Page 28 of The Russian's Bought Bride

Family…so that’s what this man is to him.

Something twists in my gut as pieces gradually form together in my mind, even if I don’t have the full picture yet.

This sounds bigger than some simple business. If they’re talking about units of people, then this is something organized, not just a man working to uncover shady individuals.

Pressing myself flatter against the wall, my heart beats faster now.

“You don’t need to worry about my priorities,” Liam says, voice dropping further. “Everything that needs to get done will get done.”

“What, on your time? That’s not how this works,” the other man snaps. “We all carry weight. You don’t just get to decide you’re doing your own thing while the rest of us pick up the slack.”

“I’m well aware,” Liam says finally. “I’m not dropping anything. You know me better than that.”

The other man pauses like he’s considering that point, then he huffs an irritated breath. “I’m serious. Whatever you’ve got going on, you need to figure it out before it starts bleeding into our operations.”

“It won’t.”

“You don’t know that.”

“I do.”

It sounds like the other wants to argue, but he scrubs a hand down his face and lowers his voice. “Just don’t make me clean up something you could’ve avoided.”

Aside from his annoyance, concern surrounds his words and gives me the feeling that this is more than just business. This is personal, and I hate that I don’t understand any of it.

After more tense silence, Liam breaks it. “Are we done?”

“For now,” the other man replies. “But don’t forget about our meeting tomorrow. I’m counting on you to be there, Nikolai. Non-negotiable.”

Everything in me stills as that name registers, narrowing everything down to this very moment.

Nikolai?

Not Liam…Nikolai.

The man said it clear as day, leaving no room for doubt.

His name isn’t even Liam. He lied even about that, so what else has he lied about?

As the questions start stacking up, my heart slams against my ribs, and I’m moving before I can fully process it.

Stepping out from the hallway, the movement is sudden enough that both of them turn instantly, and two pairs of eyes land on me with immediate focus.

One I know, and one I don’t.

The stranger stands there, tall and looming, yet composed, and his expression sharpens as he takes me in. It’s like I can see the gears turning in his head, trying to work out why I’m here, and who I am.

But it’s Liam, or Nikolai, that I focus on.

For the first time since I’ve known him, he looks caught, and I don’t let it get past me.

Before he can stop it, guilt floods his features, letting me know without a doubt that I’ve just stepped into something I wasn’t supposed to see. Something he’s been keeping from me, and something far bigger than I thought.

Fear creeps back in, reminding me at once that I don’t know this man, or what any of this means for me. I don’t know what they’re planning, or what I’m supposed to do.

Now, I’m not just confused, but completely in over my head.

Chapter 9 - Nikolai