I appreciated his sentiments, but it didn’t change the facts. “I’m marrying Mila in two weeks.”
He froze. “That was quick. Are you sure that’s something you want to do?”
“I’m fine with the new objectives,” I lied.
“Giselle indicated that her boss, Richard, is balking at the formal request for immunity for Mila.”
“She’s not involved in the business. Neither were her parents.”
“His stance is that she’s still part of the family and she’s currently benefitting from the money their crime brings in.”
“She’s not choosing that willingly.”
“By Canadian law, if she’s living under the same roof, it makes her complicit.”
“She’s a Canadian citizen being trafficked for her passport.”
“I’m on your side, but I wanted you to know where the friction on this is coming from.”
My phone buzzed with a text.
Mila: SOS. In dining room with Lena. Wedding stuff.
That wasn’t a message I could ignore.
“Yuri, you know I don’t like ultimatums.”
“I know.”
“But I’m not involving myself with Canada if they can’t protect her. Out of everyone, she’s the only innocent party.”
“I’m not arguing with you.”
I shrugged. “Let Richard know that I’m set up to come to Canada, but will only do this with her immunity in place.”
He closed his book. “For the record, I think you’re right on this one.”
I arrivedat Grisha’s house thirty minutes later and walked in without preamble, making my way to the family dining room located next to the library.
I stood at the doorway and surveyed the scene.
Mila sat in the middle of the long table, looking dejected. That look on her face could get us both in trouble. I was on thin ice with Mila and this sham of a wedding. Any undue friction could blow it all up in my face. Right now, Grisha thought Mila was here on her own accord.
Containment was the only reason I was responding to an SOS text from Mila in the middle of the day.
Around her were stacks of binders. Three women in suits were off to the side, comparing fabric samples and talking among themselves.
Lena stood over Mila with a sour look on her face. “I know that the rose napkins could contrast nicely with the ivory setting of the plates, but I’m not sure how that would translate to the seat covers. In this short time frame, we are limited by our linens.”
Time for me to play shining knight.
I sent her a text and watched her read it.
Me: Be happy to see me
Mila’s gaze lifted from her phone to me, and I watched as she went through a series of emotions when she saw me.
Surprise.
