“And you have always had a problem with obsession.” The air between us hardened instantly. I respected Kliment with everything I had, but it didn’t mean I would sit in front of him and tolerate disrespect. If he had the guts to say harsh things, he should also have the guts to listen to them.
“You’re being naïve if you believe this is going to work, Fyodor.”
“I’m being realistic.”
He laughed again, short and cutting.
“Please don’t act all high and mighty and try to shape this as a noble sacrifice. You think I don’t know what is going on here? You only married her because you wanted her, not because of anything else. It was never about Ilana or strategy for you, but only about your own desire. So, for once, do not insult me by pretending this was purely strategic and you have only been thinking about what’s good for this family.
“It wasn’t. You are right.”
“Ah.”
There it was. The opening he had been waiting for.
“So you are agreeing that you let your desire dictate policy.”
“I adjusted policy around reality.”
“No, Fyodor. You compromised the family and everything we stand for by marrying this girl.”
“I secured it.”
“You compromised yourself.”
“That is my decision.”
“You do not make decisions that affect us alone.”
“I just did.”
The tension in his breathing sharpened, and I could see anger replacing it. He was mad at me, and a part of me was glad we were doing this over the phone rather than in person. It had never been easy for me to handle Kliment’s anger, but right now, it felt as if I no longer had a choice.
“You forget who built this,” he said.
“I remember exactly who built this. I know you see her as a weakness,” I said quietly. “But I see her as leverage they cannot control.”
“She will never be loyal to us.”
“She doesn’t have to be.”
“She hates you.”
“I can live with that.”
“You think hatred makes for stability?”
“No,” I said. “But marriage creates visibility.”
“You are gambling.”
“Yes.”
“With what?”
“Myself.”
A long pause.
