Page 47 of The Enemy's Defector
“Yes, but it’s not what you should be dealing with right now.”
I frowned, unsure how she could’ve imagined this going any other way. It wasn’t like we’d planned to have a baby. We’d just finally surrendered together after a lifetime of denying ourselves what we wanted most.
“The last thing you need right now is to keep someone else safe. You need to worry about survival. Foryouto survive. Not to also worry about me and this baby.”
“Too fucking late,” I growled before kissing her again.
“I didn’t want to tell you and add to your burdens.”
“You’re not a burden, Katerina. You willneverbe a burden.” I kissed her again, for longer, to really let her feel how strongly I felt about her. Not only that I desired her, but that she mattered so much and always had.
“You’re not… mad, then?” she asked carefully.
“No.” Now I allowed myself a real smile. “I’m pissed you kept it from me, but under these circumstances, I can see why you did, you stubborn woman.”
She smirked sweetly, still hugging me loosely.
“And I’m more pissed at your taking a bullet for me when you knew you were pregnant.” That was no laughing matter.
“I turned to avoid getting hit low,” she reasoned. “I don’t want anything to happen to this baby.”
“I don’t either. Which is why I propose we get married.”
She opened her eyes wide. I sure as hell surprised her now.
“Now,” I added.
“We— What?Now? How could we pull that off?”
I shrugged, admiring the sparkle of mischief in her eyes. The adoration and tenderness wasn’t shabby, either. I’d never tire of seeing her in any of her moods or no matter the emotions. “Now,” I repeated again. “A marriage of convenience instead of a wedding. Just to cement you under Ivanov protection. To ensure this baby has the full force of the Ivanov name behind him or her for security.”
“Nik, don’t be ridiculous.” She shook her head slightly as she pulled away and stepped across the room.
“I’m not.” This was sudden, but it had to be. I didn’t want her or our baby to be without all the might my family represented.
“No Ivanov will protect me.” She shot me a silly look.
“The fuck they won’t.Iwill.”
“You. But none of the others. I’m a Kozlov, Nik. The enemy.”
“By name,” I argued. “And you’ve left Anton and his army.”
She shook her head sadly. “There’s no way anyone would trust me. None of your brothers or your men. Everyone will assume that I’m a spy, especially after that stupid marriage arrangement that I defied.”
“Oh, fuck that arrangement. That was made between my father and yours and it’s old news that they were allies and friends.” I couldn’t understand why she’d protest.
Unless she doesn’t want to be with me forever.
I disregarded that immediately. That couldn’t be true. I refused to believe it.
“It would take so much time and effort to convince every Ivanov that I’m not a spy, Nik. And I bet not all of them would fall in line and believe it.”
I went to her, hugging her close both so I’d be comforted by her presence and touch and also to show her that I wasn’t going anywhere. That I wasn’t letting her go anywhere. “Then we will show them. We will prove it to them and be patient.” I kissed her brow. “You were born a Kozlov and you represent the Kozlovs we used to befriend and respect.” Once more, I kissed her on the forehead. “And as soon as I find a contact to meet us, we will marry andyouwill be an Ivanov.”
21
KATERINA
