The next shot was of us standing outside my resort’s door, still in our obstacle course attire, and we were deep in a lip-lock with Daniil opening the door behind me, but his hair covered half of our faces—not the best picture. Then there was another shot of us, clearly me, staring blindly out the bus window, wrapped in Daniil’s arms with his chin on my head, clearly him, also staring blindly out the window. Another shot of us on the dance floor, getting down and dirty, both of us wearing expressions like we’d rather be in bed. And the clincher—a picture of Daniil and I leaving the building today—only hours ago—with my parents on either side of us, helping us to the limo, while we wore shaken expressions…with the name of the obstetrician business practice in the background on the building.
“Oh, fuck,” I muttered.
“Elizabeth,” Mom scolded.
“No, Mom. This is definitely a fuck moment,” I managed to say.
Eva nodded slowly, her eyes narrowing. “Papa, get over here. There’s another situation.”
Everyone at the table froze at the deadly tone in her voice, stopping whatever conversation they were having with Daniil and Artur about the phone call. Daniil came over and I showed him the pictures. His jaw was clenched, and he hissed, “Scroll down.” He added, “Please.”
I did, not really wanting to read the article. And…yeah…I really didn’t want to read it. And I seriously hoped my parents didn’t read it. I groaned a few times during it.
Micah apparently caught Daniil and my drunken walk from the bar to the elevator but didn’t have his camera with him. That’s when the story started. He gave an in-depth description of all of our comings and goings throughout the event, apparently following us. And I had to give it to him—he had patience, unlike any other reporter I’ve ever known, waiting for the prime story. Like I had done with Grigori. A story that would boost his career. Us, separately entering the OBGYN’s office, and then the perfect picture of us leaving, leaving us all to come up with our own assumptions on why Daniil and I had looked so heart-stricken exiting the building.
“You were…under the table at the club?” Eva sputtered.
My lips pinched. Yeah, Micah had been very thorough. “Daniil, you done?”
“Yes,” he growled, and I snapped the laptop closed.
He started pacing, and in the silence, I asked, “Mom. Dad. Are your cell phones still off?” They normally turned them off when they sat down for dinner, so they wouldn’t be interrupted.
Both said, “Yes.”
“I wouldn’t turn them on anytime soon if I were you. There’s an article running about Daniil and me from a reporter that was at the resort.” I rubbed my temples, muttering dryly, “And he did a stellar job getting the story.”
Dad sat forward, even as my mom’s face went blank, and he asked calmly, “How bad is it?”
I whimpered. “Probably not something I would want you guys reading.” Honesty was needed right now. Micah had followed so well, he indicated each time Daniil and I had gotten it on, and his numbers weren’t wrong, or where it took place.
There was a pause, and my dad cleared his throat. “Okay,” he cleared his throat again, “and there’s reference to the babies?”
“Implied with a picture of the four of us leaving the OBGYN’s office,” I stated factually, trying to get control of myself.
Dad sat back silently, and Mom whispered, “Well, James. We knew this was a possibility.” Mom stood abruptly and started pacing right along with Daniil. “I’ll be fired for sure, but that’ll give me the opportunity to stay by her side. Try to help her with the babies and keep her safe.”
My heart sank. Mom loved her job. And they went into this because I had wanted to be with Daniil. Probably one of the worst people I could have picked for their professions—their livelihood. I started to tear up, and I mumbled shakily, “I can give up my apartment and move back home and help with the bills.”
Eva slapped a hand down on my thigh, her expression turned fierce. “Do you seriously think Papa is going to let you guys go poor?”
“Eva, hush,” Daniil ordered, placing his hands on my shoulders. “She should know this already.” He started massaging my shoulders gently and stated coldly to his children, “Get on the phone. We’ll need more guards brought over. Enough for Mr. and Mrs. Forter. I want another three put on Elizabeth. And at least ten more for the house. Two more limos. And I want construction on a house started on the property to the west of us for Mr. and Mrs. Forter. Cancel Elizabeth’s rental agreement on her apartment. Have all of her items brought here, along with some items from her parents’ house for them.” He paused. “And contact the Dr. Wisser and have him put Elizabeth’s files in a secure location offsite.” He released my stunned shoulder, barking, “Now, kids!”
My parents were sputtering, just like me. He ignored us and his children, who all were on their cell phones now. Daniil pointed at Kirill. “You’re coming out of retirement. I’m going to need your services again.” Kirill nodded instantly with hardness in his gaze I hadn’t seen before, and Daniil muttered, “Hire Lion Security if needed.” He jerked his head at Zane, Stash, and Carl. “I want the asshole who called her found, and I want him here, in front of me—alive, within twenty-four hours. And any of those colleagues he mentioned if you deem them threats. Artur’s got the name and number. That’ll give you a starting point.”
Dad managed to state in the pause, “I can’t accept what you’re offering.”
Daniil walked to him, and they stood, staring at one another, and I had to listen hard through the noise around the table to hear Daniil state softly, “You’re giving Elizabeth and I a chance without interference. You and your wife are smart enough that you knew the consequences of our relationship. Take my hospitality and generosity. Elizabeth needs you. She loves you.” He paused, and stated calmly, “And, honestly, after that article, if you want to stay alive, you need to take it. My enemies won’t just come after her or me. If they see a weak point, they will strike there first. And you don’t want to be the weak point, trust me. No matter what, your lives will never be the same now. But…you already know this.”
Dad was silent for a full minute, my mom standing slightly behind him, waiting for his judgment as he just stared at Daniil. And then, he leaned in and whispered something to him.
Daniil’s lips twitched as he listened to my dad, his eyes dancing to me and twinkling before Dad pulled away. And he nodded, saying something back just as quietly, his face turned serious when Dad could see him.
Dad ran a hand through his hair. “Well, I guess we can sell the house and stay here for a little while. But, whatever profits we get from it will go to whatever you’re planning for us. I won’t just let you give us a house.”
Daniil nodded respectfully. “If that’s what you want.”
Mom sighed, apparently going along with whatever Dad agreed to. “James, the pews are going to be empty now.”
