Page 155 of Ruby Malice

“You are welcome anytime, Arnov,” I say grimly, adjusting my cuffs.

One day, Sasha may take over for his father and I’ll be forced to deal with him. If he hasn’t learned to show me respect by then, I’ll gladly be done with the entire Lenin line.

But that day is not today.

The Lenins leave, followed by their entourage, and the tension in the room eases slightly. Viktoria and Leonid are standing in front of their own entourage. Leonid’s mistress is off to the side, watching the drama unfold like she’s in a movie theater. She could be holding a bag of popcorn in her hands and I wouldn’t be surprised.

After a second, Leonid claps his hands a couple times. “We had no idea we’d be coming for dinner and a show. What a treat.”

Viktoria smiles, but it’s thin and uninspired.

“Arnov needs to get a handle on his child,” Leonid continues. “Sasha is nowhere near ready for the responsibility that comes along with power. Not like my Viktoria.”

Viktoria lifts her chin, holding herself like she’s regal. In her mind, I’m sure she is.

“Not all of us are built for leadership, though,” he says. “Not the way you are, Kirill.”

“Don’t patronize me at my own party, Leonid.”

He smiles. “What else is family for?”

I don’t miss the not-so-subtle hint in his words. What Sasha said about me trading Viktoria in didn’t sit as well with Leonid as he wants to make it seem. Appearances win out, though. He isn’t going to cause a scene.

Not today, anyway.

I nod and the room starts to break off into smaller groups, all pretending they aren’t paying any attention to me as I turn back to Rayne.

She’s standing near the doors, the silver tray still in her hands. I’m not even positive she’s breathing. She’s standing perfectly still, staring at the room like a deer caught in headlights.

“Rayne.”

The thrum of protectiveness rushes through me again. If Sasha was here, I’d probably clock him in the nose again just for putting that blank expression on Rayne’s face.

I step forward and reach for her arm. “Did he hurt you? What did he—”

“I can take care of myself,” Rayne rasps. She clears her throat and turns to place the tray back on the table. Her hands are shaking.

“He deserved what you did to him. He deserved far more than that, actually.”

“So why did you still feel the need to come over here and act like I belong to you? Because I don’t belong to you,” she insists. “I’m not your property.”

“No, but you do work for me.”

“And how does that make a difference?”

I step forward and lower my voice. “Because if you worked for someone else, they may have let Sasha and his father have you killed to make up for your attack on him.”

Her eyes widen. “Iattackedhim? But he grabbed me and—”

I shrug. “It’s your word against Sasha’s. Since he is from a powerful family and beneficial to my Bratva, I’d be justified in taking his side over yours.”

A flush creeps over her cheeks. It’s better than the pallor she was sporting just a few minutes ago. “You wouldn’t do that.”

“Which, like I said, is why you should feel lucky you work for me instead of someone else.”

Rayne jerks back like she’s been hit. Then she stands tall, pressing her shoulders back. “Thank you ever so much, Kirill. I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to work for you and be assaulted by your high-profile guests. How lucky am I. Truly blessed.”

She bends in a slight, mocking curtsy and then storms off into the kitchen.

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