Page 77 of The Enemy's Defector
“So only you, my father, and your father knew?”
“Yes. My father specifically told me not to tell Anton, too. He never knew. My father took that secret to the grave, and your father admitted that the memory came back to him.”
“You kept this a secret from me,” he accused lightly. “How could you have never told me?”
“Because it was so long ago. Because it wouldn’t have changed anything. You were found and saved. Grigory clearly dealt with Beatrice. And that was the end of it. I didn’t hear anything about who could’ve set it up, just where you were.”
“But if Maxim and the others knew…”
“They might not be so quick to assume I’m an enemy, huh?” I smiled slyly. “That’s been on my mind, but I doubted thatanyone would believe me now. With Grigory saying it, though, maybe that will make the case stronger.”
“It’s bullshit that anyone would doubt your willingness to help us in the first place,” he said wryly. “After all you’ve done…”
“And I’d do more. Whatever it takes to be a real part of this family, Nik. I know the way I handled that marriage arrangement cast suspicion around me, but…” I shrugged. I wouldn’t take back the decision I’d made.
“I know, Katerina. I know.” He kissed my brow. “But soon, there won’t be a reason for anyone to worry about you reporting to Anton as a spy.”
“How come?” Hope burned brighter at the first thought that came to my mind.
“Because he’ll be dead.” He furrowed his brow. “Without your contribution,” he warned.
I had to sigh at that disappointment. It only felt right to be able to kill him myself after all he’d done to destroy my life and try to sabotage my future.
“We’ve been discussing how to take him out, to end them all.”
I nodded, numb to the fact that he was describing killing the people I’d once shared a name with.
“I’m not telling you that you can’t be a part of this operation because I want to control you,” he said gently yet seriously, “but because I can’t live with you and our child being that close to physical danger. If you can live with my killing him for you?—”
“No.” I put my hand on his cheek again. “I understand. And that’s just one more way I know you really do love me and know who I am. I want to be there to see that deed done, but I respect that you want me safe.” I kissed him. “I realize I can’t help.”
“Not like that. I won’t lie and give you false hope that you can be the one to kill him, but I wouldn’t turn down your offer to help in any other way.”
I brightened. “Really? How?”
He chuckled, getting out of bed with me. “You could hack into the surveillance and help us get a better look at what Anton’s doing.”
I scoffed, starting to get dressed with him. “I could try, but it won’t work. I’ve been trying to hop onto all the Kozlov databases and camera systems for a few days now and it’s not happening. He’s either wizened up to someone hacking in or the Romanos tipped him off to be more careful. I can’t get into much—not in Kozlov or Romano programs. But I’ll set up what I can for your crew to watch.”
That was exactly what we did. It wasn’t possible for me to fight back against my uncle directly, but I would do whatever I could to equip the Ivanov force with as much intel as they could use. I’d support them however they wanted, despite the limitations of firewalls and new blocks that kept me out.
It only took an hour in the security room to show the Ivanov crew what to do and how to use my shortcuts. Even though nothing seemed to be changing or offering any access, I felt good about doingsomething.
Around lunchtime, Nik pulled me aside to kiss me.
“I love you,” he whispered in my ear.
“I love you too,” I replied happily. I would never tire of that phrase. It was a dream coming true.
No, not a dream yet. So long as Anton lives, a nightmare is lurking too damn close for comfort.
“I need to go with Damon for a while and handle something.”
I nodded. “And I need to start on the nursery planning with Joann and Lucy.”
He smiled, glad that I was making progress to fit in. I couldn’t be sure I would fit in, but I would take steps and try my best.
After we parted, I headed toward the main floor where Lucy and Sloane seemed to be waiting for me. Joann came a moment later, grinning and so excited that it was infectious.
