Page 36 of The Russian's Bought Bride

Roman also knows more than he was ever supposed to, but I figured that with time and some well-performed jobs, they’d forgive me like we usually do for one another and move on. Dani, however, is a different story.

The lines blurred, and I let her see more than anyone in her position should see. Now, there’s no putting that back, and no rewinding to when I was just Liam, and when she’d look at me without that edge of betrayal in her eyes. It’s not like I can play the family card with her either.

Now she knows enough to be a potential problem if things go too far, and I know exactly how Roman would take it. In his mind, she’ll be a liability and a threat to the rest of our work, but I can’t stand the thought of seeing her in that way.

This weird soft spot I have for her is the reason I’m even in this mess, and as hard as I try to ignore it, it refuses to leave.

I exhale slowly, well aware that I can’t delay this or the meeting, and I drag a hand down my face before knocking once on the bedroom door.

Unsurprisingly, she doesn’t answer.

I wait a second, then murmur, “Make yourself decent. I’m coming in.”

Even when she doesn’t say anything, I push it open anyway and glance over to the bed.

Dani’s sitting back against the headboard with a blanket pulled around her like armor, and the worn-out look in her eyes suggests she didn’t sleep for most of the night. Her gaze slides to me for half a second before dropping back to whatever point on the wall she’s been staring at.

Message received.

“I’m heading out for a few hours,” I tell her, hoping to push through the tension I’ve done nothing to soothe.

Nothing. I receive only cold silence and not even the acknowledgment of a nod.

I step further into the room to let her know I’m being serious, all while keeping my distance. “There’s food in the kitchen. Eat something.”

Still nothing.

My jaw tightens slightly, not liking just how far she’s taking this. “Dani.”

“I heard you,” she says flatly, refusing to look at me. Once again, she’s closing herself off to me.

Taking a breath, I force down the irritation that wants to surface. She has every reason to be pissed, and I know that, but that doesn’t make it easier to deal with.

“I know you might not think it, but I meant what I said,” I continue. “About you being safe here.”

Dani makes me wait before she mumbles, “I don’t care what you meant.”

Even if it’s meant to be scathing, I don’t feel any heat from it, and that almost makes it worse.

“I’m not asking you to care. I’m telling you the reality.”

“And I’m telling you I don’t believe you, regardless of how many times you tell me.”

I don’t respond immediately, since there’s nothing I can say that’s going to fix that right now. As much as I want to patch things up and have her trust me through this, I can’t expect that to happen overnight.

“Lock the door if you want,” I say instead. “No one’s coming in here without your say.”

Except me, but I don’t add that part.

Instead of acknowledging it, she just sits there, wrapped in silence and anger that she doesn’t bother to keep hidden from me.

I linger for a second longer than I should for reasons I don’t understand, then I turn and leave. Pushing her right now will only make things worse, and I’ve done enough of that already.

So, I head out, bracing myself for the inevitable shit show waiting for me.

***

The warehouse smells like oil, metal, and something faintly chemical. It’s always familiar and grounding in a way, regardless of what’s ahead of me.