Page 88 of My Queendom for a Horse

But knowing it’s Aleks kind of weirds me out. If he did that as a person I’d be disgusted.

That’s a lie.

The thought of Aleks nuzzling my neck with his mouth? It sends a big-time shiver up my spine and makes me want to bite my lip.

“Listen, I know you had no way of knowing he’d come by last night,” Sean says. “But I hate that Russian guy.”

“I know you do,” I say. “But—”

“Just listen for a second,” he says.

That’s fair.

“I get why you hired him. John hates this horse.” He glares. “I hate him, too. Actually, no one but you likes him, and then this guy shows up, and he’s pathetic and he needs work and he’s willing to help.”

I open my mouth, but Sean presses a finger to it.

Obsidian bumps and rubs my face even more. I swat him away.

“You have a big heart, Kris. That’s one of the things I love about you.”

Obsidian snorts. It flings snot on my shoulder.

I shove him this time, hard.

“But I need you to really hear me this time. I know you like your projects, and I know you like to help people, but I mean this. I hate the idea of him working with you, for you, whatever, and it makes me uncomfortable. And now that he’s rich? He doesn’t need you.”

“What are you saying?”

“Fire him,” Sean says. “Or lay him off, or call it whatever you want. He clearly doesn’t need your money, and you don’t need him, either. You have me for whatever you need.” He waves at Obsidian. “Besides. That horse will do anything for you.”

“I’ll think about it,” I say.

Sean steps closer. “I know you. That means no. And I need you to say yes.”

“But I—”

He does it again, pressing his hand to my mouth. “No buts.” He smiles. “Say yes.”

“I’ll talk to him, and—”

“He’s strange,” Sean says. “And did you hear what he said last night? He said women only like men if they’re rich. He was talking about you when he said that.” His right hand balls into a fist. “He meant that you’d like him now that he’s got money. He said it like it was the only thing keeping you with me instead of him. Tell me you got that subtext.”

“I’m not an idiot,” I say. “But I think this is more complicated than you’re making it out to be. I wish you’d trust me to manage my own life and my own affairs.”

“I do,” Sean says. “But I also think that if we’re going to be together again, we should respect the things that the other person needs.” He leans in closer, his breath against my face. “I love you, Kris. I never stopped loving you, and I want you with me all the time. If you can’t get rid of that guy, I might go nuts.”

He’s right. He’s not issuing ultimatums. He’s telling me how he feels, and I should be listening. In fact, what he’s saying isn’t even incongruent with what I’d already decided. Aleksandr needs to go—soon. I just wish I could explain exactly what was going on to Sean. Since it would put another person’s life and future at risk, I still don’t feel like I can.

“I hear what you’re saying and I’m taking it seriously,” I say. “I swear.”

He smiles then, slowly. “Thank you. And I have something I brought for you, as well.” He reaches in his pocket and pulls out a box.

My heart goes crazy. Is he. . .about to propose? The box isn’t super small, but it’s not huge, either. And how should I know what an engagement ring box looks like?

But when he opens it, he’s not down on one knee. . .and it’s a necklace. A diamond necklace, with a single, huge heart stone, set in white gold. The stone must be several carats, because it’s bigger than the end of my thumb. “Merry Christmas,” he says.

“I didn’t bring anything for you,” I say. “I was too busy planning for the hunt.”

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