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I just need to pay the devil my soul.
“I understand,” I reply with a graceful nod. If Paige also understands, she doesn’t let on.
“Khorosho,” he pats my shoulder as he stands. He reaches his hand toward Paige’s. Bowing low over hers, he wishes her a good evening and then leaves for his table.
“Does he mean what I think he means?” she asks as soon as he is out of earshot.
I nod.
Paige places the menu down. “I would like to go home now.”
“We cannot leave.” My tone is cold. “To leave now shows weakness. I need his backing. And if you want peace in our future, I suggest we at least have an appetizer.”
“Fine.” Paige picks up the menu again, but the light that had been in her eyes is no longer there. “Chocolate cake, and then we go home.”
Chapter 12
Paige
When Andrei tells me his latest plan, I lose my breath.
“No.” I shake my head. “She’s achild!She’s too young to get married.”
“It’s the best way to keep Emma safe,” he explains, sitting behind his desk while I stand in front of it like I’m one of his men.
“Then there are other ways?” I ask, staring hard into his eyes.
Andrei straightens up and glares. “This is the best way to do it.”
“For you or her?” I ask, not backing down. “You have no right to use my sister as a bargaining chip.”
“It’s not for me alone, Paige,” he explains. “It’s for all of us. We are all at risk. You have to stay at the estate. It’s too dangerous for either of you to leave alone.”
I hold my body tight. “So you say, Andrei.”
I refuse to look at him when I leave the room. I search through my handbag on the console for my car keys. I want to go back in there and chuck them at his head. But common sense stops me until I calm the fuck down.
I swallow my pride. I’ll need my car, and I slip my keys back into my purse.
I told Emma to play nice, which means I also have to play nice.
I walk back into the office and run my hands along Andrei’s tense shoulders. I lean in and smell the cologne on his skin. He reaches up and takes my hand, and I feel his strength. It’s more than sex appeal. I feel safe with Andrei as long as he wants me.
There’s no time to waste energy on regrets. I have to focus on the future. I have to expect there will be one.
“War is coming.” He gently pulls me onto his lap. “And there are enough who choose to back Sonya.”
“And if she were dead, this wouldn’t be happening?” I ask, knowing the answer all too well.
His hand stops moving across my hip. “Yes.”
“Andrei …”
His eyes are hard, and suddenly I feel trapped in his arms. “I don’t like it any more than you do,” he says. “But her bond with Talia is a betrayal. Plain and simple.”
“She’s your sister, Andrei,” I beg him. “Eva’s blood flows in her veins too. You owe your mother this much to spare Sonya’s life.”
“I know …” he looks away.
