“How can I not trust you?” I whisper, more tears coming. “You’re giving me a whole new lease on life—without my father lording it over me.” I haven’t cried since the night I realized I was in trouble. After that, I steeled my resolve, determined to find a way out of the mess I made.
Then Viktor swept in like some kind of knight in shining armor—with green eyes and a Russian accent. He’s never once made me feel bad. Never asked me how I could be so stupid. Never even asked about my grandmother’s farm. He just offered me a solution. Money. The kind of safety net I didn’t know existed.
For that alone, I could never betray him, no matter what happens.
Emotion overwhelms me and the tears come faster than I can stop them. I’m trying to explain but crying too hard to do it.
Out of nowhere, Viktor wraps his arms around me, holding me tight against his chest, murmuring against my temple like I’m a child.
And I let him.
Chapter Four
Viktor
I didn’t plan to put my arms around her. To comfort her. To hold her close and let her cry. But as she stood there sobbing, trying unsuccessfully to explain herself, I couldn’t take it. A woman’s tears are my kryptonite, much as I hate to admit it. And this particular woman is my wife.
No one has to remind me this is a business deal. I’m quite aware of the contract we signed, and what the plan is for the next year. What I didn’t anticipate—what we both had somehow forgotten—is that we’re still human beings with emotions, thoughts, and vulnerabilities. Things that aren’t covered in those papers we signed.
Like how I’ll react when I see her crying like her heart is breaking.
Or how I’ll carry her to bed when she drinks too much, even if I can’t touch her.
Or how protective I feel when my friend is cold to her.
That’s something I’m going to fix. Kelly and I are going to talk about it as soon as I get her alone. I love Kelly like a sister. I appreciate her friendship and how much she’s helped me since we met. But I will not tolerate her upsetting my wife. She didn’t actually do anything—this is about her attitude. The fact that Holly knows she doesn’t like her. And it’s unacceptable.
I understand that she doesn’t approve of the decision we made. That’s fair. West and Serena were somewhat taken aback as well, but they support us. Kelly is being overprotective and unfair. Holly didn’t do this by herself. She didn’t hold a gun to my head and demand money. All of this was my idea. Taking it out on Holly isn’t right.
So, I’m holding her close, stroking her hair, and whispering to her in Russian that everything is going to be okay. That I’m going to make sure of it. That she can trust me. I say them in Russian because it’s easier but also because I’m not sure I can articulate the way I feel in English. Especially about her. We don’t have to be in love for me to be protective—and seeing her this upset really bothers me.
“Do not cry,” I finally say in English, when her sobs have become soft sniffles and hiccoughs. I pull away enough to lift her chin with two fingers. “As your husband, I will protect you. From the press, from your father, from the sharks. For this, you must trust me.”
“You’ve already done so much—I feel like I’m taking advantage of you.” Her eyes fill with tears again, and I shake my head firmly.
“You are not. I am grown man with many millions of dollars. I have power, money, and very good career. You cannot force me to do anything. This is my idea, remember?”
She nods, her eyes searching my face. “I just don’t know if we’re doing the right thing. Your friends hate me, your mother is going to?—”
I cut her off. “My friends do not hate. Only worry. About both. And yes, my mother will be difficult. She is why you get so much money.” I try to smile, to add a little levity to an emotional moment.
“But my dad is going to be a pain in the ass too.”
“We discuss this, no?”
“I know. I just…” She dips her head and shudders a little. “I’ve never felt so alone.”
“You are not alone.” I force her to look at me again. “I am your husband. We make promise to take care of each other for one year. Yes?” I wait for her to respond.
She nods slowly.
“For one year, even if there is not love, there will be trust and friendship. I need you just as you need me. Is not upside down.”
She manages a watery smile.
“We will be okay. You will see. Trust me. Please.”
I don’t know why this is so important to me, but it is.
