Page 63 of Avenging Azalea

“So, what do you want to talk about,” Nathaniel asked as we walked down the hall.

“I saw Goran and the movers this morning,” I said.

“No point in dragging it out. I won’t step one foot inside that house again unless it’s for Mother. Have you changed your mind about joining me?”

“No, but I need to offload a few things first. What are you thinking of using for new offices? Father owns the building, and there is no way he’s going to let us use the space.”

“Already handled.”

I laughed. “Of course, only you could have a wife in the hospital with a gunshot wound and still manage to arrange movers and a new office space like a boss.”

Nathaniel laughed as we stepped outside into the late morning sun.

“I cheated. The building was already purchased and being renovated. It was a rental investment, but now it will be our new headquarters. I’ll have the partnership paperwork emailed to you tomorrow.”

“Are you sure you want me involved?”

“Why? Can’t I trust you,” he asked, crossing his arms.

“Of course you can. I just want to make sure that this is what you really want. We both know you don’t need me as a partner. I’m good at what I do, but I was never going to run Mikhailov Enterprises.”

“Yes, it’s what I want. The fact that you’re not going to stab me in the back to take over is actually very appealing,” Nathaniel teased, nudging my arm with his fist. “What else is bugging you? I can see it in your eyes.”

I looked away and put on my sunglasses. “I went to Father this morning to tell him I couldn’t marry Mr. Vilanova’s daughter. He told me something really disturbing.”

“Jesus…do I want to know?”

“No, and I’m sure it’ll only make you want to kill him more.” I nodded toward my SUV. “Come with me. I don’t want anyone overhearing us,” I said, even though the only people nearby were a pair of doctors sitting on a bench.

Nathaniel’s face darkened like he was already picturing wrapping his hands around Father’s neck.

I waited until we were in my idling vehicle before speaking. “Father and Mr. Vilanova were apparently at odds. He wouldn’t say why or what happened, but whatever went down, they ended up in the sights of the Curators.”

Nathaniel’s face paled. “The Curators? Why? What the fuck does he have us involved in?” The fact that Nathaniel seemed as worried as I was didn’t make me feel any better.

“All I know is that a Curator got killed. How they are involved, I have no idea. He wouldn’t tell me. According to him, my marriage to Vera will help smooth things over. Does any of that make sense to you?”

Nathaniel shook his head. “Not at all. I didn’t even know they were in the same circles, let alone how a marriage could make something that large go away.”

“Me either. Anyway, we are all on notice, and…I don’t like waiting for a hammer to drop.”

“For fucks sake. Can this man not stick his fucking foot in every pile of shit? I’ll see what I can find out. Thanks for the heads up.” He turned in the seat and looked at me. “So, you wanted out of the marriage? Not that I blame you. It just seemed like you were willing to marry whoever Dimitri arranged.”

I rubbed at my chin. “I had my reasons for wanting out, but it doesn’t matter now.”

“You sure you don’t want to talk about it?”

Sighing, I looked back at Hailey and Holly and shook my head.

“No, talking isn’t going to change anything, and I made my bed. I can’t go back now.”

“You’re a bigger man than I, Titus. I would’ve told him to go fuck himself and shot him to save the Curators a bullet.”

I laughed, even though I knew he was serious. Right now, it would be great to be more like him.

“I’ll text you the address of the office building,” Nathaniel said, getting out. He stopped, holding the door open as he locked eyes with me. “Thank you.”

“For what?”