Page 56 of The Enemy Protector
Nelson doesn’t ask. He walks into the hall with Kirill and closes the door behind him.
“Are you hurt?”
“No. The blood isn’t mine.”
“Good.” I move to the desk and stand where Nelson had been. I’m purposely keeping distance between us. She needs space right now. “This is the third attempt in two weeks.”
“I’m aware.”
“Your guards didn’t show up tonight.”
Her jaw tightens. “I noticed.”
“Which means either they’re dead, compromised, or someone gave them orders to stand down.”
She doesn’t respond, but I see her process the implications.
“You have a problem, Sofia. A significant one. And it’s not going away.”
“I know.” I hear the crack in her voice and despise the part of me that knows it gets me closer to yes.
“You have two choices.” I cross my arms, watching her carefully. “You accept my protection formally or you wait for the next attempt. And the one after that. And the one after that until eventually, they succeed.”
“That’s not much of a choice.”
“It’s the only choice you have right now.”
She sets down the water bottle and stands. She’s wearing heels. And a short dress. I haven’t seen her heels or a dress like that since that night.
She notices me looking and pulls at the hem of her dress.
“Why?” she asks. “Why do you care if I live or die?”
The question deserves the truth. She’s not getting it from me tonight.
“Because your death destabilizes the city. Because a war between you and Yuri costs me money and resources. I’d rather negotiate with you than with your cousin.” All true. None of it the real reason.
She studies my face, looking for the lie.
“You’ve been watching me,” she says. “For how long?”
“Long enough.”
“That’s not an answer.”
“It’s the answer you’re getting tonight.”
Her eyes narrow. “If I agree to this—if I accept your protection—what does that cost me?”
“Nothing you weren’t already prepared to lose.”
“My independence.”
“Your independence was gone the moment Yuri landed in this city.”
She flinches slightly. I’ve hit a nerve.
“I need time to think,” she says.
