Page 32 of The Tsar's Obsession
“She?” he encouraged quietly, pulling me in closer, his soft lips at my ear, the aftermath of what he just did to me still buzzing on my skin. “Tell me,” he commanded, but I didn’t want to relaythe message. I didn’t want him to confirm her words and the illusion to break.
I could get away with just one night.
“You don’t want to tell me. Give me five minutes. I’ll come grab you.” Kirill informed me, as if it were a fact, as if I didn’t participate in any decision-making anymore. With one last glance, he stepped away toward the table and motioned for Dmitry to join him somewhere unknown.
But before I could take even a step toward my seat, someone else accosted me. “A dance, Mia?” This wasn’t much of a question, as Jeremy replaced Kirill within an instant, this time accompanied by light jazz music. “Are you enjoying the evening?”
“Yeah, it’s nice. Nice to not be working.” I made mindless conversation, Polina’s words bouncing around my mind.
“Mm-hmm. What’s going on between you and that Russian?” Evidently, Jeremy decided to launch right into it. “There’s a lot of him. He’s everywhere. Here, my work, your work.” His twirl was a little too aggressive. “Is he making you feel uncomfortable?”
Jeremy was smart and well connected, and I always thought he was wise beyond his years, but I was sure even he had no idea how fucking deep I was drowning.
“No. Why would he make me feel uncomfortable?” His eyes settled on mine, angry and frustrated, his usual laid-back, joking attitude gone without a trace.
“Where did you just go?” Jeremy’s sudden change in attitude felt like the last straw. Why was everyone on my ass tonight? Viv, Polina, Jeremy.
“I didn’t go anywhere.” I shrugged but was startled when Jeremy led me further away on the dance floor, where I couldn’t see my table or Kirill anymore.
“No. With him. Where did you go with him? He followed you.” What the fuck was this? Jeremy’s questions were playing with the last nerve I had for him. “You know you shouldn’t get involved with clients, Mia. It’s not good for business.”
At these words, I slowed down and forced us both to stop. Making sure he heard me and saw me clearly, I told him everything that was on my mind. “Why are you questioning me about what I do? It’s none of your business who I spend time with, Jeremy. It’s also not your business to lecture me about what’s good and bad. For me. For my work. For my life.”
I didn’t believe my own words. It was like being around Kirill had stripped me of my need to please others. He did what he wanted; why couldn’t I? Why did I have to conform to all these rules all the time, especially when others stepped over the line?
Jeremy’s cheeks flushed, his expression a little lost, but his grip on me just as tight. “I’m not lecturing you, Mia. You don’t know this man. At all.” He punctuated every word as he restarted the dance. “It’s clear he hasn’t really told you who he is.” I had no idea what the hell that meant, but all this mystery around Kirill was beginning to settle like a heavy weight on my shoulders. “Men like him love to corrupt and ruin. Don’t get caught up in something you can’t handle.”
Those words hit me over the head like a hammer.Men like him.Was there some secret anti-Kirill meeting that I wasn’t aware of? Moreover, why was Jeremy speaking to me like I was some toddler about to get in trouble?
“Are you hearing yourself? Last I checked, I have a dad.” I spat back in annoyance. Jeremy walked into this one. “Why do you even care so much? For the last ten years that you’ve been my stepbrother, you’ve never, not once, shown any care toward me.” This was undeniably true, and we both knew that our relationship was purely transactional.
"That’s not true,” he vehemently denied. “I care about you.” His hand jerked mine, and his eyes gazed down at me. “Just don’t be stupid. Don’t get involved with him. He’s not a good man.”
I was on fire.
Everyone’s unwanted opinions twisted all my own principles, kicked me in the gut, and turned my mind into mush. Everyone, except one man. When I got lost in those greeneyes, when I heard his deep voice, when his skin touched mine, I finally felt calm. Protected. Heard.
And there they were, those green eyes beckoning me like they were some lighthouse and I was lost in a tempestuous sea. Without thinking about my actions, I ripped my hands out of Jeremy’s mid-step and headed in Kirill’s direction, only wanting to be beside him. “Wait, Mia, I didn’t mean— wait!” Jeremy’s last words had no meaning to me.
“You ready to leave, Sunshine?” That tall frame came into view, my legs carrying me to him. That’s what I wanted to hear. He always gave me what I wanted.
“Yes.”
14
Pinky Promise
Kirill
Polinaeyedmewiththe energy of a fucking rattlesnake. Dressed like a slutty Barbie and surrounded by all the opulence of the event, she suddenly presented herself as the Apate of my life. What was she blabbering to Mia?
Fuck this shit. Jeremy, Polina, there were so many that were waiting to rip me down in Mia’s eyes before I even had a chance to capture her heart. It was all still so fragile between us.
“What’s the verdict on the Italians?” I pulled Dmitry aside. Calm and collected as always, he responded with the details.
“They’re not backing down. I met with Luca yesterday, their underboss. He showed up as planned, but their message was clear. They’re not planning to share territory. Their tune has changed drastically since last year, and I still can’t pinpoint the cause.” Hands in his pockets, Dmitry was so casual about this.
I admired that Dmitry was always so focused on one sole thing; he never really cared about anything except money. He only had one God.
