My mouth opened and no sound came out. Falling silent, I tried to memorize where he was taking me in case I needed to run. But the restaurant was only three blocks away. So even if I did, I wouldn’t have far to go to get my belongings.
It was closed, and it looked like it had been closed for a long time. Alexei stood on the sidewalk and scowled at the boarded-up windows like if he got angry enough then it would magically open.
Joining him, I shivered. “I know a place not far from here,” I said quietly.
“I didn’t ask,” he began to say and stopped himself. “Lead on then, Amy, and here.” Before I could stop him, his own jacket was off and settling over my shoulders. It swamped me, but God it was warm.
I led the way forward, a million thoughts rushing through my mind, and he fell into step beside me. Every single person who walkedpast us stared at him. Some of them quite openly, some moved out of his way like he was a king.
It was fascinating to watch how much respect he commanded.
“This is it?” Forcing a smile, I motioned to the small hole-in-the-wall bistro. “It doesn’t do anything fancy.” I pushed open the door and was hit in the face by the smell of warm cinnamon-scented pastries. “But I think your grandfather might enjoy something from here.”
Alexei glanced around, an almost sneer on his face as he pointed to a table in the corner. “My grandfather has always had simpler tastes.” He speared me to the spot as I took my seat.
It was pretty clear that the simple thing his grandfather liked was me.
“Personally, I have more refined tastes, but my grandfather is very special to me, Amy, so I’ll do what he asks.”
The blood drained from my face. “I’m sorry—what?”
“Us getting married.” He said it like it was the most obvious thing in the world. Signaling to the waitress, he ordered for the both of us.
“You can’t be serious,” I said finally, because what else could I say? Maybe he was as crazy as his grandfather.
“Deadly.” Steepling his hands together, he leaned forward. “My grandfather is very taken with you after you saved his life.”
My eyes went wide like saucers in my face, and I leaned backwards. He was too big and too close, and it felt like I couldn’t breathe.
“I didn’t do anything of the type. I just did my job.”
“That’s exactly what I said, but he wants you in his life and my life as well, it seems.”
He didn’t sound happy about either of those things. And neither was I.
“He tells me your sister is sick, but he didn’t say how sick.”
Tears sprang into my eyes, but I couldn’t find the words to tell him she was dying. I didn’t even want to think of how little time I had left with her.
“I see,” he sighed. “Well, I think we could help each other out then. Me with your sister and you agreeing would make my grandfather very happy in his last years.”
“You want to help my sister?” Through my tears, I searched his face.
“As my wife, she would be my sister as well. And family is very important to me.”
“This is crazy.” Reaching up, I dragged my hair free from the clip so that the curls fell around my face. “You can’t be serious?”
“Deadly. My grandfather wants us to be married, and I’ll do whatever he wants. I owe him that much.”
For the space of two heartbeats, I stared at him. “I can see that you care about him deeply, but this is nuts. You can’t encourage these kinds of delusions with him. It’s not healthy.” Standing up, my chair scraped back against the tile with a screech. I shrugged his jacket from my shoulders. “I have to go back to work.”
“Sit down, Amy,” he snapped, and my stomach twisted at the sound of the order in his voice. He was the kind of man who was used to being obeyed.
“Now.”
My heart lurched into my throat, but my shoulders straightened. “I’m sorry, but I can’t do that, and I can’t marry you either. This whole situation is,” I paused, and a giggle left my lips before I could stop it. “Absurd. Have a good day, Alexei. I am sure I will see you when you visit Nikolai.”
Still giggling to myself, I headed towards the door. What a weird situation to be in. It wasn’t just crazy. It was ludicrous, like something out of a movie. And it was even crazier than Alexei seemed willing to marry me, just because his grandfather wanted him to. He didn’t even like me.
