“No,” Mikhail said.“I have a journey I wish to travel, and it doesn’t include rejoining the Bratva.I disagree with your practices.My staff works for a fair wage.They give their loyalty because they respect me.That regard will die if I change directions.”
Smirnoff sighed heavily.“I thought you might say that.”
“I don’t see any advantages to me,” Mikhail said smoothly.Calmly.
“What if I sweetened the pot and offered you my daughter?If you married her, you would gain a helpmate who understands the life and would offer loyalty and beauty.She’s a virgin.”
“I already have a wife.”
Silence fell yet again, and Edwina guessed there was shock too.
“Who?Is this recent?”Smirnoff didn’t wait for a reply.“It doesn’t matter.No marriage is forever.Easy to remedy.”
Every muscle in Edwina’s body clenched.His words had been as casual as a man swatting a fly.He’d get rid of her to clear the path for his daughter.
“Thank you for the great honor, but I find my current wife entirely to my liking,” Mikhail said.“I would be extremely unhappy if anything happened to her.”
No mistaking that tone for anything but dangerous.A warm sensation whooshed through her chest and encased her heart.
“When did you marry?Why the secrecy?Your grandfather didn’t mention you’d wed.”
“It’s recent, and I haven’t had time to introduce my wife to my friends.I find I’m selfish and want to keep her to myself.”
“As I say, your grandfather never mentioned a marriage.Where were you wed?”
“If that’s all you need to discuss, I’ll leave.”
Edwina drank a mouthful of tea and rose, winding between the tables.She ignored the suggestive gazes of Smirnoff’s men and approached the counter.“I’d like to pay my bill, please.”It was best that she left before Smirnoff so he and his men didn’t realize she was with Mikhail.While she might miss some of the conversation, she was confident Mikhail would keep her in the loop.
Luckily, Mikhail had given her cash earlier, and she pulled out the purse she’d borrowed from the housekeeper.“Thank you,” she said on accepting the change.
One of Smirnoff’s men stood and approached her, his intent visible on his handsome face.One of the remaining men said something, but his friend ignored him and continued toward her.Edwina headed for the door, but the man grasped her upper arm and dragged her to a halt.
Easy to deal with.Edwina let him drag her closer and raised her knee with a quick jab.The man let out a pained croak and released her as he folded in on himself.Edwina swept past and out the front door before his friends blinked and Mr.Gropey recovered enough to exact punishment.She didn’t look back and didn’t make the mistake of heading straight for Mikhail’s vehicle.Instead, she skirted the perimeter of the teashop and walked around the corner, where she waited and watched for any suspicious behavior.
Her pulse raced, but she was unhurt and hadn’t caused enough of a stir to garner attention from Smirnoff or Mikhail.A slow grin spread across her face because she’d dropped the guy, all thanks to Isabella’s self-defense training.She wasn’t stupid enough to think a second time would go the same way, but she’d done well and couldn’t wait to tell Suzie.
14
Mikhailheardthekerfuffle—thepained groan and the resulting sniggers.Nothing shifted in his expression, but his feline perked his ears and gave a growl that echoed through Mikhail’s mind.If someone had hurt her, he wouldn’t be responsible for his actions.
He immediately cast out every sense but couldn’t discern if Edwina was in danger.No, she would’ve shouted, screamed, or raised the alarm if she hit trouble.The front door opened and closed.When no further sounds disturbed the peace, he shifted his focus back to Smirnoff.
“You have said nothing to make me change my mind.While I’m honored, I decline.”
Smirnoff contemplated Mikhail but didn’t reveal his thoughts apart from the faint widening of his eyes.Surprise?Surely Smirnoff hadn’t thought he’d jump at his offer.Hadn’t the man done his research?Had he been arrogant enough to expect Mikhail to jump when told or at least ask how high?
“Your grandfather told me you’d change your mind.”Banked anger simmered in Smirnoff now, a hint of the ego that made him God in his world.
“My grandfather is not the boss of me.I thought everyone understood that.”
Smirnoff’s lips twisted.“I must insist.Accept my offer or face the consequences.”
Mikhail silently fought his agitated feline and kept his mouth shut to conceal his canines.He could’ve taken out Smirnoff before his men did a thing, but he hadn’t because that would leave a power vacuum, and the city’s residents would feel resulting ripples for months.“Are you trying to blackmail me?”
“If you don’t take over the business, I will make it my mission to take out this mysterious wife of yours—the one no one has seen.And once I’ve done that, I’ll start with your family.”His voice grew harder, his temper riding him now.“You will take over from me.You have six months to learn the ropes and exert control.”
Alarm rushed through Mikhail.He hadn’t seen this coming, and he should’ve.De-escalate.His mind worked at warp speed while he worked out the best way to wriggle free of the impending trap and keep everyone safe.
