She almost chokes, "Live together? Here?"
Knowing it's time to stand my ground, I say, "We'll live in my apartment."
There's no fucking way we're living with her parents. Mariya turns her wide gaze to me. "I have to move in with you?"
Without hesitation, I nod. "Yes."
When she inhales sharply, turning a pleading gaze to her father, he shakes his head. "You've made this bed, you will sleep in it. At the very least, for six months. We can't have an annulment a day after you got married. It will make us the laughing stock of the fucking world. Over my dead body, will I allow that to happen."
Reaching for Mariya, I place my hand over hers. When she locks eyes with me, I say, "Six months won't kill us."
"That's what you think," she mutters, pulling her hand free
from mine.
"It's settled," Uncle Alexei says. Getting up, he goes to pour himself a drink. After downing the vodka, he mutters, "Luca, join me in the study."
"Put on the ring," I order Mariya before I get up and follow her father.
When I walk into the study and shut the door, Uncle Alexei pours himself another vodka. I wait for him to down the alcohol.