Page 30 of The Russian's Bought Bride

Roman studies me hard, not jumping into any accusations like I expected him to.

He knows me well enough to read between the lines, to see when I’m serious, when I’m bluffing, and when I can’t compromise information. That is perhaps the only reason he hasn’t ripped me to shreds just to get to the center of it all.

“And she’s part of that?” he asks, nodding slightly toward Dani.

It’s a loaded question, and I choose my answer carefully. “She’s involved.”

Dani’s head turns sharply toward me, looking like there are many questions of her own that need answering, but she doesn’t get into it with my brother present. She doesn’t know anything about him, and she’s smart for holding back.

Roman notices that too as his gaze flicks between us again, then something clicks into place. The realization settles, and he allows some of his anger to fizzle away.

“You’re in deep.”

I don’t deny it. I’m in far deeper than I ever meant to be, but I can’t take it back now.

Another moment of silence lingers with none of us even moving, then he exhales and runs a hand through his hair. When his gaze reaches me again, he holds mine deliberately. “This isn’t over, but I’ll give you your time. For now.”

The concession is temporary and conditional, but it’s enough to keep from spilling everything to them both.

“Don’t make me regret that,” he finishes, entirely serious.

“I won’t.”

It’s a lie, or at least, not one I can guarantee. I can’t guarantee either of them anything, regardless of how hard I’m trying.

Roman shifts his focus to Dani briefly, studying her properly this time. It isn’t hostile or accusatory, but it’s enough to make her stiffen under it. He’s curious about where she fits into this, but he won’t ask directly just yet. I have the feeling that it will be coming soon enough.

Something unreadable shifts in his expression before it smooths over again, then he turns and walks out without another word.

The door closes behind him with a soft click, and a crushing kind of silence follows.

As much as I want to get ahead and do as much damage control as physically possible, I don’t move for a second, and I don’t speak.

There’s no going back now, and I can feel it in the air around us.

There’s no room for half-truths or a carefully controlled narrative anymore, and while it’s tempting to try to skirt around the truth, we’re both stuck here. I can’t keep leaving her in the dark and expect her to trust me.

Dani’s still standing where she was, but she looks different. Rather than just being confused or hurt, there’s something more guarded in her eyes.

“You lied to me.”

Her voice cuts through the silence with more control than I’m used to hearing from her, and somehow, it’s worse than yelling.

As I open my mouth, she snaps. “Don’t you dare give me excuses.”

I close my mouth and try to think of how to start.

“I want the truth,” she continues with a shaky voice despite the conviction behind it. “All of it…no more half-answers, and no more ‘you don’t need to know’. I’m done with that.”

Really studying her now, I catch everything beneath the anger.

Dani is scared, and understandably so, but she’s pushing through it anyway. She’s standing her ground, whereas most people in her position would shut down and retreat. She’s doing the opposite and demanding control where she can get it.

I exhale slowly and gather my thoughts, then I nod. “Alright.”

Her brows draw together slightly, obviously not expecting me to even attempt honesty with her.

“My name isn’t Liam. As you heard, it’s Nikolai.”