Page 58 of Crimson

“That went better than I expected,” Nadia said, hesitantly.

Nikolai glanced over at her, giving her a small smile.

“You were wonderful,” he said.

“Your father seems very intelligent,” Nadia said. “And ambitious.”

“Extremely,” Nikolai agreed.

“You’re very like him,” Nadia said.

Nikolai’s hand gave a little jerk on the wheel.

“No, I’m not,” he said, sharply.

“Why not? What’s wrong, Nik?”

He sighed.

“I’m sorry,” he said. “You’re right. I was exactly like him. All I cared about was money, power, success. But not anymore, I swear to you Nadia. You’ve changed me. I’ve had more happiness in one hour with you than I ever got from work.”

“I know exactly what you mean,” Nadia said. “Before I met you, I just felt so...blank. Nothing seemed beautiful or interesting to me. I guess I was a little depressed, looking back on it. But now food tastes sweeter, the sun shines brighter...”

She looked over at Nikolai, at his large, strong hands on the wheel, at his dark blue eyes, serious and intent, watching the road. When she’d first met him, she saw only his handsomeness and charm. But now she also saw tenderness in his expression and worry. Even fear.

“You can tell me anything, you know,” she said softly.

“I just love you,” he said. “That’s what I want to tell you, every minute of every day.”

* * *

24

Nikolai

Nikolai had been miserable all through the dinner with his father. He was full of fear—why had Zavier hatched this mad plan in the first place? Why was he so intent on Nadia? Was it for revenge?

Nikolai couldn’t tell what his father was thinking, but he could tell there was a dangerous undercurrent to his false tone of friendliness. He had a horrible feeling that his father did not at all intend to forgive and forget the offenses of the Lebedevs. He was afraid that Zavier meant to do Nadia harm.

And Nikolai would not let that happen. If it came down to it, he would do whatever was necessary to protect Nadia. Even against his own father.

Later that night, after Nikolai dropped Nadia off at her house, he found his father waiting for him once more.

“You’ve done very well,” Zavier said. “I can see that she’s completely infatuated with you.”

“She loves me,” Nikolai said. “And I love her.”

Zavier laughed.

“You love her?” he said.

“Yes,” Nikolai said fiercely, clenching his fists.

“Isn’t that just...perfect,” Zavier said.

“What’s going on?” Nikolai demanded, taking a step closer to his father so they were almost nose to nose. “What are you planning? I swear to god, Father, if you— “

“Control yourself,” Zavier snapped. “It’s you that’s not following the plan. I told you to seduce her and put a ring on her finger so we could secure the bridge deal. Not succumb to some schoolboy crush.”