Page 59 of Vendetta Crown

"Is that how someone apologizes to the pakhan of pakhans?" Dmitri calls out, his voice cutting through the silence.

"No." Alexei's face reddens. "No, it isn't."

With visible reluctance, he lowers himself to his knees before me. I know what must happen before it happens.

I extend my hand, the heavy gold band of my wedding ring gleaming under the hazy light.

Alexei takes it, pressing his lips against the metal.

"I apologize for my disrespect, Ruslan Vitalyevich," he says, voice stripped of all humor. "It will not happen again."

"Good, now rise," I command, and he does, no longer daring to glance toward the window.

* * *

The black sedanmoves through the roads, carrying us away from Voronin's estate. Aurora sits beside me, her shoulder pressed against mine despite the spacious backseat.

The adrenaline of the meeting is slowly ebbing away, replaced by the warm satisfaction of success.

"You did it," Aurora says, her fingers finding mine. "You actually brought them all to the table."

I smile, her praise washing over me. "I couldn't have done it without you,zarechka. Your insight gave me the cover I needed."

"My insight?" She tilts her head, hazel eyes catching the passing streetlights. "All I did was point out the obvious."

"And yet no-one else thought of it." I bring her hand to my lips. "You see things others miss, Aurora. It's your greatest gift."

She nestles closer. "Speaking of seeing things, I noticed Alexei through the window. Then suddenly he was on his knees. What happened?"

A laugh escapes me. "I told him that I'd blind and castrate him if I ever catch him ogling you again."

Aurora's laughter fills the car, bright and unrestrained. "Did you really?"

"And I meant every word."

"Poor Alexei," she says with mock sympathy. "But I doubt anyone would notice if you removed his balls. They've probably shriveled to raisins by now."

I can't help but laugh with her.

When our laughter subsides, I ask. "How was your time with the wives?"

"Night and day difference once their husbands weren't hovering." Aurora looks away briefly. "They finally had a chance to voice their opinions, stories, and complaints." She lowers her voice to a whisper. "Did you know Eleonora keeps a diary of all Alexei's affairs?"

"Somehow that doesn't surprise me." I take her hand. "And what did they think of you?"

"At first, suspicious. I was the outsider who married into power. But when Eleonora vouched for me, and after I told them about our plan with the documentary." Her smile widens. "I think I've made some valuable allies today."

"That's my girl," I murmur against her hair.

"We'll need to figure out another meeting," Aurora says, tracing a pattern on my thigh. "This is just the first meeting of many."

"Yes." I nod, circling my thumb over her knuckles. "But I doubt Alexei will be eager to host us again."

A smirk curves across Aurora's lips. "Actually, I was talking with Anastasia Svarikov about that."

"Were you now?" I raise an eyebrow, curious what new scheme my wife has concocted.

"She had an interesting proposition." Aurora shifts to face me fully. "Since the documentary is still going through the casting process, we could invite the wives to audition for the dramatization roles."

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