“So? I don’t understand why that mattersnow,forme.”
“Kostya is my responsibility, butyouare my empire. You are myloyalty.You arethe entire worldto me, and I will sacrificeanything I must to keep you safe. I will do whatever the Russian president and Volkov want, and you will besafe.”
“That’s ridiculous. What those two guys want is mutually exclusive. There’s obviously no way you could do both of them at once. You were planning to use your influence to keep me safe from Volkov before. That’s still the plan now. Bystayingwith you, I’ll be safe from—Vlad the Impaler.”
His hand gestures were becoming jerkier with frustration, and he pointed toward the door. “I’m paying every one of those lawyers out there. If I tell them to negotiate a separation settlement, they will, no matter what you say.”
“You made promises tome.You made oathsto meinyourchurch, inyourreligion, whichyousaid made it binding.”
He ran one hand through his hair, practically jerking on the black strands. “It’s a social contract, not a bond forged in Heaven.”
“That’s now what your priest said, and it’s not what you said.”
“Ensnaring me in a theological conundrum isn’t going to win you debate points. I’m trying to save your life!”
“And no one else in the world cares if I live or die!”
Nicolai sucked in a breath like he’d been punched in the gut, and he hung his head.“Lexi.”
“So Iwant tostay, don’t you see? I don’t have anywhere else to go, and no one else cares that I don’t.”
He lifted his head, a terrible understanding in his eyes. “And nothing matters.”
“Yes! Finally, you get it! Nothing matters. I don’t have anyone else, and no one cares. So I want to stay with you. Just let me stay for a little while longer. Let me pretend that I matter toyou.”
“You do matter to me, Lexi. You are everything to me. I would run away with you, but they would find us. Instead, let me save you.”
“This is impossible, Nicolai. This is just impossible.”
“The lawyers are outside. Doubtlessly, they have been arriving as we are speaking. I’ll tell them I’m divorcing you and have them file the paperwork.”
“You told them to draw up a post-nuptial contract. That’s what they’re going to be expecting you to sign.Doubtlessly,they’ll be holdingthatpaperwork, ready for your signature.”
“They’re my lawyers. They’ll do what I say.”
“Victoria ismylawyer. I signed up on her app withher.And I am paying her, for all intents and purposes. Sort of. She won’t let you take advantage of me.”
“Then I won’t sign the contract.”
“We didn’t sign a pre-nup before the wedding. I can tie this up in court for years. I can tie up your whole life with the annulment priests or whatever you called them,forever.”
“The ecclesiastical court.”
“Whatever.I can make your life hell, but no matter what, I can remain married to you for quite a long time. Or, you can let me help you see this through.And thenwe’ll separate, when we’re both safe.”
Nicolai’s shoulders drooped. “I’ll be damned. It turns out that you’re a very good negotiator.”
“Oh, ye of little faith,” I said. “My mom always said I could argue the leg off a cow.”
Nicolai paused, probably picturing that situation. “That does seem like a lot of arguing. But, it’s on one condition.”
“Oh, my gosh. What now?” I sighed.
“At the very least, if I say run, yourun.If I tell you to leave me in a situation, youleave.No questions. No arguing. If there is danger,you save yourself.”
“Don’t be a heroine, huh?” I snarked.
“Stay alive, or I will die not having forgiven myself. I swear to God, there could be no worse Hell for me.”
