“Yes, father,” I say with a duck of my chin.
Maksim stans up straighter. “Natasha and I will have kids when we’re ready. Not before. That’s a decision between us and no one else.”
“Maksim,” Gregor murmurs but Maksim ignores him.
Lev looks like he was shot through the heart. “How can you talk to me like that?”
“It’s the truth. Natasha and I have been married only a couple of weeks now. It’s all new for us. Give us time. But we’re doing everything we can to make this marriage work. You don’t need to worry.”
“As the man in the marriage, you need to make sure everything is going smoothly,” Lev snaps back. “Even if my daughter says no, you need to have children.”
“With all due respect, Lev, I’m not going to rape my wife just to have kids. I’ll never treat my wife badly.” It’s a pointed hint.
I stare at Maksim aghast. What is he doing? My father’s jaw tenses as he stares Maksim down.
“I never said anything about rape,” he says in a low voice. “I don’t want you hurting my daughter. But certain things need to happen. And having kids is one of them.”
Maksim doesn’t back down. “And we will… in time. Now, if you’ll excuse us, my wife and I are going to enjoy the evening.” He places his hand on my back and walks me away from our fathers.
“What was that?” I whisper.
“I’m sorry. I knew I said I wasn’t going to say anything but seeing your father there… and knowing how scared he’s made you feel just made me… angry.” His eyes soften. “I like you, Natasha. I don’t want to see you scared.”
“Thank you. For standing up for me. No one has ever done that before.”
“What are husbands for? It’s my job to help protect you now. Even from your own father.”
My eyes flick over to the dance floor where couples are swaying in each other’s arms. “Do you want to dance?”
“Dance?”
“Our first dance didn’t go great. It would be nice to have a do over.”
Maksim’s smile is genuine and warms my heart. “That would be nice.” He leads me onto the dance floor and pulls me into his arms.
After a moment, I let my head rest on his chest. I can feel his heart beating. It’s the nicest thing I’ve felt in a long time.
“You feel good here,” he admits, putting his lips to my head. “I’ve never danced like this with anyone before. I never had the feelings to.”
I squeeze my eyes shut from the happiness. I might cry otherwise. “Neither have I.”
Our sweet moment is interrupted when I hear a man say, “Maksim?” behind us. It’s a voice I recognize.
Maksim tenses and lets me go, turning around to see… Enzo Bianchi standing on the dance floor. He has a pretty blonde on his arm.
“That is you,” Enzo says. “Nice to know we all donate to the same charity.”
“This is a charity my family has been donating to for decades,” Maksim seethes. “Not you. Get out.”
“It’s a free country, Maksim. I have the right to be here just as much as you do. And I’m not harming anyone. In fact, I’ve never harmed anyone.”
“Because you get others to do your dirty work for you.”
Enzo smirks and opens his mouth to speak when his eyes dart to mine and they widen. “You.”
I tense. Maksim doesn’t hesitate to put his body in front of mine.
“I thought you were some random woman at my party,” Enzo continues. “Pretty but nothing special. And yet, here you are, dancing with Maksim Petrov. How interesting. I’m assuming you are special.”
