Chapter Thirty-Eight
In which Andrey is getting the sense that he might have fucked up.
Andrey…
What have I done?
I have never seen Iris like she was, pale, and swaying.
Of course, I had never planned on telling her that I'd added the charges to her rap sheet. Why would I?
I thought she was still out with Rose, I wouldn't have had the goddamn speaker on and my door open if I thought she was home.
Slumping back down on my office chair, I stare out the window.
There was never a reason for Iris to know all the details. The result would have been the same. We're married. I believe she is happy here, with me. My obsession with her grows every day.
I’m used to analyzing every move and predicting all possible outcomes, so I'm always prepared when I take action. This time, I didn't factor this one in. I wasn't thorough. That was a mistake, and I don't make those.
Without thinking about why, I call Nik. "Brother!" He sounds delighted. "An unprovoked call from you? What's the occasion?"
"I… did something."
His voice sharpens with concern. "Are you all right? Is Iris?"
"When I called you to the house that day to explain my wedding to Iris…" I scratch at a slight watermark on the polished surface of my desk. Why is it here? I always use a coaster.
"Go on," he says. When I don't speak, his voice softens slightly. "Look, whatever happened, you can tell me."
"Iris was picked up by the Long Island police. That part is true. It was that piece of shit broker she and Rose had worked with, Jackson. He turned her in so he could get a better deal on a charge he was facing."
"What!" Nik's outraged. "That small-time piece of shit set up one of our people?"
"I went into the system with Detective Connor and erased Jackson’s file, too, like he never existed. Then, I took him out, so there was no reason to worry about it."
"None of that is a surprise and I'm glad you did it," he says. "It saved us a lot of trouble. If she’d had to go to court and it was public, that would be a disaster."
"The attempted murder charge," I say, "the attack on a police officer, the other felony charges…" Why am I hesitating? I did what I did and I have no regrets. "I was the one who entered them into the arrest warrant."
I could really use a drink right now. Hell, I'd even drink Nik's shit vodka.
"What the fuck?" Nik explodes. "Why would you do that?"
"Because Iris is extraordinary, and I needed her. She was a perfect fit as my wife, already a member of the family. Our marriage secured the nomination."
"Let me get this straight," he says. I can hear his shoes tapping, which means he's pacing his office. "You went in to handle Iris's arrest. Then you added all those horrific charges. Do you understand how terrified she was?"
"It was a moment of discomfort for the correct outcome." I'm surprised to hear myself, I sound so defensive. "I have made Iris happy."
"So, why are you calling me sounding like someone just punched you in the heart?" Nik asks.
"Iris overheard me talking to Detective Connor today.
Elana Carrington has been digging, trying to find some way to smear her reputation, thinking she is an easier target than I am, so I needed to be certain that there wasn't any trace.
It's all been erased from the Long Island and NYPD databases.
" I pull off my tie and unbutton my shirt collar.
The study must be too hot. I should check the thermostat.
"She heard me. I've never seen her like this. She left before I could adequately discuss this with her, so she could see my point."
"Oh, fuck," he groans.
"She said she could have forgiven me if I had told her about it, if I'd been honest. But what reason would I have to tell her? Why bring up something unpleasant when it isn't needed?"
"Brother -" he pauses. "Do I have any ibuprofen in here?
" I can hear him open a desk drawer and shuffle around.
"I know you don't think like the rest of us, but you are also the smartest man I know.
It never once occurred to you that telling her the truth was something she could handle?
That she wouldn't value honesty over you keeping her in the dark on something this crucial?
I can't begin to tell you how much groveling you're going to have to do to make amends for this. If she lets you."
"We're married," I snap. "She's not going anywhere."
"Don't you get it?" he says. "You might as well just stab her in the chest. Do you know what a betrayal this is?"
Why does that send a stab of panic through my chest?
"But she's happy," I say, trying to understand the point here. "Why does it matter?"
"Because you threatened her entire future and forced her to marry you! Because you lied to all of us about what happened. Dmitri would lose his fucking shit if he knew you lied to him! On your list of serious fuckups, you can add on lying to the Pakhan," he emphasizes.
"It wasn't a lie. It was a misdirection." I say stubbornly. "All of those things were listed on the warrant. I just didn't say that I'd added them."
"I don't think that Iris is going to be back for a while," he sighs. "You should come over for dinner. I know you respect Caroline's opinion."
"Maybe." I rub my forehead. I wish I'd found some ibuprofen like he had.
"I am going to warn you right now," he says. "Caroline is going to tear you a new asshole. Because there has to be a way to show you that this is some seriously fucked-up shit."
"Well, now I certainly want to come over for dinner,” I say wryly.
"Just come. Come now. But do you know the best thing about this?"
"Is there a good thing about this?" I ask.
"Yes," he says happily. "You, my brother, called me for advice. You called me to tell me something terrible had happened, and you were willing to share it with me. Thank you."
"You're thanking me for this?" I ask.
"Yes. Because I'm still your brother, and we are supposed to come to each other in times like these. I'll see you in a half an hour or so, don't be late. Caroline's making lobster bouillabaisse and a French tart for dessert."
"You people and your desserts." I rub my eyes. "I think it would be wise if I looked for Iris right now."
"Get in touch with Melina. Make sure that Iris is safe. Tell her to have Iris contact you when she's ready to talk."
Slumping back in my chair, I blow out a deep sigh. "Yes, that would be good."