Page 105 of Beautiful Agony

"No." Lacey's voice is firm. "I won't ask them to face their abusers. Not when those wounds are still so fresh."

Her words sound familiar, and it takes me a moment before I realize that they're practically the same as mine to Demyon all those months ago.

He'd suggested using Irina as the fake bride in Paris, arguing that she knew the most about fashion and would be the most convincing.

I'd refused his suggestion for the exact same reason Lacey is refusing mine now.

We're both trying to protect others while willingly putting ourselves in danger. I know that the same determination I felt when I insisted on using someone—anyone—other than Irina is also there in her heart.

"You're doing exactly what I did," I murmur, brushing my thumb across her cheek. "Protecting others at your own risk."

"Just like you would." She leans into my touch. "Just like youdid."

I close my eyes, remembering Irina's bright smile, her endless enthusiasm. How even after everything Kirsan did to her, she still wanted to help others escape that fate.

But I also remember how her body crumpled in death. The inconsolable scream of anguish from Lacey when Irina's body entered the fires of the crematorium upon our return to Seattle.

If Lacey met that same fate, I will never forgive myself.

"We can find another way," I say softly.

"No." Lacey's hand covers mine. "We can't. This is the best way, and you know it."

"You're right," I concede, even as my heart rebels against the words. "But we'll need extensive security measures. Nothing left to chance."

"Of course." Lacey squeezes my hands. "And this is as good of a time as any to have Megan's bring Svoboda's true purpose to light. Couple the fear you'll strike into the hearts of the monster with the hope that Svoboda will bring."

"And the industry won't be able to look away," I finish her thought. My mind races through the possibilities.

"Exactly." Lacey steps closer, her belly pressing against me. "Megan can release everything—the interviews, the evidence, all of it—right as the operation concludes. The industry will have to address what's happening in their shadows."

"It's perfect." I pull her closer, breathing in her citrus-lavender scent. My hand splays protectively over our daughter.

"Let's go talk to Megan now." Lacey looks up at me. "She's been sitting on this release for weeks."

I nod slowly, though my protective instincts still scream against putting Lacey anywhere near Kirsan.

"Zvyozdochka," I say. "Promise me one thing?"

"What?"

"If at any point I say it's too dangerous for you to do this, promise me that you'll listen and back out. I don't want to lose you."

Lacey looks at me, her eyes swimming with emotion. Slowly, she nods, and I feel tension slowly uncoiling in my shoulders. Not completely gone, of course. But enough to feel like I can breathe again.

"Okay," she whispers, pressing a kiss to my jaw. "Now come on, let's go talk to Megan."

I let her lead me from the office, my mind already planning additional security measures. I'll need to coordinate with Demyon, arrange for more men. Nothing can go wrong.

Not with both my wife and daughter's lives at stake.

"Areyou both out of your fucking minds?" Megan springs up from her chair the moment we stop talking. "She'spregnant!"

"Megan—" Lacey starts, but Megan cuts her off.

"No. Abso-fucking-lutely not." Her eyes lock onto mine, blazing with fury. "How dare you even consider putting my sister in danger like this? Haven't you done enough?"

"This wasn't his idea, Meg!" Lacey interjects. "It was mine."

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