Page 32 of The Enemy Protector
“Then what do you want?”
He’s quiet for a moment, studying me with those unsettling eyes. “Your father is dying. When he’s gone, you’ll inherit everything—the legitimate businesses, the connections, the power. But you’ll also inherit every enemy he’s made, and he’s made quite a few.”
“I can handle myself.”
“I’m sure you can. But handling yourself against street-level threats is different from handling a coordinated effort backed by Moscow money and old-world connections.”
“You’re referring to my cousin.”
If this man knows about Yuri, things are worse than I thought. Yuri has been busy.
“Yuri,” he confirms. “He has resources. He has backing. And he’s not going to stop with one or two attempts. He’s going to keep coming until you’re dead or until he is.”
I take a sip of water to buy myself time to think. “And you’re offering what, exactly? An alliance? Money to handle my problem?”
“Marriage,” he says. No hesitation.
I nearly choke on the water. “Excuse me?”
“Marriage,” he repeats, like this is the most obvious thing in the world. “You need protection. I need guarantees. This gives us both.”
I stare at him. “You’re insane.”
“I’m practical.”
“You’re asking me to marry a complete stranger because you think my cousin wants me dead.”
“I’m offering you the only outcome where you don’t die.” He leans forward slightly. “Your father’s men are good, but they’re not good enough. Anton proved that yesterday. He saved your life, but he nearly died doing it. Next time, you might not be so lucky.”
It’s only a little disturbing he knows about that. It’s not like it made the papers. Further confirmation that it was indeed my cousin trying to have me killed.
Fucker.
“And you think marrying you solves that problem?”
“I know it does. As my wife, you’d be under my protection. No one in this city would touch you without facing consequences they’re not willing to face. Yuri included.”
I laugh but there’s no humor in it. “Let me get this straight. You want me to marry you, tie my entire future to yours, give you access to everything my family has built, all so you can play bodyguard?”
“It’s more than that, and you know it.”
“What I know is that this is the most arrogant proposal I’ve ever heard. And that’s saying something, considering I’ve had men twice my age offer me ‘protection’ in exchange for God knows what.”
His jaw tightens slightly. “I’m not those men.”
“No, you’re worse. You’re the most powerful man in New York. You could crush my entire operation without breaking a sweat. And now you want me to hand you the keys?”
“I don’t need your permission to take power, Sofia. That isn’t what I’m asking for.” His gaze doesn’t leave mine. “If I wanted what’s yours, I’d already have it. What I’m offering keeps you alive, protects your father’s legacy, and spares us both the chaos of a succession war.”
“How noble of you.”
“I’m not noble. I’m strategic.”
I push my chair back, ready to leave. “Then strategize with someone else. I’m not interested.”
“Sofia— “
My hand finds my lipstick before I've made the conscious decision to reach for it. I stand, looking down at him. “You don’t know me. You don’t know anything about me except what you’ve heard through whatever intelligence network you run. And you think I’m desperate enough to marry a stranger because I’m scared?”
