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The lipstick tube falls out of my hand, and I stare at him with wide eyes. My breathing starts to accelerate with my heartbeat.
“I should text Alek.”
“Okay. Come downstairs when you’re done. Ivan’s waiting with the car.”
He gives me a long look I can’t decipher. I’m not sure how he feels about me dating Alek, but if this meeting is what I think it’s about, my dad’s opinion will be the least of our worries.
When he shuts the door, I pull out my phone and shoot a quick text.
ME
I think we’re in trouble.
Alek doesn’t reply.
When my dad and I arrive at the President’s Estate, a butler is waiting for us at the front entrance. He leads us through a maze of corridors until we reach a set of massive, imposing doors. The butler knocks.
“Ambassador Baker has arrived.”
“Send them in.”
He pushes the door open, though it appears to take some effort to move the heavy wood. He gestures inside, where a dark study awaits us.
President Kurochkin is sitting at his desk, and his wife stands behind him, prim and polished to perfection. In the background, a fireplace crackles, rimming them in an eerie orange light.
And on the other side of the president is Alek. When I step into the room, his eyes meet mine, and the muscles in his face are clenched.
If Alek is worried, then we’re in deep shit.
“Ambassador, please take a seat.” The president gestures to a set of two leather chairs in front of the desk.
My dad remains calm as he crosses the room, ignoring the tense silence enveloping us. I follow his lead and remain hidden behind him as much as possible.
The Kurochkins’ judgmental eyes rake over my body, and I suddenly regret the red, low-cut dress. The president’s gaze lingers on my chest, which sends a creeping shiver down my spine. I fold my arms to shield myself from view.
My father unbuttons his suit jacket and takes a seat, so I do the same. Grigor doesn’t stand to offer a handshake.
It’s a gutsy power move, but my dad is the first to speak. “Thank you for the invitation, Mr. President. How may my daughter and I be of service to you this evening?”
My daughter and I. Like we’re a team, two allies in this cold war across a desk.
“I won’t waste your time with idle chit-chat,” the president says. “I brought you here to discuss a matter involving our two children.”
Glancing around, I notice there aren’t any refreshments offered to us. My throat is as dry as the Sahara, and I could really go for a glass of water.
“It would seem my son and your daughter are engaging in sexual relations.”
Alek and I share a glance, and his face grows two shades paler.
My dad keeps a cool demeanor, not giving anything away. He’s clearly a skilled negotiator, and he waits, allowing Grigor space to continue.
He folds his hands on the desk. “Perhaps you are unaware of a recent video circulating the internet. Pornography featuring your daughter—”
My father cuts him off. “I am aware. She was a victim of child pornography and revenge porn.”
“The specific circumstances are unimportant,” the president answers. “Given the popularity of the video, you can understand why I cannot have my son, the future president of Andarusia, dating an internet porn star.”
It feels like my guts are about to spill out of my throat, and I clasp a hand over my mouth.
