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“This is about your new ‘husband,’ isn’t it?” he says, adding finger quotes around the word.
“You were my ‘husband,’” I say, adding the same finger quotes. “Misha is my actual husband. I’m fully, legally married this time.”
“Baby, that’s why I’m here. I heard you were married to him and—”
“You thought I could lend you some cash?” I interrupt.
“No, of course not!”
“Then what the hell do you want, Anthony?”
“I want you to come away with me,” he whispers huskily, as though we’re two teenagers in a romantic drama. “I want to take you away from here.”
“So you’re insane. Great.”
This time, when he lunges for my hand, I don’t pull back in time. His grip on me is firm, and I can’t wriggle free. His breath is sticky and sour in my face. “He’s dangerous, Paige. You have no idea who you’ve gotten yourself involved with.”
“I know him better than you.”
“No, you don’t. He’s the don of a freaking Bratva. He’s murdered countless men. He’s responsible for the—”
“Stop it,” I growl. “Stop it, Anthony. I know who I married, and I’m staying married to him.”
It’s not like those things don’t bother me, but I was aware of who Misha was from the beginning. I’m not going to pretend like he’s some saint now. He’s done what matters: kept me safe. So regardless of what else he’s done, I’m loyal to him.
“Fuck,” Anthony mumbles, his hand tightening around mine as his eyes go as wide as saucers. “Are you in love with him?”
He asks the question incredulously, as though the notion of me loving another man is completely shocking to him. And right now, I’m pissed off enough that I don’t mind admitting it.
So long as Misha’s not in the room.
“So what if I am?”
“We were together eight fuckin’ years, Paige! We built a business and a life together. And in a matter of months, you’re married to another guy? What’s wrong with you?” I shake again, but he’s still refusing to drop my hand. “I thought you married him because you didn’t have another option. Because you had no home and no money. That’s why I came back—to give you another choice.”
“Well, aren’t you a knight in shining fucking armor?” I spit. “Give me back my hand.”
His eyes flare with surprise again, but he tempers his response. “I know you’re mad, baby. I get it—”
“You get nothing. You have to leave. Now.”
“But I can’t just leave you here with this man. Like I said, you’re not safe with him.”
“I’m pregnant!” I blurt, wanting nothing more than to shatter this moment and make Anthony disappear.
“You’re… you’re…” He looks torn between doubt and wonder. “B-but the doctor said you couldn’t get pregnant.”
“He was wrong.”
“Fuck.” His eyes narrow. “Is it mine?”
“Jesus Christ. Of course not! They’re Misha’s.”
His eyes bug out even further. “They?”
“We’re having twins,” I say, not sure why I’m telling him that part. The less he knows about my life with Misha, the better. “And if my husband finds you in here, I’m gonna have a hard time convincing him not to kill you.”
“I don’t give a shit even if he does. I just want you to be safe, Paige. Come with me. I’ll take care of you and the babies.”
