Page 86 of Daniil
“As am I,” Erik says.
“How do you think about your children in one breath and then the idea of another revolution in another?”I demand.“It drives me fucking nuts.”
“You can’t let it bother you,” Erik says patiently.“We’re strong.We have a solid base of supporters.Security is tight.This is just another blip in the radar.”
“It’s not,” I protest.“What do we do if this bill doesn’t pass?This is the only way to keep the country running.We don’t bring in enough with our exports to survive.If we raise taxes again, there will definitely be a revolution.At some point, we’re going to run out of money, and I would prefer it not be at the cost of us personally going bankrupt.”
“No danger of that,” Erik says mildly.“Most of our personal finances are tied up in foreign investments and accounts.The only thing we keep local is the oil money.That’s what sustains us.”
“Which is why it needs to grow!”I growl, frustration heating my skin.
“Hey, we’re on the same side here,” Sandor interjects.
“I know, dammit, but how the hell am I supposed to convince Courtney to stay when I can’t spend more than an hour a day with her?”
The room goes quiet and then Erik smirks.
“So this is about a woman, not politics.”
“Not entirely, but yes, that’s part of it.”
“Things are going well then?”Erik’s eyes twinkle with amusement, which just frustrates me more.
“I don’t know,” I growl.“I haven’t spent more than ten minutes a day of quality time with her the last week.I’m going to wake up and find she’s gone back to the States one of these mornings.”
He cocks his head, expression growing serious.“Is this serious for you, Dan?You can’t marry her just because you knocked her up.If that’s all this is, let her go back to the States.Throw her some money and be done.This life isn’t for most women, especially if you’re not in love.”
I huff out a breath.“When have we had time to fall in love?When I was in Vegas, that was about getting to know my son and figuring out what to do about the situation.By the time we got here, and I came to terms with how deep my feelings for her are, it’s been nothing but a whirlwind.”
“But whirlwind literally describes our life,” Sandor says needlessly.“If she loves you, she has to understand that.”
“How is she going tofallin love with me if I can’t spend time with her?She barely even liked me before I found her in Vegas!All she knows is the playboy prince who used to be married to a man and took an oath to put his life on the line for someoneelse’schildren.”I meet Erik’s gaze guiltily.“And you know I don’t take that lightly, but from the perspective of an outsider looking in, what the hell do I have to offer her?”
“Are you asking me?”
“I’m asking you to look at it from her perspective, and not your own.”
“Okay.”He shrugs.“Here’s an almost completely unbiased observation.One, you’re wealthy.She would have a very good life.Two, you’re good-looking, and based on what I’ve heard, the sex isn’t a problem.”
I grunt, but don’t say anything because Erik is a force to be reckoned with when he’s on a roll.
“Three, you have a supportive, loving family that’s accepted her into the fold without question.Four, your sister-in-law is one of her best friends, which means she always has someone to turn to and talk to.Someone she can trust, outside of her relationship with you.Five, you’re a good human being.She may not know that yet first-hand, but I know it, and she will too, given some time.”
“Okay, so there are pros,” I admit.“But what about the cons?”
“There are a few but you both already know what those are.Have you discussed them?”
“Some.Again, we never seem to have time together.”
“What do you need?”he asks quietly.
“I need to get this fucking pipeline bill passed so I can concentrate on my woman and my son!”I snap.
“I’ve sent Ace into the field,” he says, leaning back in his chair.“Put him undercover at the refinery up north.He speaks fluent Russian, so he’ll go that route, see if there are any rumblings up there.”
“I appreciate it,” I say.“But what do we do in the meantime?I spoke to Rupert Dien, and he said he’s not privy to some of the secret conversations because everyone knows he’s loyal to us, but there have definitely been closed-door meetings for select members of Parliament.And they’re all the ones voting no.”
“Do we know who they are?”
