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“But what if they think I’m not good enough or rich enough and there’s also the fact I’m not Russian?”
“Neither is my mom.”
“I suppose.”
She appears so agitated, I say roughly, “Toughen up, Lilli. You are with me now and we don’t show weakness. Not to anyone. You will walk into my family home and stare them straight in the eye and know that you have every right to be there.”
She nods, but I can tell she doesn’t agree, and I say abruptly. “My family are like me. They don’t tolerate weakness. Stand tall and proud knowing that you have done the impossible.”
“What?”
She is confused and I grin. “You are the first woman I have ever brought home, or even dated twice. They will be in awe of you as much as I am. They will recognize your power or consider you’re not of sound mind. Possibly both.”
She shakes her head. “I’m glad you find my obvious concern funny, Mikhail. You’re no help to me at all.”
“You don’t need my help. You can handle them all on your own.”
She sighs and leans back, glancing out of the window at the passing scenery and after a while, says with surprise. “Why isn’t it snowing? Surely it always snows in Russia.”
“Because it’s summer and even Russia has its fair share of sunshine.”
“I suppose.” She points to one of the impressive houses we pass.
“That one looks as if it belongs in the Hamptons. I thought Russia hated the West.”
“Lilli.” I audibly sigh. “Russia does not hate the West. Russia is an economy and it has it good points and bad points, much the same as any other country. You are fearful because you accept what is written in your press. We are human beings, the same as you and not aliens from another planet.”
“I’m sorry.” She slips her hand into mine.
“If your family is anything like you, Mikhail, I will love them too.”
“I wouldn’t go that far.”
It makes me laugh, and she says with interest. “Tell me about your mom.”
My heart softens when I think of her, and I smile. “She is American. She met my father, and he fell in love and brought her here. They had a happy marriage, but since I learned of his involvement with Burning Roses, I’m beginning to question his loyalty.”
“Do you think your mom knew?”
I raise my eyes. “It happens, so I’ve heard. Some women give their husbands a hall pass as long as it’s strictly business. Would you?”
She raises her eyes and says fiercely, “Fuck, no. If I learned, you’d be seeing anyone else, I’d blow your fucking balls off.”
“Ah yes.” I laugh out loud. “The fierce assassin who is so capable of doing that.”
“How do you know? You stopped me before I could try?”
She glares at me, and I hate that our conversation has turned her mind back to the reason we met in the first place.
“I hate him.” She says sadly, and I nod.
“About that.”
“What?” Her eyes widen as I grin.
“I discovered that Carter Lamont is up on charges for fraud.”
“You did. When?” She stares at me in shock, and I wink. “Since I leaked the news to the press, and they ran an investigation on him. It doesn’t look good for him or his business because his share price plummeted and, coupled with the fact Governor Walton pulled the plug on his energy plant, he is now the chairman of a sinking ship.”
