Page 124 of Secret Husband
NyQuil
Congrats, Nazarov. Makes me think I should get a move on.
Theo
Ahem, better ask my permission first. That’s my daughter we’re talking about.
Gaultier
Oh no. Daddy and Daddy are fighting again.
NyQuil
No fighting, and the first person who will hear about any proposal is Adeline.
Me
And everyone in this group.
NoBo
Yeah, good deal. And if someone doesn’t fill me in on these sliders, I will not be fucking responsible.
“You have been ignoring my calls and texts.”
Lauren looked up from behind her laptop and frowned upon seeing me. “Esme?” she called out.
“She is not here. But if she was, I’m sure she wouldn’t refuse entry to her boss’s husband.”
“True, that girl’s an incurable romantic.” She slumped back in her seat. “How did they find out, Alexei?”
“Someone is always combing the Las Vegas marriage records, looking for stories. I’m just surprised they recognized our names.”
“That Hot Goss site is obsessed with the Rebels. And of course, they put the worst possible spin on it, accusing me of being in cahoots with Thad.”
They would see what they wanted to see. “I did contact them to correct the record.”
“What?” She placed her hands on the desk, ready to spring and attack.
“It did not specify that Brad was your ex-boyfriend. That is an important detail.”
“Agh! I told you that making this public would only make it worse.” She shook her head. “Never mind that. How’s Sasha?”
“Asking when he can play chess again.” I moved to the window. “The day did not end well for you, Lauren, but it was a good one for my father. Thank you for making it happen.”
She rose from her desk and joined me. “I’m glad to hear it. It’s a small thing but maybe we can find more activities for him.”
I was encouraged by the use of “we.” With that in mind, I offered a suggestion.
“I think we should put out some public statement. About us.” Curling my hand around her hip, I pulled her toward me, so gratified when she leaned her forehead on my shoulder. This was what I wanted: to be her comfort, her protector, her everything. “We might have been drunk, but it was not a mistake. We have nothing to be ashamed of.”
“But the timing. It’s all so messed up.”
I raised her chin. “I am proud to be your husband, so why not tell the world this? Or do you still want to take it slow?”
She raised an eyebrow. “I think events have overtaken us. I just want to freeze everything in place and fix each problem one by one.”
“Together we can solve this. Let me take care of you, zhena.”
