are easy to mop?”
“Here of course. Our floors have centuries of history spilled into them. And a little is more or less
Surely she didn’t snicker aloud?
“—I ensured my alibi. The wedding was too public to do something. I called over your cousins to take care of you when the drugs took effect. I made sure they saw me go to my room. Your cousin Luna even spent the night in front of my door.”
Dear cousin Luna, who brought new meaning to the word tenacity. Mother suspected a hint of stubborn mule on that side, and Luna’s mom, a bold Texan, never denied it.
“So if you were blocked, how did you do it?” How had he managed to secret her away and make her his bride?
“Delegation of course. I am a lord in Russia. I have minions to manage tasks.”
She tried not to giggle at the word minions. She did so like the yellow version of them in those movies. Did that make Dmitri, then, the super villain—with the heart of gold?
“Are these minions the same goons Meena was telling me about? I’m surprised you let those bumbling idiots anywhere near me.”
Dmitri grumbled. “I’ll admit they were not my first choice. My regular left- and right-hand were taken ill. Food poisoning apparently. So I was stuck with Gregori and Viktor. They make better pilots than henchmen.”
“You do know the term henchmen makes it sound like you’re a bad guy.”
“Excellent.” He beamed. “One has to make sure to keep one’s reputation intact.”
“So it’s true then? You’re a mob lord in Russia?”
“You make it sound so dirty. While my thoughts are dirty, my job is anything but. In the olden days, my role would have been knyaz or a boyar .”
“What, not a czar? Wasn’t that the emperor?” She couldn’t help a smirk as she teased him, his ego truly astounding and yet, at the same time, oddly adorable.
“I know my ancestors often strove for such a position of importance. However, I’d prefer to live well into my old age. I get enough assassination attempts with my position as it is.”
“And what is it that you do?”
“I am what you Americans would call the alpha of my clan.”
“There’s got to be more to it than that.”
His lips spread in a white grin that held more boyish wickedness than a man of his looks should ever use. “Imports, exports.”
“Of?” she prodded.
“Anything that will make money, or give me more power. I control a good portion of the black market.”
“So you’re a real criminal,” she stated.
“In Russia, the proper term is Capitalist, which I assure you is considered more revolting than a thief. Especially since I wear a suit.”
“Is it dangerous?”
“Any worthwhile occupation for a male contains elements of danger. It is what we are bred for.”
“What of women? How are they treated?” She knew enough about the world to know that different parts of the world meant differences. How would Dmitri treat her? He tended to lean toward the autocratic.
“Women are to be cherished.”
Cherished as in restricted from doing things? That didn’t sit well if that was the case. “In other words, you think women can’t take care of themselves.”
Both his brows shot high. “Perish the thought. Women are what keep families from splintering.”
“So now you’re saying women control stuff? But what about the whole I am alpha, I’m the boss spiel?”
“I am, and I also know when to take advice. Only a stupid man challenges the ideas of an intelligent woman.”
“Mama’s boy.” She coughed it.
He should have taken offense. He smiled. “Perhaps, and yet there is no shame in admitting my mother is an intelligent woman, with a slightly overly enthusiastic response to some situations. But fear not, I’m sure she won’t do anything to you. You are, after all, my wife.”
“This is priceless. My dad is going to want to kill you and your mother might take an issue with me. So where do we hold family gatherings that have floors that are easy to mop?”
“Here of course. Our floors have centuries of history spilled into them. And a little is more or less
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