Pyotr research Gleb for a protracted second, his frown turning into one thing nearer to a scowl. “I don’t assume it is best to danger being by yourself. No less than not proper now,” he states, ultimately, turning his eyes again to me. “Your fiancé may ship somebody after you once more.”

I nod. “If I had household to show to, I might attain out and ask for assist, however…”

Pyotr shakes his head. “Mel, we’re your loved ones. Don’t that by now?”

Sudden tears sting my eyes on the adamance in his tone. “Thanks,” I murmur, almost choking on my emotion. “However I can’t burden your loved ones with my issues. You’ve already achieved a lot for me, and you’ve got sufficient troubles as it’s, what with Mikhail and making an attempt to rebuild…”

Nodding, Pyotr’s expression shifts to considerate as his gaze turns towards Silvia. “I agree that you would be able to’t keep right here.”

And although I do know that’s principally what I simply mentioned, I can’t assist the ridiculous sting of rejection, the sudden sense of abandonment. We drove all this fashion, fully turned my life and Gabby’s on its head, solely to have nowhere to go.

“This home wouldn’t be any safer for you or Gabby,” Pyotr continues, instantly assuaging that feeling of rejection. “We’re making an attempt to maintain a low profile, however Mikhail is unpredictable, and the Veles simply don’t have the energy of numbers we used to. I can’t assure your security like I as soon as might. I hold making an attempt to persuade Silvia she could be higher off taking the youngsters and going again to Chicago to stick with her brother for some time?—”

“And I hold telling you we’re a household. We stick collectively,” Silvia cuts in.

It’s clearly been an ongoing argument. And I like that that is the sort of factor two individuals in love can disagree over—whether or not security or being collectively is extra essential.

“I do know, sokrovishche,” he murmurs, urgent a kiss to Silvia’s brow and silencing her with it.

When his eyes flip again to me, his expression is a nerve-racking mix of foreboding and compassionate. “After all the pieces Gleb has informed me in regards to the Kellys and this Irishman you’ve been tousled with,” Pyotr says, “I believe one of the simplest ways to maintain you protected is so that you can marry.”

I can’t assist the burst of incredulous laughter that leaves my lips, and from the nook of my eye, I see Gleb stiffen. Clearly, he wasn’t imagining that might be the sort of assist Pyotr would recommend both.

“From what I perceive,” Pyotr causes, “the Kellys are devoutly Catholic—or a minimum of, in their very own method.”

I nod, pondering again to what I find out about Mr. Kelly, his affinity for serving to single moms, and the knowledge I gathered from the women over my years of working at Pearl’s. He’s not fallacious.

“They’d think about marriage a binding contract within the eyes of god, proper?” Pyotr continues.

My thoughts shifts to the dialog I had with Kieri simply the opposite night time, the warning she gave me that marriage to a Kelly was for all times. My abdomen knots painfully, and once more, I nod.

“So if this Vincent Kelly learns you belong to another person, he’s extra doubtless to surrender the hunt. Particularly now that you just’re lots of of miles away, and he must spare the lads to return seek for you in a metropolis as massive as New York. So, we are able to unfold the phrase about your nuptials in Boston earlier than he tries to return searching for you once more.”

“However, Pyotr, I can’t get married simply to attempt to keep away from my final rash settlement to marry somebody,” I counter, even when the plan sounds simpler than something I’ve give you. “In addition to, nobody would comply with marry me anyhow, simply to maintain me out of the fingers of a crazed Irish mafia member. They’d should have a dying want.”

Pyotr’s eyebrow raises at my adamant objection, and with no trace of humor, he states, “Gleb will.”

It feels as if he’s launched a bolt of electrical energy by means of my chest, and I have a look at Gleb in utter disbelief that his boss would even recommend such a daft thought. Gleb was the one who simply mentioned within the automobile that it could be greatest if we went our separate methods. I can’t ask him to marry me now. Not when he clearly desires area.

My coronary heart stutters on the depth of his green-eyed gaze, the struggle of feelings that wage behind the calm masks of his face. Then, to my astonishment, he provides a curt nod. It’s the one acknowledgment he provides, but it surely’s his method of claiming he’ll marry me.

Not that he desires to.

However as soon as once more, Gleb is keen to do what it takes to maintain me protected.

Even when it means sacrificing his personal desires and desires.

“Good. It’s determined then,” Pyotr states. “We’ll take you to the courthouse as we speak. In addition to, I don’t assume there’s a safer place so that you can keep than with Gleb.”

Oh god, I’ll be residing with him?

I imply, after all, I might if I’m his spouse—even when it’s simply to get Vinny off my again.

However simply the considered it makes my coronary heart pound forcefully towards my ribs.

Gabby should really feel the frantic beat as a result of she turns in my lap to take a look at me with solemn concern.

39

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