Page 22 of Bearing Secrets
Natalia didn’t look like she completely understood, but she didn’t push the subject, much to his relief. Now was not the time to explain that Ursa was a name shared by thousands of his “family”.
They were shown to a table already lit with candles and where a selection of wines had been assembled for them, as per his request. After they selected their drinks of choice, he lifted his and held it out. “To you.”
“To me,” she echoed, but there was suspicion in her voice.
“Is something wrong?” He’d hoped not. Everything had gone smoothly so far. Better, even, given her sudden car knowledge.
“Not at all. But this is starting to feel suspiciously like a date, Kirell. I thought we were just getting together to discuss things.”
“We are. And it does. On purpose.”
“I didn’t agree to a date.”
“You kind of did,” he countered. “I told you to dress formal. For dinner. That’s code for a date.”
“Perhaps.” She sipped her wine, staring at him over the gold-tipped lip of the glass.
“That being said, this is also helping to create a paper-trail of things we’ve done together. If we do proceed with this, then it helps if anyone questions our sudden engagement. More proof, to help you with your Green Card application. The more we’re seen together, the more witnesses we have.”
“Convenient excuse.” But she was smiling now. “You’ve thought this through.”
“I prefer it that way.”
He swallowed the fib, knowing full well he was prone to sudden unplanned outbursts of thoughtless action. That was a minor detail though, and not one that needed going into.
“Can you tell me now some more of what you require from me? I know what I require of you. Sign some papers, have a small party, and I can stay in the country. That’s easy. What should I know about your part?”
“Right down to business I see.” He took a sip.
“Sorry. We can take our time I suppose.”
“Actually, we can’t.”
“We can’t?”
“No. There isn’t much time. That…thing, I told you about, that I need you for. It’s in a little less than two days.”
Natalia took the information on the condensed timeframe in stride. He had to give her credit, she was quick to adapt. Just what he wanted from someone who would be acting a part. “You’re a quick mover.”
“Not normally. It’s outside of my control. There’s more you should know.”
This was going to be the true test. He’d hoped to have some food in them, not to mention some small-talk to help her relax, but it appeared she wasn’t interested. Natalia was taking it as a business deal and acting the part. It was only polite that he did the same.
“Why do I get the feeling I’m not going to like it?” She set her wine glass down and regarded him with a calmness in her features that did well to hide her nervousness; he could see it in the pulsing of the carotid artery in her neck.
Plunging right in, he laid the situation out plainly, without disguising it. “You’re also going to have to spend most of the rest of that time with me. There’s a lot you need to learn, and some of it is going to take adjusting to.” Now he looked away as he delivered the last of it. “And you won’t be able to have contact with anyone else about it either.”
The defenses that she possessed dropped into place immediately. Her expression became closed off, distant, and her eyes, that beautiful golden-brown hue, became almost frigid. “Pardon me? I told you I don’t want any part in anything illegal. If that’s what this is about, I’m calling a cab. I don’t appreciate being lied to, Kirell.” Her voice was glacial.
“It’s not illegal,” he said forcefully. “It’s for my protection, not yours. You will also have to sign a perfectly legal non-disclosure agreement. Again, let me reiterate, it isnotillegal. It’s just serious. You’ll understand if you agree.”
“If I agree, I can’t back out once I understand.”
He shrugged. “I’m not going to lie to you; no, you can’t.”
A fresh-baked loaf of bread was deposited on the table along with several selections of butter. Knowing his preference, he went for the cinnamon butter, while Natalia chose the three-cheese. They ate in a silence that, despite the tension, was still quite comfortable.
“I should have asked for more money.”
