This version of Nico, standing instead of stumbling, his iceberg-teal eyes so sharp that his gaze felt like a knife to my throat, was an entirely different man than last night.
This was the first time I’d seen Nicolai Romanov even moderately sober.
Last night when he’d found me, he’d clearly been alcohol-poisoning drunk.
Even earlier this morning, the booze had been working its way out of his system.
Now, his eyes tracked me like a laser sight.
“You don’t mean that,” I said.
“I absolutely do. I propose we get a notary public up here and sign that marriage license. We’ll stay married for a year. At the end of it, I’ll need an amicable civil divorce and your help obtaining an annulment from the Orthodox church.”
His about-face on his reaction to the wedding was disconcerting, and I felt like I’d been spun around, too. “But you said annulments aren’t easy to get.”
He shrugged, sighing. “Last night, I convinced a priest to baptize and chrismate you, and then perform the sacrament of marriage without the preparation and counselingrequiredbefore any one of those three rites. Do you even know the catechism?”
“The cat-a-what?”
“Exactly.”
“I meant to talk to you about how you ordered that priest around. That was weird.”
He looked at his phone, frowning. “Let’s just say that I don’t think an annulment will be a problem, assuming we can show there was an initial defect in the marriage. We do need to give them plausible reasons.”
Quick knocking pounded on the hallway door again, and a woman’s voice yelled, “Room service!”
Nico opened the door, apparently unconcerned that he was still wearing only a short towel that barely covered his swimsuit-parts.
A bellhop pushed the cart in. “Mr. Romanov, the staff again apologizes for not recognizing you. We appreciate your patronage of this hotel, and we would like to upgrade you and your guest to one of the penthouse suites?—”
“Yes, yes. I’m not sure how long we’ll be staying. We’ll let you know.” He shooed her out and closed the door behind her, turning to face me. “As I was saying?—”
“Look, Nico, you seem like a nice enough guy.”
“—remaining married could solve a rather unfortunate situation that others seem determined to involve me in.”
“And I don’t know what’s going on with you, but making sure that a drunk guy doesn’t get rolled or taken advantage of for one night is an entirely different situation thanstayingmarried to someone I don’t even know.”
“The facade would require a signed pre-nup, a few appearances at social events and other obligations, and as I mentioned, an amicable divorce at the end and your help with an annulment.”
“Yeah, I got that. But I don’t know, Nico. This seems wrong.”
“I’m willing to negotiate a substantial settlement to be paid after one year of marriage.”
“I don’t think it’s a good—” Substantial?Paid?“What do you mean, a settlement?”
“Financial compensation for your time.”
“Deal,” I said.
Hey, I was living in my car.
I owned nothing,absolutely nothing,except my old beater sedan, a few casual clothes, and that stupid froufrou wedding dress. I was getting money for food by busking with my living bride statue routine on the street in Vegas, all because I’d trusted the wrong guy.
I neededcash.
Nico carried a tray from the room service cart to the small table beside me and sat in the other chair, laid plates for each of us, and draped his napkin across his lap before stabbing his fork into the berries. “We should discuss the terms.”
