This is fucking unacceptable.
“Dominic Montclair, Katerina’shusband.” I enunciate ‘husband’very clearly, then march over and extend my hand for him to shake. I pull Katerina from his reach and into my side. She rolls her eyes and digs her heel into my toes, but I don’t loosen my grip. This man needs to see that she’s mine. I don’t care what they were before she was my wife because they’re nothing now. He works for me, and that’s it.
I signed an agreement that he could remain her guard, but he’s now going to have one of my guards watching him.
“Nikolai Markov, but my friends call me Nik. I’ve been Katya’s guard for years. I’m grateful you’ve allowed me to continue in that role.” He shakes my hand and there’s no malice in it, but I don’t believe he has pure intentions. “She’s in great hands.”
“Nikolai, she’ll always be under my protection. The only hands she’ll be in are mine. Be sure to remember that.” I glare at him and tighten my grip on his hand. Instead of looking threatened, he just grins. This asshole doesn’t believe me.
“Yes, sir.” I don’t like his tone, even though it’s mild. I don’t like his face either.
“Take her wherever she wants to go.” I dig out my wallet and slap a black Amex withKaterina Montclairon it in his palm. “She has no limit. Text me every location you’re at. I want updates every thirty minutes.”
If he breaks a single rule of mine, I’ll send him back to the Bratva immediately. As much as I’d love to do so, I can’t break the treaty.
“Yes, sir.” His serious expression reassures me that he’ll keep her protected even if it’s because he cares for her. “Come on, Katya. Time to get a new wardrobe!”
I hate his fucking nickname for her. I hate that he calls her something special. I hate that I can’t.
“Bye, husband.” My wife winks at me, then she’s gone.
Her claiming me as her husband in front of that fucker soothes me. She doesn’t like him the way she likes me. Even if she did give him that ridiculous hug.
For the rest of the day, I stew in my office. Every meeting is taken with a frown. And every five minutes I’m checking her location. I call my guard watching them every chance I have available.
It’s a ridiculous distraction, but I can’t help it.
Katerina Montclair is consuming my thoughts.
Chapter 25
Katerina
“Katya, what the hell is going on?” Nik whisper-yells at me in the backseat of the SUV. I knew he’d have questions after Dominic’s strange behavior.
“What do you think is going on? I got married. Things change.” I keep it vague, not because I’m hiding something from my best friend, but because I don’t know what the hell is going on!
“I need details!” Nik’s demands shouldn’t catch me by surprise. He’s always been nosy.
“We live together. That’s it.”
“That’s not it. Girl, the way he was acting… That man’s obsessed with you. He almost attacked me for hugging you!” His smile drops, and he crinkles his nose in disgust. “As if I’d ever think of you like that. You’re like my little sister.”
“No, he didn’t, and he certainly isn’t obsessed with me. But even if he were, a little jealousy is good for a man.” I think I’m trying to convince myself too. He couldn’t possibly be interested in me.
Nik just rolls his eyes.
“He isn’t!” I’m more forceful this time, but it doesn’t seem to be convincing anyone.
“And what makes you so sure?” His eyebrows raise as if he’s certain he’s gotten me this time.
“Maybe because I stabbed him yesterday. Only a crazy man would be obsessed with the woman that stabbed them!” The memory of the fucking plastic knife mocking me at breakfast has me rolling my eyes. I saw his expression. He thought he was so clever with that move.
“You did what?” Nik practically shouts at me. I elbow him to keep his voice down.
“He was being a dick at dinner, so I stabbed him in the thigh with my steak knife. Sue me!” Looking back with a clear head has me feeling less hesitant about my actions and, instead, proud of them.
“Are you fucking insane? How are you still alive?” Nik’s still speaking too loudly, so I pinch his ear. “FUCK!” He flicks my hand off him and pinches my arm.
