Page 227 of Bratva Jewels Box Set
My hands fist under the table. No, she can’t want him. This isn’t right. Then she looks away from Dmitri and directly at me. There’s no flicker of recognition in those emerald eyes—nothing—and she turns her attention to Grace and gives her a sweet smile before turning back to Dmitri.
“Let me introduce you to everyone, sweetheart,” Dmitri coos.
Deep breaths in, deep breaths out,I chant in my head, trying not to murder Dmitri.
“I’m actually blessed to have my own jewel. This is Emerald.” He looks at the other men at the table, who all nod and smile at him, wishing they were in our shoes, even though they have beautiful women on their arms. They’re used to getting what they want when they want. They’re not used to the word no and tonight they are looking at both Grace and Elena with want in their eyes.
“She’s mine,” Dmitri states.
“It is a pleasure to meet you all,” Elena says confidently.
How can she ignore me?
“I cannot believe we have been graced with two jewels at our table,” Igor Ivanov, an arms dealer, says.
I don’t like the way he’s looking at Grace. I know he’s thinking of a way to get me to share, but it will be a cold day in hell before he touches a hair on her head. I feel Grace’s hand under the table, squeezing my leg in support.
“And like Maxim, I don’t like sharing,” Dmitri adds, warning Igor, who laughs. “Unless Maxim is willing to swap for the night?”
“Or maybe together,” Grace says, shocking Dmitri and me.
“Really, now?” Dmitri looks very interested indeed.
I turn and look at Grace. What is she playing at?
“It’s up to my master what he would like me to do. I follow his
rules.” She gives me a wide smile before turning back to Elena and looking at her.
Elena nods as if they have an agreement.
“Maybe this is something we should talk about in private,” I say, not liking the interest our conversation is creating at the table. I also need to work out what Grace’s plan is.
“Good idea, Maxim,” Dmitri says, his attitude changing at the thought of maybe having Grace again.
It will be a cold day in hell before I let him touch her.
“Eat up, sweetheart.” He points to Elena’s entree, and she does as she is told.
The table continues its small talk around us, but I can’t keep my eyes from Elena. I can’t believe she is so close, yet so far.
“I’m just going to freshen up in the lady’s room,” Grace whispers to me as our entree bowls are cleared. “It’s going to be okay.” She kisses my cheek.
I nod, distracted by my sister.
“I might join you,” Elena says to Grace, giving Dmitri a kiss on the cheek.
I watch as they make their way through the crowd to the toilets.
I’m not sure if leaving Grace alone with Elena was a smart or stupid decision.
“Guess the saying is true, women can’t go to the bathroom by themselves.” Dmitri laughs, and the table joins in, except for me.
“Can you please excuse us, ladies? Maybe you all need to powder your noses as well?” Igor says to his wife. “We have some business to discuss.”
We watch as the wives do as they are told.
“Now, how much do I have to pay to have a taste of your jewels?” Igor asks after the wives leave.
