Page 113 of The Protector
“Boulder,” he said grumpily. “You lucky bastard.”
“What do you mean?” I asked because if there was one thing I didn’t feel like, it was lucky.
“You got rid of Christina. I swear, Momsies are the most frustrating creatures on this planet. They have no logical sense and live in a fairytale world.” He stopped abruptly and pointed a finger at me. “I’m the ruler of ten million men, but I can’t get one single woman to do my bidding. Can you explain that?”
“No.” I looked back at the woman in question. “But to be honest, I don’t think Pearl is the norm when it comes to Momsies. She seems…” I thought about how to put it, “…unique.”
“Unique?” He glared at me. “If by unique you mean stubborn and inflexible, then yeah, she’s fucking unique.”
“I meant more like – uniquely strong… you know, for a woman.”
He huffed out air and started walking briskly again. “I can’tstandthe woman.”
“Are you sure you still want to be her protector?” I asked.
“Don’t ask me that,” he hissed. “Right now, I’m tempted to boot her all the way to the border. The woman is infuriating.”
“So your plan about brainwashing her isn’t going too well?”
He didn’t answer me, and I decided it was time to change the subject.
“I came to see Magni. Have you seen him?”
“No.” Khan frowned. “He hardly speaks to me anymore.”
“That’s because he doesn’t agree with your decisions regarding Laura. It’s been almost eight weeks since Pearl arrived; don’t you think it’s time to put pressure on her?”
“Laura is gone!” He scowled. “And if I ever see her again, I’ll fucking strangle her myself for all the drama she’s caused between Magni and me. She destroyed my brother and made me look like a fool.” He flung his hand back toward Pearl, who was looking in our direction. “If not for Laura, I would be a happy man who didn’t have to protect the most awful woman in history.”
“Sodosomething about it,” I suggested.
“What?” He raised his voice, his eyes burning into mine. “What exactly would you have me do, Boulder? You want us to go to war because of a woman who didn’t value her marriage?”
“I don’t know, but I get why Magni is upset with you. You have no idea what it’s like, but I do.” The last three words came out pained.
Khan’s eyes softened a bit and he looked down, taking in a calming breath. “I know, my friend. I know you miss her, but there’s nothing I can do about it.” He patted my shoulder. “Give it time and you’ll forget her.”
“No, I won’t. It doesn’t work that way. And the worst part is that I have these obsessive thoughts that she’s pregnant with our child,” I said.
“Who’s pregnant?” Pearl asked behind us and it made us both swing back to face her.
“Eavesdropping now?” Khan accused her. “And you blame me for having bad manners.”
Pearl ignored Khan and focused only on me. “Who is pregnant?”
Clearly Khan was angry with Pearl, but she was the closest thing to Christina right now and I was hoping that maybe she knew something I didn’t, so I spilled my heart. “Christina and I had sex for weeks before she left and I can’t help thinking that she might be pregnant with our child. It’s driving me mental not to know.”
Pearl paled. “You had sex with Christina?”
“Yes.” I furrowed my brow. “She didn’t tell you?”
“No.” She looked thoughtful. “She was probably too ashamed to tell me.”
“Ashamed? What the fuck are you talking about? She’s my wife; why would she be ashamed of having sex with me?” I asked, offended.
“I thought your marriage was a practical solution only.” She tilted her head slightly. “But now it all makes sense.”
Shifting my balance, I shot her a pleading look. “What does? Pearl, I’m begging you, can you find out if she’s pregnant?”
