Page 86 of Dirty Grovel

Her eyes are frigid ice. “Your sister was a kind soul.”

“You say that like it’s a bad thing.”

She rips away from me to stare out over the hazy horizon visible through the French doors. “Oriana was… messy. She didn’t always understand how things worked.”

“She didn’t like your archaic fucking rules, you mean.”

Oksana picks up her coffee mug and hides behind it for a moment. “I used to think you were different,” she murmurs, her voice barely above a whisper. “I used to think you understood what was expected of us. Of you. But I can see now that you like things to be just as… messy.”

I sigh. “Get to the point, Maman.”

“Why her?” she asks. “Out of all the fish in the sea, why her?”

“You disapprove of her because she’s—in your words—‘messy’? Am I right?”

“To put it mildly.”

I snort. “Well, I have news for you, Maman.Childrenare messy. It makes sense to choose a woman who understands what that means.”

“Children…? Why on earth—?” She stops short, her eyes going wide as the realization sinks in. “What are you saying? Do you mean…? Is Sutton pregnant?”

“Yes, she is,” I answer without batting an eyelid. “And before you ask, I had a paternity test done weeks ago. I’m the father. A new contract has been drawn up, the i’s have been dotted, and the t’s have been crossed.”

Oksana’s complexion pales. “And… what is the plan?”

I tilt my head to the side. “Is that a trick question?”

She leans forward, abandoning her coffee. I can smell the thick scent of it on her breath. “You told me, mere weeks ago, to find you a bride. That is the reason I’m here?—”

“I apologize for the unnecessary trip. And for the weeks you have wasted trying to select a bride for me. But I no longer need your services.”

Oksana nods. “You plan on marrying Sutton then? Does she know this?”

I shrug. “She will soon enough.”

My mother’s eyes turn towards the glittering, diamond-encrusted waters we can see in the gaps between swaying palm trees and bobbing yachts.

It’s hard to read her expression. I have no idea what to make of her tightened mouth and pinched eyes.

“I know you hate her, but she is now the mother of your grandchild and your future daughter-in-law. For the sake of the family?—”

“‘Hate’ is a strong word,” Oksana interrupts, her gaze veering back to me. “I can’t say I’ve ever hated anyone in my life. No one has been important enough.” She takes a deep breath. “I suppose that’s the end of it then.”

“Maybe for you. For me, this is just the beginning. Sutton is not like any of the women you would have picked for me. And frankly, I consider that a good thing.”

“She is an unconventional choice.”

“Precisely her appeal.”

Oksana nods. “You want me to make nice with her.”

“Only if you expect to have a relationship with your grandchild,” I say icily. “Alienating the child’s mother is a bad way to do that.”

“I have just one question.” She sighs and waits for me to signal for her to continue. “You were sure not so long ago that she was working with your enemies to take you down. What makes you so sure now that she’s innocent?”

I take my time answering. When I do, my words come slow at first. “I’ve spent my life surrounded by schemers and liars. People grasping for power or influence or money. I judgeeveryone I meet by those standards. Meeting and getting to know Sutton has shown me that there are different kinds of people out there. Ones whose ambitions are no greater than being happy and safe.”

Oksana’s eyes bore into mine. “She seems to have a way of getting through to you when no one else can.”

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