Was Amy beautiful? In her own way, she was stunning. Amy might not have the supermodel look that Violet had, but her soul made her beautiful. Looks-wise, she was—
“Amy is pretty enough.”
I don’t know what made me say it. Amy wasn’t just pretty, she was—
Violet leaned forward, giving me a clear view down the front of her dress, and my thoughts scattered.
“Alexei.” Leaning across the table, she slid her hand over mine. “That’s no way of talking about the woman you love.”
I blinked rapidly, and instantly she saw it.
“You do love your wife, don’t you, Alexei?” she asked sweetly.
I went perfectly still. Did I love Amy? I had been sure she had been about to say it this morning and had stopped herself at the last minute. Would I have said it back and meant it?
I liked spending time with Amy. I enjoyed her company more than I ever thought possible, and recently, making her smile was the highlight of my day. But did I love her?
“It’s complicated.”
Violet’s pale eyes widened. “Then why did you marry her? Oh.”
I knew the moment realization hit her.
“The old man forced you to.”
“He does have a name, you know,” I snapped before I could help myself. Amy never called him anything other than his name, and he called her daughter.
“Of course, I’m sorry.” Violet twisted her hands together, and when she looked at me, there were tears swimming in her blue eyes again. “God, I am in so much trouble.” Wildly, she looked around. She was looking for someone. I followed her gaze, but nothing felt out of the ordinary.
“I shouldn’t have dragged this to your doorstep, Alexei. I am so sorry. You have a wife now, and your priority has to be her.”
“Don’t worry about Amy and my relationship. She will understand.” I hoped anyway. “She’s a good person like that. She would want me to help you. Tell me who the baby’s dad is, Violet. Why can’t you go to him for help?
“He’s a bad man, Alexei,” she whispered. “He can never know I’m carrying his child. He would take it.” Her hand pressed against her stomach, and I watched as her fingers cradled the tiny bump. “He willprobably kill me and take it unless I can find someone to protect my baby and me. I know it’s a lot to ask you but—”
I couldn’t help myself. I reached out across the table and took her hand. “There’s bad man, Violet, and then there’s me.” I meant every word. “No one is going to hurt you or your baby. I promise.”
Chapter Eighteen
Amy
Excitement gripped me as I waited for Alexei to arrive, excitement and nerves. Mrs. Cole had told me I’d arranged everything perfectly and that Alexei would be over the moon. I hoped she was right because he had been so busy, leaving early in the morning and coming home long after I had fallen asleep. If the sheets hadn’t smelled like him, I wouldn’t have known he had come home at all.
He was busy with some business. That’s all I had been told. That had been Friday when he had given me some art supplies and then quickly left again.
Clearly, he was stressed, and I wanted to take some of that away from him and give him the best birthday ever, so at least for one night, he could relax and smile again because damn I had missed that smile.
“Well look at you, Amy, what a showstopper,” Misha exclaimed as he came to stand next to me.
Gabriella swatted his arm. “Behave yourself.” Grinning from ear to ear, she beamed at me. “He’s right, though. That dress on you is dynamite. Alexei won’t be able to take his eyes off of you.
“Or his hands.” Misha wiggled his eyebrows, and I couldn’t help but laugh. Out of all his friends I had met over the last few months,Misha and Gabriella were my favorites. They were so easy-going and relaxed.
Gabriella threw her husband a look, but there was no anger in it. They were honestly the best couple I had ever met.
“I hope so.” Nervously, I smoothed my sweaty hands down the red velvet dress. Red because that was his favourite color, so I had been told.
“He’s here.” Someone whispered, and the small crowd around me fell silent. So silent in fact that the only thing I could hear was the sound of my rapidly beating heartbeat.
