Page 131 of Bride By Coronation

"I'll handle it," I insist, but I can only imagine how this will play out.

The plane comes to a stop.

We take off our seat belts, and Arina appears. "Can I get you anything before you leave?"

"I think we're good, Arina," I reply.

"Yes, thank you," Fiona offers.

Arina pins another starstruck gaze on Fiona, then smiles. "It was an honor flying with you, Your Majesty."

Fiona shifts in her seat. "Um, thank you."

Arina curtsies and goes to the front of the plane. She opens the door, and cold air rushes inside.

Fiona peeks past me out the window. She groans and then declares, "This is going to be so bad."

I rise and put my Glock in the back of my pants, noting, "No time like the present." I grab her jacket and hold it toward her.

She stands and slides into it. Then she buttons it up.

I secure the top button and offer, "Might be better for your mom not to see the plastic wrap right now."

She blows out an anxious breath of air. "Good call."

I motion for her to go first. She hesitates, then lifts her chin and exits the plane.

I follow her down the staircase, quickly stepping beside her and sliding my arm around her waist.

Dante and Bridget fly across the small runway.

"Hey," Fiona greets.

"You're coming with us," Bridget asserts, glancing at me with the color draining from her face.

I push the familiar, uncomfortable feeling down and state, "I know this isn't what you wanted for your daughter?—"

"Isn't what she wanted? You're a Petrov," Dante snarls, and reaches for Fiona, commanding, "Let's go."

I scowl and step between them, pushing Fiona back.

"Don't touch her," Dante threatens.

"She's my wife. You're going to need to accept it," I warn.

Bridget's voice shakes. "Fiona, please. Come with us. You can't be with him."

"Stop! Everyone, stop!" Fiona shouts, moving next to me.

I grind my molars and tighten my grip on her waist.

Bridget closes the gap between them. She reaches for her cheeks. A tear slips down her face, and she cries, "I don't know how this happened, but I need you to come with us. Please. You don't know who he is or what he's done."

My stomach flips. I stand taller, declaring, "I've done nothing worse than anything either of your husbands have done."

She snaps her head toward me, seething, "Don't you dare stand here and accuse my husbands of vile things! Or insinuate that you knew Fiona's father!"

"Mom! He knew Dad!" Fiona interjects.

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