Page 97 of Velvet Chains
He bows slightly to Ksenia, his hands trembling just a bit as he holds out a leather-bound menu. “Madam Morozov, welcome back. Might I offer you our wine list for this afternoon?”
Ksenia takes the menu, barely glancing at it before handing it back. “The usual for me, Rob. And bring a glass of apple juice for my daughter.”
Rob nods, jotting down her order on his notepad. Then he turns to me, his eyebrows raised in question.
But before I can even open my mouth, Ksenia speaks again. “She’ll have the salmon niçoise salad. Light on the dressing.”
I blink, startled by her presumption. But I don’t dare argue, not with the way Ksenia’s looking at me.
Rob nods, scribbling on his pad. “Very good, madam. And for the young lady?”
Eli looks up from her menu, her face serious. “Can I have the chicken fingers and fries, please? And ketchup!”
Ksenia smiles indulgently at her daughter. “Of course, darling. Whatever you like.”
Rob makes a final note, then backs out of the room with another little bow. I can see the sweat beading on his forehead, the fear in his eyes.
Christ, is this how everyone reacts to Ksenia? Like she’s some kind of mob boss?
I mean, I guess she kind of is.
I take a sip of my water, trying to calm my nerves. But it’s hard to relax when I feel Ksenia’s gaze on me, heavy and assessing.
She picks up her own water glass, swirling the liquid around before taking a delicate sip. Then she sets it down, her fingers tapping against the stem.
“So, Laura,” she says, her voice casual but her eyes sharp. “Tell me. Are you pregnant?”
Chapter 39
Victor
I STARE at the text on my phone, my jaw clenching.
Hey, going to have lunch with Ksenia & Eli. Surprising, right? But yeah, just wanted to let you know…
Blyad. Laura, alone with Ksenia? That’s a fucking disaster waiting to happen.
I haven’t spent nearly enough time with my wife lately. And isn’t that a fucking joke? Calling her my wife, like this whole thing isn’t just a business arrangement.
But then why the hell am I in this car, speeding toward Le Cirque, where I know they’re having lunch? Why is there this knot in my gut, this nagging feeling that I need to be there, need to see her?
I clench my fists, staring out the window without seeing the city blur past. The truth is, I can’t stop thinking about her. Can’t stop picturing those wide, innocent eyes, the way she looks at me like I’m not a complete monster.
And fuck, the way she felt milking my cock with her pussy, all warm, wet, and willing … I’d give anything to be back in that bed, spreading her legs and burying myself inside her until she’s screaming my name.
Der’mo. This is not how it was supposed to go. She’s a means to an end, a way to secure my empire. I’m not supposed to actually give a fuck about her.
But I do. And that scares the shit out of me.
The phone rings, and I answer it.
“Hello to you too, boss,” Misha drawls, his voice dripping with sarcasm. “A little intense, huh? Lunch with the wife and Ksenia. Sounds like a real party.”
“Shut up, Mish,” I growl, feeling my face heat. Fucking Misha, always knowing exactly which buttons to push. “This isn’t about that. It’s about business.”
Misha chuckles, the sound grating on my nerves. “Right, right. Business. Is that what we’re calling it now?”
I clench my jaw, my fingers tightening around the phone. “Did you actually have something important to tell me, or did you just call to bust my balls?”
