Total pages in book: 56
Estimated words: 54103 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 271(@200wpm)___ 216(@250wpm)___ 180(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 54103 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 271(@200wpm)___ 216(@250wpm)___ 180(@300wpm)
"Do you have to check that?" she inquires.
"Unfortunately, yes, though I'd prefer not to. Not during..."
"Go on."
"No—"
She presses her hand into my chest. "Go ahead. You don’t need to shield me like some fragile child. I can handle reality."
"I'd rather keep you distanced from mob affairs."
"I'd rather know what you’re doing, so my imagination doesn't conjure up horrific scenarios."
I can’t argue with that logic. I told her I owned her, that I was in charge, because it got us both heated. But when it comes to romance, I refuse to treat her as countless mobsters treat their women. She deserves respect.
Does that make me a hypocrite, multi-layered like she suggested? Or simply human, more nuanced than black and white?
Rising from the bed, I gaze down at her, entangled in the sheets, one breast exposed, her cheeks flushed, her hair disheveled as it fans across the pillows.
"I thought you were checking your phone?" she says breathlessly, still flushed from our intimacy.
"Was I? It's difficult to remember."
She pulls the blanket up, covering her breast. "Better now?"
"No – worse, substantially worse."
She laughs as I cross the room to retrieve my phone. It's a message from Mother. She says she doesn't want to intrude, but she's received a text from Anya Barinov inquiring whether we still plan to attend Viktor's gala tomorrow. I close my eyes, inhaling deeply.
"Is something wrong?"
"I overlooked something," I admit honestly. "I don’t know how it slipped my mind... Damn."
"What, Nico?"
I return to the bed, taking her hand, wishing I could avoid this discussion. "I've agreed to attend a Bratva party with Anya Barinov. She's Viktor's daughter, the leader of Bratva. The alternative was granting Viktor permission to transform the city into a considerably more dangerous place."
"You're attending as her... date?" Sienna questions.
"Technically, for appearance's sake, yes."
"Oh," she murmurs.
"But it means nothing," I insist.
"Does Anya know that?"
I run my fingers through my hair. “I don’t know. I hope so. She's..."
"What?" Sienna snaps. "You repeatedly start, then start as though you think I'm some delicate flower. Well, I'm not, so what is it?"
"She's made several advances toward me over the years. Nothing serious, but both she and Viktor have persistently pushed for an alliance."
"Over the years," Sienna echoes. "We've known each other for a few weeks, while this woman has pursued you for years."
"It doesn’t mean anything," I reassure her.
“Do you mind if I shower?" She stands... with the blanket wrapped around her nakedness.
"Sienna—"
"Please. It's fine. I'll meet you downstairs."
She walks into the en-suite and shuts the door loudly. I remain seated on the bed for several minutes, staring at the door, contemplating joining her. The shower runs. She'll be naked. I won't be able to think clearly, though. However, I doubt she's in an amorous mood at the moment.
I dress and descend to the kitchen, joining my mother.
"I informed Sienna about the party."
"Ah," Mother remarks, blowing across her herbal tea.
"She's not happy."
"Good."
"Good?"
“The fact that she’s not happy means she cares about you. It means my instincts about the two of you were right.”
“This isn’t a game, Mother.”
“You’re right. I’m sorry. But I can’t help being happy for you both.”
“I wouldn’t like to think of her at a party with another man, so I can see why she’s upset.” I sit. “Viktor’s got some nerve, too, throwing this party after sending a pack of Russians after me.”
“We need to exercise some caution,” Mother says. “We don’t know if Viktor had anything to do with this. Perhaps Adrian hired some Russians, hoping to throw you off the scent.”
“Throw me off the scent? If I’d walked into that warehouse, I’d be dead right now.”
“We need to be sure before we take drastic action,” Mother says. After a pause, she murmurs, “Perhaps I’ll see if Sienna wants to attend the gala as my plus one so that she can see for herself that nothing is happening between you and Anya.”
The idea appeals to me, especially after what Sienna said upstairs about wanting me to tell her what’s going on, so she doesn’t have to use her imagination.
My mother must read the concern on my face. “He’s holding the party at The Adolphus Hotel. Even Viktor isn’t stupid enough to start a gunfight there. And, it will be standard mob rules, won’t it? No weapons allowed.”
“True,” I agree.
“I’m sure Sienna would prefer to be with us than sit around here, wondering what’s going on.”
“I’ll ask her.”
“Ask me what?” Sienna walks in, wearing a bathrobe, her hair wrapped in a towel. “I hope you don’t mind.” She pulls at the fabric of the robe.
“Not at all, dear,” Gianna says. “What’s mine is yours.”
“What were you talking about?”
“Mother wanted to ask if you’d like to attend the gala.”
“Is it safe?” Sienna asks.
“I wouldn’t even consider it if it wasn’t,” I tell her. “Keeping you safe is the most important thing.”