Page 46 of The Russian's Stalked Bride
“God forbid I let her breathe for one afternoon.”
“One afternoon cost us, which is why the damages are coming out of your cut,” he says firmly, leaving no room for argument. “You made this mess, and now the Grimaldis are testing us. Testing you.”
“Again, I’m aware,” I mumble, feeling that familiar irritation bubbles up inside me once more. It happens easily where Mila is concerned.
“That leaves us with one question,” Roman begins, shoulders squared as he stands a bit straighter, not letting his focus waver from me. “…What do you plan on doing about it? Obviously, you didn’t listen to me the last time we discussed this.”
They all look at me again, and I play it cool as I cross my arms. “I’m handling it.”
“How?” Mikhail asks, looking far too aware of the fact that I’m still riding on borrowed time.
When I don’t answer, Roman’s jaw tightens, and his words come out rougher. “You don’t get to be quiet about this now. Tell us all about your master plan.”
Tension courses through me as I stand my ground, trying harder than anything to not give myself up or to show weakness here. That’s exactly what my brothers are trying to sniff out.
“I don’t have my final move yet, but as long as Mila is with me, the Grimaldis don’t have anything.”
“Don’t they?” Roman returns. “Even without their sister, they attacked. You’re lucky it wasn’t as devastating as it could’ve been, especially with Maksim and the Balakins in the wings.” He studies me, and after a beat, he utters, “You’re stalling.”
“I’m thinking, not stalling,” I retort, finding it harder not to lash out like I want to.
He scoffs. “Since when do you think this long?”
Since I met Mila, but I don’t say it out loud.
“You can’t keep her in this limbo without making a move,” Mikhail says while sitting casually in his place, arm draped over the back of the couch. “Your three options are marriage, exchange, or relocation. Pick one.”
My stomach tightens as my mind flits over each one of those suggestions, and each one carries a different kind of weight. It doesn’t help that they’re talking about it so simply, as if she weren’t a person. As if she has no significance.
“I’m not forcing her to marry me,” I tell them, glancing between my brothers.
“Then remove her from the board like you said you would. Send her somewhere safe,” Roman presses, certainly stuck in his decision.
As much as forcing marriage between us stings, the thought of sending her away feels more like a bullet wound. There’s no goddamn way.
“No,” I say before I can stop myself, rippling with irritation.
They stare at me for a moment, then Mikhail sighs. “Your judgement is compromised, Ivan.”
I chuckle, but there’s nothing humorous about it. “No kidding. That’s exactly why I won’t do it.”
Roman steps closer, tone low and full of warning. “This will end one way or another. Decide which side you’re on before it’s decided for you.”
With no solution, Roman pushes past me, leaving the office without another word. The other two follow at their leisure, giving me looks that tell me everything I need to know.
Nikolai sighs and claps a hand on my shoulder.
“Good luck.”
Chapter 16 - Mila
When Ivan leaves the condo, the whole place seems to exhale. Or, at least, I do.
I sit there for a while after he’s gone with the music books in my lap, long ignored, and I stare out the windows in thought. Somehow, I feel both relieved and irritated at the same time.
It’s strange how quickly I’ve grown accustomed to his presence, and how everything feels a bit out of place when he’s gone.
And after the way he left, giving me nothing to work with, I know that’s exactly why I shouldn’t allow myself to get comfortable.
