Page 47 of Emerald Malice

He clears his throat uncomfortably and changes the subject. “She agreed to stay in the pool house?”

“I didn’t give her much choice.”

“I’m sure she loved that. Do you have a plan?”

I spent most of last night ruminating on precisely that. I went around in circles until I fell into a distracted sleep. When I woke this morning, though, I was no closer to figuring anything out.

“Not yet.”

Shura jaw twitches, a telltale sign that he wants to say something but he’s not sure if he should.

“Go on. Spit it out before you choke on it.”

“Marrying her would make quite the statement.”

The exact same thought passed through my head last night. “It would also make my child legitimate.” I lean against one of the huge marble plinths that ring the garden. “But I’m not a fan of the timing. Nikolai’s still a real threat and he seems to be getting bolder?—”

“A mark of desperation.”

“Perhaps,” I concede. “But it just means he has nothing to lose.” My gaze veers to the pool house. “That’s no longer the case for me. Touting around a pregnant bride would only goad him.”

“A marriage would help you shore up some power, though,” Shura points out.

“Not if I married Natalia. The little lastochka will make a pretty bride, not a powerful one.”

“I wasn’t necessarily suggesting Natalia. Unless of course…” He clears his throat again. “… you want to marry Natalia.”

I wave away the whole messy subject, as if my heart isn’t in my throat at the mere suggestion. “It’s immaterial. Political motives or not, I have no interest in marriage right now. I have only two priorities: stabilizing the Kuznetsov expansion—which includes getting rid of Nikolai—and making sure my child arrives safely.”

A window opens in the pool house. I catch a glimpse of Natalia as she opens the blinds.

“Which means keeping an eye on his mother,” I add in a weary murmur.

“Extra security?”

“When she leaves the manor, definitely. I want a four-man team put together. Their sole responsibility is going to be all things Natalia Boone.”

Shura nods. “I’m on it.”

“But ask the boys to be subtle. We’ll get pushback if she feels stifled.”

“I have a suggestion,” Shura proposes, glancing towards the pool house. “What if we got her a guard dog? It would serve a dual purpose.”

Sunlight streams through the tree branches. I have to squint to get a clear view of the pool house, but Natalia has disappeared from the open window.

“‘Dual purpose’?”

“Well… I think it might help her to have a companion,” he admits. “I just got the feeling last night that her life is… lonely. Empty. Babies grow best when their mothers are happy.”

It’s sentimental advice coming from Shura. Perhaps that’s why he’s having trouble meeting my eye.

“Thank you, brother,” I clap him on the back. “I’ll think on it.”

He retreats into the house, but I stay on the patio, facing the pool house. A guard dog isn’t a bad idea—especially since we already have a half-rabid stray trapped in one of the guest rooms downstairs. I glance over my shoulder, towards the east wing where Misha is being held.

Perhaps, if I gave the boy some trust, he’d offer me some of his in return. Although, exposing him to Natalia feels like a big risk.

I table the decision for another time. For now, I’m content that she’s under my roof.

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