Page 81 of Lord of Justice

"We're married," I snap. "She's not going anywhere."

"Don't you get it?" he says. "You might as well just stab her in the chest. Do you know what a betrayal this is?"

Why does that send a stab of panic throughmychest?

"But she's happy," I say, trying to understand the point here. "Why does it matter?"

"Because you threatened her entire future and forced her to marry you! Because you lied to all of us about what happened. Dmitri would lose his fucking shit if he knew you lied to him! On your list of serious fuckups, you can add on lying to thePakhan,"he emphasizes.

"It wasn't a lie. It was a misdirection." I say stubbornly. "All of those thingswerelisted on the warrant. I just didn't say that I'd added them."

"I don't think that Iris is going to be back for a while," he sighs. "You should come over for dinner. I know you respect Caroline's opinion."

"Maybe." I rub my forehead. I wish I'd found some ibuprofen like he had.

"I am going to warn you right now," he says. "Caroline is going to tear you a new asshole.Because there has to be a way to show you that this is some seriously fucked-up shit."

"Well, now I certainly want to come over for dinner,” I say wryly.

"Just come. Come now. But do you know the best thing about this?"

"Is there a good thing about this?" I ask.

"Yes," he says happily. "You, my brother, calledmefor advice. You called me to tell me something terrible had happened, and you were willing to share it with me. Thank you."

"You'rethankingme for this?" I ask.

"Yes. Because I'm still your brother, and we are supposed to come to each other in times like these. I'll see you in a half an hour or so, don't be late. Caroline's making lobster bouillabaisse and a French tart for dessert."

"You people and your desserts." I rub my eyes. "I think it would be wise if I looked for Iris right now."

"Get in touch with Melina. Make sure that Iris is safe. Tell her to have Iris contact you when she's ready to talk."

Slumping back in my chair, I blow out a deep sigh. "Yes, that would be good."

Chapter Thirty-Nine

In which we learn the dour Russian truth: when things are horrible, they’re about to get worse.

Iris…

Melina does not do "comforting." However, she does know where to go when I need it.

We pull up in front of Rose's - not mine anymore - apartment building. She's waiting in the lobby, bursting through the doors when Av stops, her bodyguard Leonid close behind.

"Hey, sweetie." She climbs into the back seat with me. "You look like you just got hit in the face with a shovel."

"Good. Flattering." Embarrassingly, my tears start up again.

"Would you like us to drive around for a bit?" Melina inquires. When I gratefully nod, she puts up the glass divider and leaves us alone.

"You know the charges Andrey got dismissed?" Ikeep smoothing my hands over my sundress.

"Yeah, attempted murder?" She shakes her head angrily. "What sick fuck tried to frame you withthat?I can't even get you to smash a spider instead of taking it outside."

"Andrey is that sick fuck." I look at the window. I don't want to see her face right now.

"Wha- I don't-Andreydid that to you?" Rose nearly screams it and I flinch. "Why?" she demands, taking my hand. "Why would hedothat to you?"