Page 49 of Tarnished Tyrant (Zhukova Bratva 1)

“Thank God for that.”

I smirk. I’m surprised Belle can say it without combusting.

I knew it would take more than unlimited room service and endless hours of TV to keep a fourteen-year-old locked up in New York City. So I asked my driver, Gora, to agree to take Elise wherever she wanted to go, and then drop her off at Zhukova Incorporated instead.

“I would have been fine,” Elise says. “Iwillbe fine. Zach is really nice.”

Belle snorts. “And you know this because you’ve spent an hour with him?”

“Two hours,” she argues. “I sat with him while he cleaned.”

I frown. Zach. Do I know a Zach?

Belle shakes her head. “Of course. Just my luck. We’re in a hotel that hires twenty-year-old men as maids.”

Shit. Zach is a new hire. A cousin of one of the dishwashers in the kitchen. I don’t usually keep up with the hiring process, but the General Manager called me herself to ask what to do. They hired Zach as a busboy, but he was inappropriate with the customers. I told her to put him on maid duty.

“He’ll quit within the week,” I’d told her.

Apparently, the motherfucker had a little more staying power than that. Not for much longer, though.

“He’s a good guy!” Elise argues.

“He’s way too old for you,” Belle takes a deep breath. “I’m sorry. I know you like him, but he shouldn’t even be talking to you.”

“He’s the only one who will talk to me!”

“What does that mean?”

“It means you’re never around,” Elise snaps. “You’re always working.”

Belle’s shoulders sag. “Look, E, this is a big project. I’m already behind schedule, and—”

“Not just here. At home, too. You wake up early and you get back late. Sue me for trying to find some human companionship.”

Belle turns her head to the side. I catch a glimpse of her jawline. Of the tension she’s holding, her teeth clenched together.

Then, with a concerted effort, she lets it all go.

“I know I’m not around a lot recently, and I’m sorry,” she says. “I’m so glad you’re living with me, but it costs money. I have to work overtime when I can get it to pay for everything. Hopefully, things will calm down soon. But until then, I need you to—”

“Be quiet and stay out of your way?”

“That’s not what I said.”

“It’s what you meant,” she says.

Belle reaches towards her, but Elise pulls away. She sighs and lets her hand fall. “I want you here with me, Elise. I do. I wouldn’t have brought you to live with me if I didn’t. But it’s going to take some adjustment. I just need you to cooperate with me until I can figure it all out, okay?”

Belle and Elise aren’t like any sisters I’ve ever seen. Belle is almost maternal with Elise. And I guess that makes sense. Their mother is a fucking mess, so unless Belle wants Elise to grow up with a narcissistic junkie for a role model, she has no choice but to play Mom.

Still, it’s impressive. Maybe Elise can’t see exactly how impressive it is, but I can.

It takes a lot for a kid to break the cycle of addiction. And Belle is trying to save Elise from herself.

“Come on,” Belle says, saving Elise from having to come up with a response. “Let’s go grab some lunch and then I’ll take you back to the penthouse.”

I turn and walk away before they can see me.

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