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I know that, like my father, this Popov wants to play a different game, to take what he thinks is his, and me wanting to just give it to him has been not just shot down but bombed out of existence.
I know Queenstown is smaller than New York, but it’s strategic. Owning the biggest piece like Nikolai and I do together changes games. This Russian might own a sweet piece of New York—not my words—but that deal would be sweeter with the properties under my name.
“Do any of you?”
“Not fucking fair, Rose.”
I quirk a brow. “Is anything?”
“There are always secrets. Things owed. Desires and grudges held tight until it’s time.”
I push out a breath and stalk up to him. “And Adelaide knows the answers?”
“I don’t know what the fuck she knows. I assume she does, but she’ll deny everything until I know or she’s gone.”
“She’s got power…” I meet his gaze. “But all this has nothing to do with the wedding. We take her out, take out Popov, and It’s done.”
Nikolai makes a pained face. “Maybe this has to do with my uncle. He made mistakes because he cared too much.”
Is this the crux of everything? “You’re worried you’re just as bad?”
“Rose—”
“Or maybe you don’t want to marry me.” Real anger flickers across his face. “Because,” I go on before he can answer, “if you do, you’ll have to try harder to get rid of me.”
The anger melts, and he laughs. “Fuck, Rose, I don’t lie to you, and I don’t do things I don’t want to do. You and me? I might not think it’s smart, but I want you. Always.”
He straightens and does something unexpected: he opens his arms.
I almost stumble in my rush to get there, and he envelops me as I breathe in his heady scent. The thump of his heart soothes my frayed nerves as he speaks.
“I also shot the postponement down. Apart from anything else, it shows we think something’s up.”
Nodding against his chest, I slip my arms around his waist. “And your girlfriend?”
Okay, I’m being a total bitch.
“I called her to let her know I can’t help. Popov isn’t coming to the wedding. That’s me saying her using me is dead in the water. I was cool, but…”
Oh, I got it now. “But that means she’s onto you?”
“She’d be stupid not to be, and she’s not stupid. Still, she can’t do anything.”
I sniff. “Still don’t trust her.”
“Yeah, good fucking instincts. Rose…” His lips brush the top of my head. “There’s gonna come a time when I’ll have to take her and Popov out, probably back in the states. When that happens, I don’t want you or Rush around.”
I pull free. “I’m not going anywhere.”
“Rose—”
“Niko—”
“Nikolai.” He goes to the door and motions for me to follow. “But that’s in the future. Right now, we’ve got an Italian wedding to plan.”
* * *
Genius and Rush left hours ago, and the wedding sounds wonderful—if I wasn’t marrying a mafia king and I was some dumb virgin.
