He doesn’t look convinced but doesn’t push. Instead, he pulls me closer and kisses me properly, and for a second, I let myself pretend it’s still just this simple, and we’re just two people who care about each other without all the complications or worries about the future.
When we break apart, I rest my forehead against his chest and close my eyes, trying to memorize this feeling of safety andconnection before everything becomes infinitely more complex. “I love you,” I whisper against his shirt, the words slipping out before I can stop them.
He goes very still. “Sarah...”
I pull back to look at him, seeing surprise and something else in his expression I can’t quite read. “You don’t have to say anything. I just needed you to know.”
Before he can respond, I step away and busy myself with organizing his schedule for the day, pretending my heart isn’t hammering against my ribs while I wait to see how he’ll react to my confession.
The silence is heavy.
10
Yarik
Three days have passed since Sarah whispered those three words against my chest in this very office, and I still haven’t responded. She doesn’t seem to expect me to, which should be a relief. Instead, I’m irritated that she expects so little from me that my silence doesn’t even wound her.
Or maybe it does, and she’s just better at hiding it than I am at admitting what those words did to me.
Sarah sits at the small conference table I’ve had moved into my office, reviewing quarterly compliance reports. She’s been withdrawn since that morning, acting professionally and composed, if distant, but I catch glimpses of something else when she thinks I’m not watching. Pain, maybe, or resignation.
I should feel grateful she’s not pushing for a response or making our situation more complicated than it already is. Instead, I want to shake her, to demand she fight for what she told me she feels and make this harder for me.
The engagement party is tomorrow night. After months of delays and excuses, I’ve run out of reasons to postpone what feels increasingly like my own execution.
I review the final guest list Katya submitted this morning while Sarah works on her own projects. Eighty-seven people, which is more than we originally discussed. Several names I don’t recognize despite my familiarity with most Nikitin associates catch my attention.
Valentin appears in my doorway without knocking, a habit that usually irritates me but today provides welcome distraction. He carries his laptop and looks like he comes bearing unpleasant news.
“The security briefing.” He settles into the chair across from my desk, barely glancing at Sarah. Over the past few weeks, he’s clearly realized the nature of my relationship with her, but he’s too professional to comment directly, and he takes her presence in stride. He doesn’t discuss sensitivebratvabusiness in front of her though. Just security concerns and vaguer issues. “We need to discuss tomorrow night’s protocols.”
I gesture for him to proceed while Sarah continues working on her compliance reports, but she’s certainly listening to every word.
“Katya already has unrestricted access to the estate, which creates some vulnerabilities.” Valentin opens his laptop and pulls up a floor plan of the main house. “Some of her guests may be looking to gather intelligence she hasn’t been able to obtain yet.”
I frown. “Such as?”
“Security layouts, vault access codes, or private wing entry points.” He highlights several areas on the digital map. “These things would be valuable for future operations.”
Yes, they would, but can I expect her associates to use advantages against me if I’m marrying her? I don’t know, which bothers me. I’d prefer a clear threat identify itself easily. “Recommendations?”
“I have men sweeping the estate for any surveillance devices that might have been placed during previous visits. We should also limit unsupervised movement during the event and assign discreet shadows to anyone we don’t have complete background information on.”
I study the floor plan, noting the areas Valentin has marked as particularly sensitive. “How many men do you need?”
“Six for interior coverage and four for perimeter watch.” He makes notes on his laptop. “I’ll coordinate with estate security to ensure seamless coverage.”
“Do it.” I close the laptop and hand it back to him. “What about catering arrangements?”
“The original company had to cancel due to a kitchen fire. We need a replacement by tomorrow afternoon.”
Sarah looks up from her compliance work, and something flickers across her expression before she speaks, as though she’s reluctant to help with the engagement party. Who can blame her? “My roommate’s employer handles high-end events. Hartley Catering. They’re reliable and discreet.”
A flicker of pain crosses her face before she smooths it away with professional composure. She’s just offered help planningthe party that will celebrate my engagement to another woman, and she realizes exactly what that means.
“Contact them.” I make the decision without hesitation, hating the way Sarah’s face goes blank. “If they can handle the event on short notice, hire them.”
Valentin nods and makes another note. “Anything else?”
