"You'll be with me," I remind him.
“His territory. His men.”
I understand that he’s saying as much as he can protect me, we’ll be outnumbered going into Maksim’s turf.
We'll be at Maksim's mercy once inside.
Still, this is my reality now.
I need to get used to it.
"We don't have a choice," I say, then add with forced lightness, "At least I get to pick whatever flowers I want without his input."
Cristian's jaw tightens. "I need to clear this change with your brother first."
I nod. "Go ahead. I'll look around while you make the call."
As he steps away to contact Alessandro, I wander deeper into the shop. I pause before a display of dark burgundy dahlias.
"These are gorgeous.”
"They represent dignity and strength," she says, "although in other parts of the world, it’s thought to represent instability and even danger.”
My hand freezes above the bloom.
How fitting for a marriage built on political alliance rather than love.
"I'll take these for my bouquet," I decide impulsively.
I glance toward Cristian as he speaks with Alessandro.
He catches me watching and our eyes lock.
The connection causes a welling of yearning followed by frustration.
Cristian approaches me, tucking his phone away. "Alessandro says it's fine." His words are clipped, telling me he’s not happy about my brother’s approval.
"You don't agree." I move to another display of flowers.
"It doesn't matter what I think." He falls into step beside me.
I pick up a pretty white lily. "Since when has that stopped you from having an opinion?"
The corner of his mouth twitches. "I don't like it," he admits quietly. "Maksim's territory means his rules."
"Let's worry about that later," I suggest, setting the lily down. "For now, help me choose some flowers that don't scream 'sacrificial bride'."
He shakes his head. "I'm not sure flowers are my area of expertise."
"Humor me." I lead him toward the shop's attached greenhouse garden.
As we walk between rows of vibrant flowers, our hands brush accidentally.
The contact sends electricity racing up my arm, and I resist the urge to intertwine my fingers with his.
After what happened in the car, I'm not eager for another rejection.
Still, I can't help noticing how his eyes linger on me when I bend to smell a cluster of gardenias.
