Falling With Grace

Nadia’s face slackened, and I chuckled.

Liar.

“Well…” She sat upright. “I know Pierre. He’s French. I bet he’d be right up your alley.”

“Doubt it.” Javier settled into his chair, his arms straight on the armrests, his eyes closing. “I’m actually thinking about joining the priesthood; maybe becoming celibate.”

“Best not to play matchmaker with Javier.”

She wrapped her arms around my neck, and heat prickled up my hairline like an incessant itch I needed to rid myself of.

“Or maybe we could set you up with Grace.”

“She doesn’t listen very well, does she?” Javier exhaled.

“Well, she’s sticking around for some reason.” She turned to me. “Why do you think that is?”

“Because I want her to.”

Her brows pulled taut. “Are you fucking her?”

Javier coughed, his knee flying into the air as he convulsed.

I pushed her off my lap, her light frame weighing me down like a ten-ton rock. “What makes you think that?”

“Why else is she here?”

She stood, her tall frame hovering, my legs wide and absorbing the space around me. “This is my home, Nadia. I’ll keep whomever I please here.”

“And when we’re married?”

I drew in a deep breath. “Whatever I want.”

“That’s not acceptable.”

I raised a brow. “Is that right?”

“If I’m going to be your wife, I refuse to have another woman living in our home. Especially one I don’t know.”

“If you’re my wife?” I stood and placed my hands on her shoulders, my brows pinched tight together. “That sounds like an ultimatum.”

“Maybeit is.” She glanced at Javier, swaying her hips as she planted her hands on them. “I won’t be disrespected and have your harlot under the same roof as me.”

Javier’s laughter choked out, and a simmering heat pinched my chest.

I tucked my hand in my pocket, hiding my clenched fist, and offered her a tight-lipped smile. “Nadia. I think it’s best we end this conversation. You won’t like what comes next.”

“What is that supposed to mean?” She shook her head, and Javier stood behind her, his serious nature morphing into his features.

“It means keep your mouth shut.” I stepped toward her, forcing her backward. “I won’t tolerate anyone in my life handing me an ultimatum.”

Her hand clutched around her throat, and tears pebbled on her lower lashes. “Y-you don’t mean that.”

I raised a brow. “Have I ever not followed through?”

A tear dribbled down her cheek.

I cocked my head to the side, unfazed. “Test me, see how fast I cancel it all.”