“Why wasn’t I informed, dammit?” I sign angrily.
Niko just arches a brow at me, leaving me fuming.
“As for why I’m involving myself in matters that don’t concern me… I’m hoping to curry favor with your husband so he won’t throw a rattle out of his cot when I ask to stick around the state for a while.
“As much as I don’t need your permission, Maxim, it will definitely help if I have it.”
“Who are you looking for?” Victoria asks Ilya, not giving me time to tell Ilya where the fuck he can go with his favor.
“You might know her as I Told You So…”
FORTY-SEVEN
DADDY NIKO APPROVES
“You chose well, Maxim.”
At my extended silence, Niko sighs. “Max, would you not talk to me about Misha if you were worried about him?”
“That’s different.”
“How so? You’ve both always come to me with your troubles. The only unusual part of this whole matter is that you finally married your biggest trouble.”
“I love her. She isn’t a problem to be fixed.”
“I can tell you do.” His gaze softens as he cups my shoulder. “And I’m glad.”
Fighting the urge to shrug off his hold because I stopped being a moody teenager fifteen years ago, I tuck my hands into my pockets and lean against the doorjamb. “Why involve him?”
I stiffen as whatever that asshole says to Victoria has her pealing with laughter.
“He wanted her to know him.”
“Why?”
“Guilt.”
Nikolai’s fingers flick the word at me. I’m honestly surprised he stuck with talking for as long as he did. An honor, even if Victoria doesn’t know it.
“Why?”
“Because he was almost too late…”
Tension fills me at the reminder.
“Her cheek? I noticed the makeup is thicker there.”
“Bordeau backhanded her.”
“The cooler?” Nikolai prods.
“Bordeau’s hands.”
He barks out a gruff laugh. “Never let it be said you don’t have your own way of wooing a woman, Maxim.”
Because that runs too close to what she said earlier, I change the subject. “What does he want with I Told You So?”
“The same as you do with Victoria, I imagine.”
