Page 16 of Arranged with Twins
Ilya makes a note on his phone. “She’s aware of the protection now, correct? You mentioned telling her about it this morning.”
“Yes, she knows. I explained that security around her would be increased, especially once we’re married.
” I consider how that conversation went, and how she accepted the information without argument even while bristling at my other decisions.
“She wasn’t happy about it, but she understood the necessity. ”
“Good. That makes the team’s job easier when the subject is cooperative rather than oblivious or openly dodging them. Remember Kilnaykov’s kid?”
I nod, wincing. He’s a rival family pakhan , but I can take no pleasure in what happened to his family.
His teenage daughter kept ditching her security detail, leading to her kidnapping and death from another family two years ago.
It’s a cautionary tale among us now, and such is our world.
It’s why I’m so determined to protect Sienna from all the darkness I can.
“Tell the team to maintain current protocols but report any significant changes in her behavior or routine immediately.” I finish my scotch and signal for another. “Any deviation from normal patterns could indicate external pressure or threats.”
“Understood.” Ilya makes a note on his phone. “What about Vincent’s situation? Do you want me to arrange a meeting to discuss his options?”
“Not yet. Let him sweat for a few more days while we gather more intelligence on Adrian’s timeline.
” I consider the chess game we’re all playing, trying to anticipate moves and counter-moves.
“Desperate men make predictable choices. I want to know exactly how desperate Vincent is before I offer him any premature assistance before the wedding, which I’m sure Katherine will schedule months from now. ”
He nods, clearly agreeing. “What’s the move if Adrian forces the issue before we’re ready?”
“We’ll respond accordingly.” I meet Ilya’s stare directly. “For now, our priority remains Sienna’s safety. Whatever happens with Vincent or Adrian, she doesn’t get caught in the crossfire.”
“Even if protecting her compromises our strategic position?” He sounds surprised though his expression remains impassive.
The question forces me to examine my own motivations and priorities.
Six months ago, the answer would have been simple.
Back then, strategic objectives took precedence over individual concerns.
That’s how I’ve operated since taking control of the organization, and how I’ve maintained power and eliminated threats.
Tonight, the answer is more complicated.
“We’ll find a way to accomplish both objectives.” I drain my scotch and stand to leave. “Schedule a meeting with our shipping contacts tomorrow. I want to know exactly how much pressure Adrian’s putting on Vincent’s legitimate operations.”
“Done. What about the Cooper situation? Any specific instructions regarding Sienna?”
I pause, considering how to answer that question honestly. What I want is to go to her apartment, apologize for this morning’s coldness, and try to rebuild whatever connection we started forming. What I should do is maintain distance until this situation with Adrian resolves itself.
What I’m going to do is choose strategy over personal desires.
“Continue the current security protocols. Otherwise, I plan to minimize contact unless absolutely necessary for public appearances.” I adjust my jacket and prepare to navigate back through the crowd. “The less interaction we have, the better for both of us.”
He frowns heavily, looking mildly perplexed. “That might be difficult to maintain indefinitely. You’re engaged, after all. People will expect to see you together.”
I shrug. “We’ll manage the essential appearances and nothing more.
This arrangement works best when we both remember what it actually is.
” There’s no reason the marriage can’t continue under the same rules, for that matter.
At some point, we might produce an heir, but I imagine she’ll have demanded her freedom well before we get to that point.
Surely, by then, I’ll be ready to let her go.
The walk back through the club feels longer than the initial journey, partly because I’m moving against the flow of foot traffic and partly because my mind is occupied with the decision I’ve just made.
Maintaining distance from Sienna is the smart choice, the safe choice, and the only choice that protects both our interests.
Too bad the idea of it sits in my stomach like lead. By the time I reach the exit, I’ve convinced myself distant interaction and polite boundaries serve everyone’s best interests. Some relationships are too dangerous to explore, especially when the stakes are higher than they’ve ever been before.
The night air is cold against my face as I step onto the sidewalk where my driver waits with the car running. Through the tinted windows, I see Ilya already on his phone, presumably making arrangements for tomorrow’s meetings and assignments.
I slide into the backseat and lean back against the leather upholstery , closing my eyes. Distance from Sienna means I can focus on the real threats we’re facing with clear judgment unclouded by personal attachments that could compromise everything I’ve built.
It means choosing the organization over the woman, which is exactly what a good leader should do, even if it feels like the wrong choice every time I think about the hurt in her eyes this morning.