Page 140 of Ruby Malice

My mother’s affair blew up my entire family. But the Kozlovs flash their infidelities around for everyone to see.

This really is a different world.

“I guess so,” Natalia says. “Messy, to say the least. But that’s not as interesting to me as the weirdness between Viktoria and Kirill. Are they engaged or not?”

Kirill told me he’d ended things with Viktoria, but maybe he just said that to make me feel better. It’s also possible he doesn’t want it to be public knowledge yet. I’m not sure what I’m allowed to say.

“I have no idea. I’m just interested in not spilling anything on anybody.”

Natalia’s expression is so biting that the words die on my lips. “Don’t give me that shit. You’re out there looking like a sad, lost puppy dog. If you are trying to play hard to get, you need to try a whole hell of a lot harder. Your crush on Kirill is drawing a lot of attention.”

I want to deny it, but I don’t have the energy. I just slump forward, already weary beyond belief.

“Buck up, kiddo,” she says, pinching my elbow. “There’s still plenty of time to turn this ship around.”

“What ship?”

Natalia moves past me and grabs two bread baskets. She hands one to me and then pushes me towards the swinging doors.

“This relationship,” she says with glee. “You can still play this cool.”

I snort. “I am not cool.”

“Sure you are,” she says, not at all convinced or convincing. “But first things first: you have to get down there and face him.”

Before I can argue with her, Natalia hurries through the door and claims my section. Leaving me no choice but to take over her section… on the completely opposite end of the table.

Where Kirill and Viktoria are sitting.

I’m seconds away from diving into the kitchen and hiding in the pantry, but then I look over and see Viktoria watching me.

She has on a low-cut green dress that drapes off of her shoulders. Her blonde hair is perfectly curled and coiffed. Without breaking eye contact with me for a second, she leans over and drags her finger across the back of Kirill’s hand.

Shots. Fired.

I lift my chin and march to their end of the table. “More bread,” I announce, affecting as much charm and sweetness into my voice as I can. I slide the bowl to the middle of the table and stand back. “Is there anything else I can help you all with right now?”

I feel Kirill’s proximity like the beginnings of a sunburn. The urge to shield myself from the heat is strong, but I resist. Focusing on the man I can only assume is Viktoria’s dad helps matters somewhat.

His blonde hair is thinning on top, but his mustache is full and bristly. He wraps his arm around the back of his way-too-young date’s chair and smirks at me. “That depends on what you’re offering.”

I suppress a gag. Is he really suggesting what I think he’s suggesting? I can’t be sure, so I smile softly. “I can bring out more rolls or salad. Anything you’d like.”

“You’ve said those words before, haven’t you?Anything you like.” Viktoria sneers. “Rayne will do anything to please the men she is serving.”

Okay, so she is definitely suggesting what I think she’s suggesting. There is no missing that double meaning. But I force myself not to look at Kirill. I don’t need him to protect me or defend me. Especially not from the likes of Viktoria.

“I’m happy to hear any specific requests,” I say, fighting the urge to spill the contents of the table right into Viktoria’s lap. “I’ll do my best to make sure everyone gets what they need.”

Viktoria’s father turns his eyes back to his plate. His fun with me is over, it would seem. Everyone else gradually shifts their focus elsewhere until I’m almost convinced I might have turned invisible after all.

I turn to head back to the kitchen, but before I even take a step, there is a loud crash.

Viktoria presses a hand to her mouth, her eyes wide. “Oops. I made a mess.”

Her plate is shattered on the floor and her glass is laying sideways on the table. A dark stain spreads across the table cloth, wine creeping between plates and soaking through napkins.

Without meaning to, I look to Kirill.

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