Page 141 of Ruby Malice

He’s watching Viktoria, his eyes narrowed. And I know that we’re thinking the same thing.

She did this on purpose.

I hesitate for just a fraction of a second. Maybe Kirill will step up and tell Viktoria to clean up after herself. Maybe he’ll take care of the mess himself. But he does neither. Instead, he turns and engages Viktoria’s dad in a conversation, ignoring the chaos altogether.

It’s a model for how I should respond, as well.

Don’t take the bait.

“I’ll get some towels from the kitchen,” I grit out.

“Don’t you think the broken dish should be cleared away first?” Viktoria interrupts. “I’d hate for anyone to cut themselves on the shards.”

Yes, what a shame it would be if one of those pieces jammed under each of her fingernails. What a tragedy. I’d be utterly devastated.

With a smile plastered on my face, I move around the table and kneel down on the floor between Kirill’s and Viktoria’s chairs. This close, I can feel the heat rolling off of Kirill’s leg. I can smell his woodsy cologne.

And I can perfectly hear the words Viktoria mutters under her breath.

“I’m sure you’re more than comfortable on your knees,” she hisses. “Never forget where you belong, slut.”

Arguments and insults rise up in my mind.I have to defend myself. I can’t let Viktoria talk to me this way and get away with it.

Except Icanlet her talk to me this way. I don’t have to defend myself.

The notion of shutting my mouth and letting her disrespect me is an uncomfortable one, but nothing I say is going to change Viktoria’s mind. All it will do is cause a scene in the middle of Kirill’s dinner party. And getting a jab or two at Viktoria isn’t worth the possibility that someone at this party will make me “disappear.”

So I quietly pick up the pieces of the plate and stand up. “I’ll come back with a vacuum to clear the smaller pieces away.”

“A vacuum is familiar territory for you, isn’t it?” Viktoria looks to her father. “Rayne is actually on the maid staff here. That’s her day job.”

“Is that so?” her dad asks, turning to me. I think I overheard that his name is Leonid. “Kirill is really putting you to work, then, having you waitress on top of all your other duties. Hopefully, he’s not riding you too hard.”

Despite my best efforts, my face blushes a deep red. Viktoria’s smile sharpens. I’m sure this is going better than she ever could have imagined.

“I’ll be back with that vacuum,” I repeat. “Please be careful about the glass bits until I get back.”

I turn around and race back to the kitchen. The moment I’m through the doors, I let out the whimper building inside of me.

“Based on that sound, I’m thinking you might be really upset with me?” Natalia is standing just next to the swinging doors wearing an apologetic wince.

“I’m not thrilled,” I admit.

“Sorry. But you seemed distracted. I wanted to help, you know? Toss you in the deep end. I was trying to be a good friend.”

“If you’re really a good friend, you’ll go back out there and make the scene I wanted to. Maybe step on Viktoria’s toe and spill gravy down her cleavage.”

“Viktoria being a bitch?” she asks quietly.

“She’s being herself. So yeah, she is.”

Natalia snorts. “Do you want to switch back? I don’t mind putting up with that snippy little beeyotch.”

“Absolutely yes, I want to switch. But…” I drop my chin, releasing another groan. “If I slink away now, she’ll feel like she won.”

“Won what? This isn’t a competition.”

“Of course, it is,” I say. “Everything with her is a competition. The prize is my dignity and self-respect. So I have to go back out there and show her she didn’t get to me.”

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