Page 11 of Claimed By River

“He wants revenge,” I say.

Royal gives me a grim nod. “He wants control.”

I stare at Damir’s picture again, something dark settling in my chest. Men like him are the reason I quit the police force. I’d spent years watching monsters with expensive lawyers escape justice while victims were told there wasn’t enough evidence.

Opening 4R Ink gave us another way to fight back, but this feels different. Because this isn’t some anonymous victim. It’s Nadia.

The woman whose sarcastic mouth somehow manages to annoy and amuse me in equal measure. The woman who makes me feel like something in me is still running. The woman I want to protect even if it means burning everything else down.

No. I’m not letting that bastard take her.

“How do we stop him?” I ask.

Royal folds his hands together. “There are only two real problems.”

“Damir and Ivan.”

“Exactly.”

I rub my beard thoughtfully. “Damir’s her father.”

Roman looks at me. “I know what you’re thinking.”

“No, we don’t kill him.” I shake my head before anyone gets the wrong idea. “Not unless we absolutely have to. Nadia deserves the chance to decide what happens where her father is concerned.”

Raiden nods in agreement.

“But Ivan?” Roman asks.

Royal slowly smiles. “Ivan’s got a birthday and a bank account. That’s a lever.”

I frown. Then, the pieces begin falling into place one after another. Suddenly, the solution is so obvious I’m almost irritated none of us saw it sooner. I straighten.

“I’ve got an idea.”

Three pairs of eyes immediately settle on me. Royal studies my face for a moment before realization slowly dawns across his own.

Roman groans. “I’m either going to love this or hate it.”

“I’ll marry her.”

Absolute silence. Roman blinks several times. “Come again?”

“I’ll marry Nadia.”

Raiden’s eyebrows climb nearly to his hairline. “You’ve lost your damn mind.”

“Probably.”

Royal, however, doesn’t argue. Instead, he quietly asks, “Temporary?”

I nod. “If she’s legally married before Ivan’s deadline expires, Ivan has no reason to keep chasing her. He’ll find another woman, collect his inheritance, and move on.”

“And Damir?” Raiden asks.

“We buy ourselves time to deal with him.”

Roman scratches the back of his neck. “And when she says no?”