Page 143 of Vendetta Crown

"You don't approve," he says.

"It feels..." I search for the right words, but decide on the simple truth instead. "Rushed."

Ruslan's golden eyes meet mine. He pushes a strand of hair from my face, tucking it behind my ear with surprising gentleness for hands that have killed so many.

"It is," he admits. "But it has to be done now. With Tamara's death, it's proof that Semyon and Kristofer are closer than ever. We don't know if Kristofer has offered his services to the Triads as well. So I need to discredit him even while I kill Semyon."

"And how exactly does pushing up the advanced screening help do that?" I ask.

"The production company is going all out with promotion," he explains. "Every one of them highlighting that I'll be there in person."

"You're using yourself as bait," I say, the realization making my blood run cold.

He nods. "I want Semyon and the Triads to think they can take me out there. It's the perfect trap."

"And where will I be while you're playing matador with your own life?" I ask, already sensing his answer from the way his jaw clenches.

"Here. At home." He says it firmly, like it's already decided. "Where it's safe."

"No." The word comes out sharper than I intended, but I don't soften it. "That's not happening."

Ruslan's brow furrows. "Aurora?—"

"No," I repeat, sitting up fully now, the sheet falling away from my naked body. "This documentary is my story. My family. My trauma. I can't hide from this."

"You're pregnant with our children," he counters, his voice rising slightly. "I can't risk?—"

"And what do you think will happen once Kristofer sees all of the promotions about howyou'llbe at the premier?" I cut him off. "Do you really think that he and Semyon will take the bait?"

"I won't put you in danger."

"You're not putting me anywhere. I'm choosing to do this."

"You're carrying our children."

"And they deserve parents who face their demons together, not a mother who hides while their father fights alone." I press my palm against his chest, feeling his heart hammer beneath my fingers. "We promised each other, Ruslan. We do this together."

His hands find my shoulders, gripping them firmly. "But if something happens to you?—"

"And what if something happens to you while we're apart?" My voice breaks. "I nearly lost you once, I can't bear the thought of it happening again. Could you live with that if our positions were reversed? Would you stay behind?"

"That's different."

"No, it's not." I grab his face between my hands, forcing him to look at me. "Why is your need to protect me more important than mine to stand with you? Why is your love allowed to be reckless but mine must stay locked away?"

His golden eyes darken. "Aurora?—"

"I ran for seven years," I whisper fiercely. "I hid for seven years. I won't do that anymore. And it's all because of you. You can't tell me that after seven years, I'm not allowed to face my own demons. That I have to sit here with my heart in my throat wondering if next week might be the last time I'll ever see you."

"I'm not asking you to hide forever. Just this once?—"

"Just this once will become just one more time. Then another. Then another."

He falls silent, his forehead coming to rest against mine.

"We have to do it together," I continue softly. "I won't let him take you too."

Ruslan's hands slide from my shoulders to cradle my face, his thumbs gently wiping away tears I hadn't realized were falling.

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