Page 63 of The Enemy Protector
“Done.” He extends his hand. “Do we have an agreement?”
I look at his hand. Large. Scarred knuckles. Tattoos that disappear under his sleeve. This is the hand of a man who’s killed people. Who’s built an empire on blood and fear.
This is the hand that’s going to save my life.
I take it. His grip is firm. Warm. I feel a jolt all the way to my toes.Damn it.
I look into his eyes and search.So familiar.Maybe he’s been watching me like Nelson. I’ve been around him for God knows how long and somehow never noticed him.
“We have an agreement,” I say. I hate that I sound breathless.
He doesn’t let go right away. He just holds my hand, studying my face like he’s memorizing it. Like this handshake means more to him than it should.
“You’re making the right choice,” he says quietly.
“I hope so.”
He releases my hand and pulls out his phone. “Kirill. Bring the contract.”
Five minutes later, Kirill walks in with a leather portfolio. He sets it on the dining table and opens it. “Standard terms.”
“Pre-nup?” I ask as I flip through the pages. “I don’t see any language about protecting our assets.”
“The only way this marriage ends is when one of us dies.”
My eyes jump to his. “What?”
“There will never be a divorce.”
There’s no heat in his voice. No threat. That somehow makes it worse.
That should be terrifying. But it’s oddly comforting. I’ll never have to be with a man. I’ll never have to trust a husband.
It’s almost too good to be true.
“Okay.”
“I’m not trying to steal your empire, Sofia. I’m trying to keep you alive long enough for you to run it.”
I pick up the pen. It feels like it weighs a hundred pounds. One signature that will change my entire life. Good or bad—that’s yet to be determined.
But I am out of options. I want to live, even if that means I need my enemy to save me.
I sign on the dotted line.
Sergei signs next. Then Kirill witnesses it. It’s done. In five days, I’ll be Sofia Sokolov.
The thought makes my stomach flip.
“I’ll have your things moved here today,” Sergei says. “The penthouse is yours. Full security. Nelson will be your primary detail. There are three other guards rotating shifts. No one gets past them.”
“My classes?”
“You won’t be attending classes until after the wedding.”
“I didn’t agree to that.”
“Yes, you did.”
