Page 72 of Tarnished Queen

I hesitate and sigh. “There are… rumors circulating amongst my men that you worked with Xena.”

“Shit.” She takes her lower lip in her mouth. “What did you tell him?”

“I told him I have it under control and there’s nothing to worry about.”

Her shoulders sag in obvious relief. “That’s good.”

“But Christo made a good point. He said you’re top of the hit list of three different criminal organizations.”

Her brow knits together. “Wait. Three? The Simatous, the Battiatos… what’s the third one?”

I stare at her, waiting for the reality to sink in.

“Yourmen want to kill me?” she bleats in disbelief.

“They think you’re distracting me. It’s absurd. It’s also hard to blame them. When you showed up, all the shit hit the fan. My deal with the Simatous fell through, we were attacked, and now, you and I are engaged.”

Belle leans forward. “Can’t you just tell them not to kill me? Like, forbid it?”

“Power doesn’t work like that. I can’t just order them to feel a certain way about you. I can order them not to harm you, but the only thing that will change their minds and ensure no one takes matters into their own hands is for me to show them you aren’t a distraction.”

“Okay… and how are you going to show them that?”

I lean back in my chair, hoping if I look relaxed that Belle will take the news better. “I have hotels and houses and apartments all around the world. There are beautiful safehouses where you and Elise will be comfortable. Places where you can—”

“Run and hide,” she snaps before I can finish. “Why bother with the villas and finery? You’re shoving us in a closet, Nikolai. There are plenty in this house.”

“If maintaining control of my Bratva and keeping you alive means I’m ‘shoving you in a closet,’ then sure, that’s what I’m doing,” I fire back. “I’ll be able to handle the threats here better if I know you are safe.”

“And if I’m out of the way. Not a distraction.” She sighs. “When will I be allowed to come back? At what point will I not be a ‘distraction’ anymore? Before or after the baby is born? Or maybe I’ll just stay hidden away until the kid is one or two? Or, better yet, I’ll raise our kid and then send them back to you when it’s time for them to take over the Bratva. Then, having served my purpose, I’ll rot in whatever foreign hidey-hole you’ve dropped me into while you live ‘distraction-free’ here.”

“You’re being dramatic.”

“We’re supposed to be getting married,” she says, pushing herself to standing and facing off with me across the desk. “Is that still happening?”

“Last I checked, you didn’t even want to get married.”

Her jaw twinges, but she doesn’t say anything.

“Or have you changed your mind?” I ask. “You were ready to throw yourself on the sword to avoid it, but now, you’re suddenly ready to be Belle Zhukova?”

I meant it as a jab to draw her out, but hearing her name mingled with mine does something to me. My body heats, and I can feel that magnetic pull between us working both ways. The distance between us seems so much larger now. I need her closer.

“Have you changedyourmind?” she fires back. “You’re the one trying to send me away. I thought my mom was exaggerating when she said I made everyone miserable, but now, I’m not so sure. Elise wants nothing to do with me, and you’re trying to get rid of me. Maybe I’d be better off leaving everyone alone.”

I round my desk before I even realize what I’m doing. My body is drawn to hers. Before, I thought she was throwing a temper tantrum, but I can sense the desperation now. She’s like a person drowning, so panicked that she’s willing to take her rescuer down with her for one gulp of air.

I pull her in close and press my palm to the back of her neck. I can feel her quick breaths against my chest. “I’m not getting rid of you,kiska. I’m protecting you.”

Her voice is meek. “Is there even a difference?”

“In terms of your response? No. You’d be a pain in the ass regardless.” I feel her chuckle and I hold her tighter. “But in terms of my motivation, there’s a pretty big difference.”

“And what’s your motivation?” Her voice is so soft I can barely hear it. Her fingers curl in the fabric of my shirt.

“I told you: to keep you safe.”

She pulls back and looks up at me. “Me or the baby?’

---