Page 22 of Lord of Justice

Chapter Ten

In which Andrey tackles his most cunning opponents. His parents.

Andrey…

Before they left, Dmitri seemed mildly puzzled that I didn’t want to trot Iris out like a show pony for a big family dinner tonight. "It would make it clear that the Morozov Bratva is united behind you."

Nik rubbed his hand over his jaw, trying to hide a spiteful grin. "My brother should be bright enough to know there's no reason to stick around here. There's not going to be a wedding night after this debacle. If he's lucky, maybe Iris will be in a forgiving mood in fifteen, twenty years." He chuckles, suddenly pleased with the whole idea. "Our Supreme Court Justice is about to enter a very dry period."

They leave, laughing. Assholes.

***

My brother, though, is correct. No Morozov would ever take a woman against her will.

I'm a bastard. But not an utterly unconscionable bastard.

While Iris is quietly sobbing in the clawfoot tub in the guest bathroom, I make some calls; a couple of state senators, and then the head of the nominating committee for the State Supreme Court, assuring them all that yes, the news is true. I stick to the script: Iris and I have been dating quietly for several months and we both decided it was time.

"That's almost romantic until I remember what a cold-hearted son of a bitch you are," Marlena says. As head of the nominating committee, she knows she can say anything to me and get away with it. What she doesn't know is that I have a very long memory, and a propensity for grudges.

"I may not show affection like other people," I say with a certain dignity. "That doesn't mean I don't feel it." The silence smells of chagrin before she bounces back.

"The optics of this are difficult," she says stiffly. "This is very unlike the Andrey Morozov the legal world knows."

This makes me want to laugh out loud. I don't, of course.

"No one knows me. They know what I show them. Now, remember: the connection betweenIris and me felt inevitable," I lie seamlessly. "I'm sure you can make it work."

The longest Facetime is with my parents. Mother's angry, Father is resigned.

"What is it with my sons instantly marrying women without bothering to tell us?" she rages. "Have we really dropped so far down on your totem pole that you didn't think you could even mention it to us?"

Father and I glance at each other. I suspect he knows exactly what happened. He doesn't look particularly disappointed or surprised, but maybe a bit concerned.

"How is Iris doing?" he asks. "This has to be a little overwhelming for her."

"You think?" Mother snaps. "You cannot tell me that you've been harboring asecretlove for this poor girl."

I shrug, which seems to infuriate her even more.

"I have always loved you,” she says, low, and urgent. "But this move is impacting someone else's life too. Iris is a sweetheart. If this is something you are forcing her to do… I couldn't forgive you."

This hits like a punch. Mother has always understood me, she knew I wasn't like my siblings, that I couldn't show emotion. My parents had takenme to a psychiatrist, where phrases like "sociopathic" floated around the room. We went to dinner afterward, and she said, "Whoever you are, we love you."

"Tania…" Father uses his most loving tone with her. "We raised our sons to be honorable and I believe that Andrey will behave that way with Iris." He pulls her toward him, giving her a kiss on the cheek. She growls something I can't catch. "This can't be that much of a shock, sweetheart. It's not likeourgeneration was any smoother with marriages. I do recall the two of us getting married in the narthex at the Smolny Cathedral because the Cardinal was too scandalized to marry us in the sanctuary?"

She flushes. "Well, that's different."

"How?" I ask, immediately regretting the question when she glares at me again.

"Give us an analysis," Father says. He's leaning forward, taking her hand.

"Analysis?"

"You're the master of this," he smiles. "Remember the very thorough rundown you gave us on Caroline when she and Nikandr got together? You must have done something similar for Iris to determine if she'd be a good candidate."

This intrigues Mother and she leans forward,too. "Yeah, I want to hear this."