Freedom. Revenge. Justice for what I did to her four years ago.
A dozen reasons, all of them valid.
“It doesn’t matter,” I say. “She won’t get anywhere.”
“This time. What happens when they approach her again? She could be working with them right now.”
“They won’t get the chance.”
“You can’t watch her every second.”
“Then I’ll make sure she doesn’t want what they’re offering.” I stand, needing movement.
Felix watches me pace, expression unreadable. “You’re in love with her.”
The words stop me mid-stride. “What?”
“You’re in love with your wife. That’s why you’re not interrogating her. Why you’re giving her the benefit of the doubt. Why the thought of her betraying you looks like it’s tearing you apart.”
“That’s nonsense.”
“It’s true, and dangerous.” Felix stands. “Love makes you vulnerable, Dimitri. It makes you predictable. Your enemies will use it against you.”
“Let them try.”
“They already are. The Zullos targeted her specifically because they saw how you reacted when that man touched her at the event. The entire room saw it. You made your weakness obvious.”
“She’s not a weakness.”
“Then what is she?”
I don’t have an answer. Can’t articulate what Janice has become in the months since I forced her into this marriage. More than a liability. More than an acquisition. More than even the woman who tried to destroy me once and might try again.
“She’s mine,” I say finally. “That’s all that matters.”
Felix shakes his head but doesn’t argue further. “I’ll tighten security around her. Increase surveillance. Make sure no one else gets close enough to make contact.”
“Do it subtly. I don’t want her feeling more caged than she already does.”
“You’re asking me to protect her while making sure she doesn’t notice she’s being protected. That’s nearly impossible.”
“Figure it out. You’re good at impossible.”
He gathers his things, pauses at the door. “Dimitri? When you do talk to her—when you get details about who approached her and what they wanted—don’t let emotion cloud your judgment. We need actionable intelligence, not reassurances.”
“I know how to do my job, Felix.”
“I know you do. I’m just not sure you remember that when it comes to her.”
He leaves, and I’m alone again with my thoughts and the evidence of Janice’s almost-betrayal sitting in a trash can two rooms away.
I should wake her. Should demand answers while the fear of discovery is still fresh, while she’s still raw enough to give me everything.
Instead, I return to the bedroom.
She’s curled on her side, wearing my shirt, hair spilled across the pillow. The moonlight catches the curve of her hip, the soft line of her shoulder. She looks peaceful. Innocent.
Nothing like a woman who was considering betrayal hours ago.
