Page 37 of Lord of Justice

"Yes," I whisper. "But you're… different."

Surprisingly, he doesn't look offended. "You're correct, though Idothink that Roman's unparalleled skill with torture really eclipses anything that's considered disturbing about me. Everything I said to Violet and Roman that night about you, I meant. I will always treat you well, Iwant you to have what makes you happy- in the parameters of our marriage."

I'm chewing my lower lip absently, I didn't realize it until he reaches over, using his thumb to gently pull my lip loose. "Can you trust me, just for today?"

"What choice do I –" I backtrack. He doesn't deserve the bitter remark. Not today. "Yes. I can do that." And then he says it. My kryptonite.

"Good girl."

There's a high keen rattling around my skull and my knees are instantly weak.Damnhim.

He picks up my hand and kisses my wedding ring, then turns it over to kiss my palm. We're close enough that his scent surrounds me, he smells like obscene amounts of money and success, something tangible that hits my senses like a brush fire.

"If you can save a multi-billion-dollar company, you can handle one interview with the most fatuous media personality in North America."

I laugh, just the way I suspect he wanted me to, and wipe my sweaty hands on my dress. It's a Dior, and I'm grateful it's dark blue, the color of Andrey's tie, so my sweat marks can't be seen on this masterpiece. Jessica would stab me for such a terrible sign of weakness.

Blowing out a breath, I say, "Okay. Let's do this."

The timing is perfect, the elevator chimes, Mike McConnell and his crew have been brought by Jessica. Andrey puts his lips to my ear, murmuring, "Do you want a shot of vodka to loosen you up?"

A stifled giggle bursts from my lips and I hastily slap my hand over my mouth. "No!" I whisper, scandalized. "Don't you know anything? They don't get to find out we're destructive alcoholics until at least a couple of yearsafterwe're established as New York's most fabulous couple. I'm not going through all that training again!"

Sliding his arm around my waist, Andrey takes me over to the crew, bristling with lights and cameras. His long fingers trace along the curve of my waist and linger by my hip as he introduces me. I have to clench my teeth, him touching me is a terrible idea. They're just fingers! But they're distracting me with their warmth and the soft pressure he's keeping on my hipbone.

"So, Iris, how did you and Andrey meet?"

It took an hour to set up all the cameras and get the lighting straight. We're sitting together on the couch and Jessica is watching the monitor carefully. She's not letting them get out of here with a substandard video. If Andrey isn't carryinga weapon, I'll bet she is.

Shit. Mike, a generically attractive news anchor in his forties, is looking at me expectantly. What did he ask me again? I cross my legs, leaning my knees to the left and smile demurely. Jessica nods at me.

"I've actually known him for some time," I say, going for clear and confident and not too smarmy. "The Morozov family is very close, and when my sister Violet married Roman, his cousin, my twin sister Rose and I were invited to all the family functions."

I smile up at Andrey - his dark gaze is twinkling just slightly because he knows I amworkingthis - then back at a dazzled Mike. "My sisters and I, it was always just the three of us. To be welcomed into the arms of the Morozov family, the weddings and parties, holiday dinners, and lunches with wonderfully supportive sisters-in-law… Well, it's so much more than I could have expected, certainly more than I could have asked for. When Andrey and I started dating, it felt so natural. Like it had always been meant to happen." I should look at Andrey adoringly again but suddenly, I can't seem to meet his gaze.

"That's beautiful," Mike murmurs, clearly forgetting that his job here is to conduct an incisive interview, one that examines my suitability as a Supreme Court Justice's spouse.

"And for you Andrey-" he cuts himself off. "Ah, Mr. Morozov, what attracted you to Iris? I'm sure you moved in different circles since she'ssomuch younger."

"Yes, she is," Andrey cuts in, smiling urbanely. "And also, a woman who was willing to stand up to me. Iris is not afraid to give me the unvarnished truth, that's something that a Supreme Court Justice needs in his life. A partner who will give an honest reflection of who he is."

"Or she," I add, smiling sweetly. "After all, the bench is evenly divided, male and female. It makes me proud that in New York State, a woman's expertise is taken just as seriously as a man's."

Score one for Iris,I think, gleeful that I could push the feminist perspective and subtly flatter the rest of the justices. Though based on the looks Justice Elana Carrington was giving Andrey at his nomination party, it might just make her hate us even more. Spitefully, the vision of her thwarted fury makes me happy and I focus on the next question with a smile.

"I think everyone finds it interesting that you are both twins, identical, in fact. What are the odds? Do you think you understand each other a little better because of it?"

We're both silent, pondering this. Does Andreyfeel like I do, that on hard days there's nothing I want more than to call Rose? Did he feel a separation when Nikandr got married?

Andrey goes the easy route. "My brother and I are not identical.”

“Could have fooled me,” Mike says in a jolly tone that I’m sure is killing Andrey.

“Iris and I do relate to each other,” Andrey continues, “since we both understand the profound connection between twins. I believe it adds a layer of understanding to our relationship."

Mike smiles, not knowing he's about to stab me in the chest. "Were your twins at the wedding ceremony?"

No.Roseshouldhave been there.