Page 116 of Desperate Crimes

But maybe—with Nico at my side—I could be.

Because whatever we just unleashed?

It’s already too late to stop it.

Chapter Thirty-Nico Jr

The double doors to Adrik Volkov’s study click shut behind us like the closing of a cage.

The room is exactly what you’d expect from a man like him—bookshelves lined with antique ledgers and oil portraits, a mammoth desk of dark walnut at the center, and a cold decanter of something expensive and sharp glinting on the sideboard.

Adrik stalks behind that desk like he’s claiming his territory.

My father and mother stand a little to my right.

I’m at center stage. Leanna’s beside me, a fucking vision in blue, but I keep her slightly behind my shoulder.

My hand never leaves hers. I won’t let go.

Not in this room.

Not ever.

Her mother, Sofia, stands near the fireplace, her eyes wet, lips parted like she might break—but she doesn’t.

Marat Volkov and his wife, Destiny, are standing in the corner, unreadable.

And then my mother turns to Leanna, her voice like soft water.

“Are you okay, sweetheart?”

Leanna blinks, visibly caught off guard by the kindness. She nods slowly.

“Yes, thank you. I’m okay.”

I squeeze her fingers.

And I offer a silent thank you to my mother for saying what I couldn’t.

What I wouldn’t trust myself to say without lighting the fuse on this whole fucking room.

Then Sofia speaks, her voice thin. “I-I’m glad to hear that, Lee-Lee. I’m just confused. Am I a bad mom?”

“What? No, Mom—” my wife chokes on the words.

My body goes taut. Tense. All the men do. But we remain silent while mother and daughter have this emotional confrontation.

“I just—I never got to give either of my daughters away. Never got to do the whole wedding planning thing. No big dress. No aisle. No vows in front of friends and family. And well, is it my fault? Am I so unapproachable?” Sofia asks softly.

Guilt twists in my chest like a knife. Fuck.

“No, Mom, I swear. It has nothing to do with you or Dad. We didn’t intend to hurt anyone,” my wife states, but her voice is shaky, and I know this is upsetting her.

“Mrs. Volkov, please accept my apology. See, the rush and secrecy were all my fault. I just couldn’t live another day without her. But I wasn’t thinking about how our situation would affect anyone else. But I promise my intentions are honorable,” I explain.

“Honorable?” Adrik murmurs. “You married my daughter without my knowledge. You didn’t ask. You stole.”

“You can’t steal something that’s always been yours, Mr. Volkov. I think you of all people would know that,” I challenge.