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“What?”
“I’ve dreamed about going to school in London.”
“Really?”
“There’s a place called the Royal School of Needlework. They have goldwork courses, and it’s the only program offering a BA in embroidery.”
“What would you do with a degree?”
“I would like to do restoration work for a museum or make costumes for a theater production.” I study my hands and feel self-conscious. “Anyway, it’s a dream.”
“We can find a way to make it happen, Lina.”
I trace a line in the marble and know it’s not likely. Not only because there will always be someone with grabby hands and bad intentions but because I’m married to a Bratva enforcer.
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
Yuri
I take the guns from the table and start strapping them to my holsters as I have done every day since I turned fifteen and hear my wife walk in.
“Do you ever go anywhere without a weapon?”
“No.” I adjust my holster. “How do you feel about carrying one? You did pretty well at the range yesterday.” Her nose scrunches up. “You will always have protection, but sometimes the fight comes to you, and I don’t like the idea of you being unarmed.”
“I’ve spent twenty-nine years without a gun, so I should be okay.”
“But now you’re an heiress and my wife. The Triad doesn’t distinguish between men and women, nor do the Cartels.”
“Are you trying to frighten me to death?”
Leaning down, I cup her face. “I want you to be aware of the world you now inhabit.” Her eyes cloud with worry, and as guilty as I feel for it, I don’t regret it. She needs to understand the circumstances have changed irrevocably, and returning to civilian life is impossible. Not just because of who I am but because of her family fortune.
“I will be careful, Yuri.”
“And Fedor and Yvgeny will not leave your side.” I kiss her lips quickly and then slide my jacket on. “Do you have any plans today?”
“Other than cowering in a corner and praying that no one enters the building with guns blazing…no.”
“Be sure to stretch every thirty minutes because cowering can be hell on your back.” She sticks her tongue out and then laughs. “I will probably be home late tonight. We have business out of town.”
Standing, she straightens my tie. “How far out of town? Are we talking Deerfield or Brazil?”
“No planes today.”
“How very illuminating.” Shaking her head, she leans over and opens a basket beside her coffee cup. “Hopefully, you won’t need this.” She holds up a white handkerchief. “I didn’t have time to do anything more than a simple monogram.”
Taking the white cloth, I feel my heart expand. “This is beautiful.” Running my finger over our initials, I swallow. “Thank you.”
“The next ones will be nicer.”
I tuck it into my pocket and kiss her head. “Call Fedor if you need anything.”
“Have a good day, husband.”
“Thank you, wife.”
Striding out the door, I tell myself that this will all feel normal before too long, and the knot in my chest will go away.
