Chapter 16 - “Then Choose Me”
Vera did not answer immediately.
She made Nikolai wait.
Partly because the decision mattered.
Partly because the man desperately needed practice not getting everything instantly.
Three days passed.
Adrian remained in federal custody.
Helian executives began turning on one another.
The estate returned to something resembling normal life.
Vera returned to the greenhouse.
Nikolai returned to finding reasons to appear there.
On the third afternoon he arrived holding paperwork.
Vera looked suspiciously at it.
“What now?”
“A revised employment agreement.”
“You are giving me a raise?”
“Yes.”
She took it.
The amount made her blink.
“This is ridiculous.”
“You asked for market compensation.”
“What market hires groundskeepers at this salary?”
“Mine.”
“No.”
“You are refusing a raise?”
“I am refusing whatever guilt-based nonsense this is.”
“It is not guilt.”
“Then what?”
He looked mildly uncomfortable.
“Retention.”
Vera laughed.
“You cannot solve every emotional problem with contracts.”
“I solve many problems with contracts.”
“I noticed.”
She placed the papers on a bench.
“Nikolai.”
“Yes?”
“What happens if I stay?”
His expression became serious.
“You continue working.”
“That is not what I’m asking.”
“I know.”
He looked around the greenhouse.
“I don’t know.”
Vera appreciated the answer.
No promises he could not guarantee.
No fantasy.
Just truth.
“My life is complicated,” he continued.
“That may be the greatest understatement in North America.”
“There may always be risks.”
“I know.”
“I cannot promise I will stop worrying.”
“That would be suspicious.”
“I cannot promise I will never become controlling when frightened.”
“I will correct you.”
“Constantly, apparently.”
“Enthusiastically.”
His mouth curved.
Then he looked at her.
“But I can promise to listen when you say no.”
Vera’s smile disappeared.
That mattered.
“And I can promise you will never be something I own.”
That mattered even more.
The title Adrian had tried to write for them suddenly seemed absurd.
Claimed.
Possessed.
Protected like property.
Vera wanted none of it.
“Nikolai.”
“Yes?”
“I won’t belong to you.”
“I know.”
“I’m serious.”
“So am I.”
She studied him.
“What do you want, then?”
His answer came quietly.
“For you to choose me.”
There was no command.
No certainty.
No billionaire confidence.
Just a man asking.
Vera stepped closer.
“You make terrible first impressions.”
“I have been informed.”
“You planted roses in shade.”
“You have repeated this for three years.”
“You tried to track me.”
“For legitimate reasons.”
“You lied.”
“Withheld.”
She glared.
“Lied.”
“Fine.”
“And you are the most irritating person I have ever worked for.”
“Technically, Dmitri handles payroll.”
“Do not ruin this.”
A real laugh escaped him.
Vera loved the sound.
That realization answered the question.
She placed both hands lightly against his chest.
Nikolai became still.
“I choose you.”
His expression changed.
All the control disappeared for one brief second.
“Are you certain?”
“Yes.”
“You can reconsider.”
“Nikolai.”
“Yes?”
“Stop talking.”
He kissed her.
Gently.
No urgency.
No possession.
A question answered by another question.
Vera leaned closer.
Outside, winter rain tapped lightly against the greenhouse glass.
Inside, roses bloomed where they should not have been able to survive.
When they separated, Nikolai rested his forehead against hers.
“This is an exceptionally inconvenient time to mention something.”
Vera narrowed her eyes.
“What?”
“Dmitri has been standing outside for approximately thirty seconds.”
She turned.
Through the glass, Dmitri immediately looked at the sky.
Vera opened the door.
“Do you need something?”
“Not anymore.”
“Dmitri.”
He smiled.
“Federal investigators found Adrian’s private server.”
Nikolai stepped beside her.
“What’s on it?”
“Everything.”
Payments.
Surveillance logs.
Blackmail.
Shell companies.
Evidence connecting Helian operations across several states and European ports.
More importantly, one document contained the names of officials who had protected Adrian.
The network was collapsing.
But the server also contained another folder.
Vera Sullivan.
Three hundred seventeen files.
Photographs.
Schedules.
Reports.
A full year of watching.
Vera expected fear.
Instead she felt anger.
Then something surprising.
Relief.
The watcher had been caught.
The secret room finally had a door.
Nikolai looked at her.
“You don’t need to see it.”
She raised an eyebrow.
He corrected himself.
“You decide whether you want to see it.”
Progress.
Vera smiled.
“No.”
“No?”
“I have roses to prune.”
Dmitri laughed.
Nikolai stared at her.
“You don’t want to know?”
“I already know the important part.”
“What is that?”
She looked at Nikolai.
“I’m still here.”
And for the first time, he seemed to believe that she might stay not because he could protect her, not because he had money, and not because danger had forced them together.
May you like
She stayed because she had seen the man behind the walls.
And chosen him anyway.
