I huff out an irritated breath and lean back against the counter behind me. “And if I don’t?”
Finally, he looks at me, letting me feel the full weight of those dark eyes. “Things get unpleasant for everyone.”
The words startle me, surprised by the quiet threat. So far, he hasn’t been aggressive, even if that’s exactly what I’ve been expecting from him.
Then, before I can argue, he’s gone.
The door closes behind him, locking securely, and for a long time, I just stand there. My heart races, and my thoughts spiral uselessly.
I’m married to someone who doesn’t want to be known, let alone perceived, and I’m trapped in a house with a man who refuses to explain himself.
Even worse, I feel far too curious about him for my own good.
Chapter 9 - Wyatt
I’ve done a lot of things I’m not proud of, but this…I don’t like this.
The thought has been grinding in my skull on a loop for several days now, and it only seems to grow sharper each time I look at her.
Elena Lukov is my wife on paper, and the most inconvenient complication I’ve added to my life since the day I chose to fake my own death.
Everything I do, I do it for Lily. At least, that’s the justification I keep reaching for.
I keep recalling what Patch said, and how she’s good leverage. Protection, even, regardless of how twisted.
She’s the key to getting me close enough to the Lukovs to pull Lily out of there.
I know all that, and I still hate how I’ve gone about it.
Forcing marriage on anyone, especially someone like Elena, cuts through the lines I’ve carved for myself years ago, and ones I’ve sworn I’d never cross. I’ve always told myself that the unsavory things I’ve done were necessary evils. They were strategic and as clean as possible.
But this wasn’t clean, and yet, I have her with me.
She’s staying. That part isn’t negotiable until I have my sister back and a clean exit planned for Elena.
Really, it would be an easy trade. Elena for Lily. Done and done.
Yet, every time I think about making that exchange, my irritation flares at the very concept of handing Elena over toanyone. Even if it’s a deal that gives me exactly what I’ve been wanting all along.
It doesn’t make any sense. I barely know Elena, and I’ve put my heart and soul into recovering my sister. I built an entire second life just to keep her alive, and to one day return in whatever way I can.
The idea of letting Elena go leaves a raw feeling in my chest, and I can’t make sense of it. I don’t have any answers for myself, even if I hate unanswered questions.
So I bury it and push forward like I normally do. It’s not like the city would give me time to dwell on it anyway.
Every day since the ambush feels more like navigating a minefield with Elena right behind me. I move constantly, switching routes, changing vehicles, and safe houses, and every questionable figure gets a second look.
The Balakins have been relatively still ever since Yuri was locked up by Lukovs, and the Grimaldis are regrouping, preparing themselves for a manhunt. And Elena’s brothers are patient predators when they can be, but I know they’ll be scouring, waiting for the smallest crack to open.
I’m banking on the fact that Elena lives a life outside of the business her family conducts, and maybe the odd few days without making contact isn’t out of the norm. It buys me time, at least.
But, with everyone having skin in the game, I can’t let Elena out of my sight.
She goes everywhere with me now, and she hates it.
It’s obvious in the way her jaw tightens every time I tell her to get ready, along with the sharp glances she throws at me when I hand her another disguise—wigs, a hat she wouldnever choose to wear, scarves, and sunglasses to cover her eyes. Whatever keeps her hair tucked away, and her face partially obscured.
She doesn’t like meshing into my routine, and she certainly doesn’t like that her life has been sucked into my orbit.
