Scarlet Vows by Kira Cole

ILYA

When I discover my late grandfather left me his bratva empire,

I’m excited for a chance to finally prove myself.

But there’s a catch: I need to get married.

Alina, my best friend’s little sister, offers to help me out.

But I immediately turn her down.

The problem is, she won’t take no for an answer.

This marriage will benefit us both.

I get my inheritance.

She gets the creep who’s been bothering her off her back.

Her friendship means everything to me.

If I agree to marry her, I’m putting our entire friendship at risk,

because I haven’t been completely honest with her.

Eventually, she’s going to figure out the truth.

That I’m in love with her.

If she doesn’t feel the same way, I could lose everything.

ALINA

Ilya is so much more than just my brother’s best friend.

He was my rock after my fiancé died.

He’s the person I turn to when I’m feeling sad.

He’s one of my closest friends.

Naturally, I jump at the chance to help him out.

It’s just a fake marriage, right?

I didn’t consider is how triggering getting married would be for me.

Or that getting closer to Ilya would lead to unexpected feelings.

I want to open my heart up to love again,

but how can I when I feel so guilty letting go of the past?