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“I guess it is a good thing he is not seeking my permission.” Milos shakes his head.
Damien laughs. “One look at her and she’s got his balls in those tiny hands of hers.”
“The tiny hands is a good thing, makes that tiny cock of his look bigger to her,” Maxim mutters.
“Fuck you both,” Nikita growls. “My cock is so big I’m waiting until we’re married so I don’t scare her. No way is she getting away. It’s the reason I’m checked in at a hotel. We’ll do the judge today with you idiots and Mother. When the time comes for Gregori, Ivan, and Artem to go back to New York, I will tell them we’re married and staying in Chicago. No muss or fuss of a wedding.”
Damien pushes away from the wall. “Your bride doesn’t want a wedding?”
A shrug. “She’s not one of those women into dresses and all that crap. Doesn’t even have a favorite flower. The woman is the perfect wife. Not interested in kids for a few years so we can sleep naked and late. She’s good with one or two. We’re going to keep it to a civilized number, I think two sounds perfect.”
Nikita is so busy crowing about his perfect wife he misses completely the looks I share with my other brothers. We all agree. I break it to him. “Your woman is lying to you. She’s hiding something, you moron. Marry her and you’ll play right into it.”
“What the hell are you talking about?” Nikita stiffens.
Milos rolls his eyes. “Women are women. They have favorite things like flowers, and even if they don’t dream of a wedding day, they know exactly what something like their wedding dress is going to look like. You’re a fucking idiot if you don’t get that.”
“You paper married your woman.” He nods at me. “You aren’t giving her a wedding. What’s the big deal my woman doesn’t want one? She’s not like all women.”
Everyone but Nikita rolls their eyes, I don’t have to see them to know it. “My woman will get her wedding day. Once she isn’t walking down the aisle with a broken arm, there will be a wedding. That not like other women thing is bullshit. And if she truly isn’t, she’s a unicorn. I don’t buy it and you shouldn’t either. I swear I don’t get how you can be so fucking intelligent in business and such an idiot when it comes to women.”
“Fuck you. I’m not an idiot.”
“Not an idiot. Just thinking with the wrong head.” Maxim sighs.
Nikita’s phone goes off. “They have everything. Are you guys coming or not?”
Damien grasps Nikita by his shoulder. “Of course I’m coming. I’m not letting you do something this stupid without being there to remind you of it later.”
Everyone files out of the room except Milos. Maxim closes the door with a nod.
“How are you doing really?” I ask him.
“She was covered in blood, Aleksander. The blood of a man out to kill me. Celia knew I would trade my life for hers. She wouldn’t let me. I didn’t protect her. I failed her.”
The torture in his voice pierces me. “She is fine now. All in one piece. Celia is a strong woman. I am sorry you are in pain for her, but I am grateful for her keeping you alive.”
His smile holds no humor. “Everyone keeps complimenting me on her strength. All it feels like is a reassurance since I cannot protect her, she can protect herself. She knew I would give up everything for her and wouldn’t let me.”
“Good. She has proven herself as the rightful queen to our king of this kingdom. It cannot be undone. You must let it go. You will cause her pain,” I warn him.
Sighing, he nods. “You’re right. The last damn thing I want to do tonight is act in front of Grigori. I swear the bastard knows how I really feel about her. He’s too fucking intent on touching her. It’s him and Mother and Father all over again.”
I shake my head, remembering the scars on my father’s body from the fight he had with his brother over my mother. Mother already had my father’s ring on her finger when they met, and still Gregori tried to take Mother from him. “Tread carefully. If you spill his blood it could bring the Feds down us. They are going to notice if he disappears.”
His jaw clenches tight.
“Milos, it needs to be handled carefully. Grigori is going down. If we are patient he will without our fingerprints on it,” I remind him.
He nods. “Fine. It would be better if you were there. Maxim takes far too much delight in annoying me this trip. Both him and Damian are bitching about the marriage command. At the very least you could keep him away from me. I just want all of this over. I do not like lying to my woman.”
“I don’t like not being there either. I’ll talk to Maxim.” We do not appear in public in less than perfect health. No sign of weakness is allowed. Ever. While I will be able to take Phoenix out, once I feel better, it’s only because she was hurt before she became my woman. Milos has also put the word out that anyone who dares to glance in Phoenix’s direction with a frown on their face will suffer for it. She is untouchable or death will follow—ally or enemy, it matters not.
“Don’t bother, Maxim deserves the bruise on his chest he’ll leave Chicago with.”
I chuckle. Duly noted, when I hug him goodbye I’ll squeeze him tightly to irritate the bruise.
“Rest. Call me if you need anything.”
