Page 125 of My Big, Fat, Accidental Billionaire Husband

“What do you want?” I ask again, cutting to the chase. “More money? A bigger percentage? What will it take for you to leave this alone?”

Nico takes a sip of his coffee, watching me over the rim. “You know something? I saw her. Your wife. At the gala last week.”

This is news to me. I didn’t know Nico was at the gala. Just like I hadn’t known Weiss was there. Had they gone together? Doubtful. “You were there?”

“In the background. I didn’t approach. Just watched.” His expression shifts, becoming more serious. “She’s quite something, isn’t she? Much more impressive in person than in those tabloid photos.”

Something territorial flares inside me, but I suppress it. “Nico...”

“What? I’m just saying she’s attractive. Smart too, from what I could tell. Handling those investors like a pro.” He sets his cup down. “Tell me something, Dom. When this deal closes and your temp marriage ends, what happens to her?”

“That’s none of your business.”

“But youaregetting an annulment, right? That’s the plan?” When I don’t immediately answer, he presses, “Have you changed your mind?”

“No,” I admit finally. “The marriage will be annulled.”

He nods slowly, as if confirming a theory. “Remember what you said to me at the restaurant? That you’d do anything to make things right between us?”

“I remember,” I say cautiously, not liking where this is heading.

“Did you mean it?”

The weight of our history sits heavily between us. I can feel the guilt that’s shaped every decision I’ve made since that night.

Coward.

“Yes,” I say quietly. “I meant it.”

Nico leans forward, his eyes never leaving mine. “Then I want you to introduce me to Tatiana. Set us up.”

For a moment, I’m certain I’ve misheard him. “What?”

“You’re getting an annulment in a couple of days, right? So what’s the problem?” His tone is casual, but there’s nothing casual about the request. “I find her interesting. I’d like to get to know her better.”

“Absolutely not,” I say automatically. Anger, jealousy, emotions I’d never expected to feel for her, surge to the forefront.

“Why not? You’ll be done with her soon enough.” Nico’s voice hardens. “Or is there another reason? Something you’re not telling me?”

“She’s not some object to be passed around, Nico. She’s a fuckingperson. A human being.”

“I fucking know that,” he says, sounding genuinely offended. “I’m not asking you to pass her around. I’m asking for an introduction. A chance to talk to her without the whole temporary marriage thing hanging over her head. I like her, okay?”

“No,” I repeat, but with less conviction this time.

Nico’s expression darkens. “So much for doing anything to make things right. I guess some promises are easier to break than others, huh, Dom?”

The accusation hits its mark with devastating precision. I’ve been breaking promises to Nico since we were kids, since the moment I...

I close my eyes.

“It’s not that simple,” I try to explain.

“Itisthat simple,” he counters. “Either you meant what you said about making things right, or you didn’t.” He pauses, then asks, “Do you have feelings for her or something? Is that what this is about?”

“No,” I lie, the word tasting bitter. “It’s not about feelings.”

“Then what’s the problem?” He spreads his hands. “The marriage was fake. It’s ending. All I’m asking for is a chance to meet her properly.”

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