I force myself not to sneer before I reply, “What if I don’t want to be known?”
Her expression doesn’t falter. “That’s fine by me, too. I’m sure I could findotherways to show you a good time.”
Her laugh is soft but practiced. It’s the kind of sound meant to reel men in, but it has the opposite effect on me. I find it shrill and unattractive. Or maybe I’m just disgusted by the way the wedding ring on her finger glimmers under the chandelier light.
Loyalty is something we Petrovs take seriously. If you can’t even be loyal to your spouse, then what kind of person are you?
On that, we agree with our Sicilian comrades and their old mafia proverb—never betray your wife, because if you arecapable of betraying a woman who trusts you enough to close her eyes and sleep beside you, then you are not worthy of anyone’s trust.
Though I’m not interested in anything this woman is blatantly selling, I still give her a polite nod. I’m not stupid enough to make any type of scene, especially one that might compromise tonight’s mission.
“I appreciate the offer, but—”
“No buts about it.” She leans closer, the scent of her expensive perfume thick in the air. “You can appreciate it by letting me buy your next drink.”
“It’s an open bar.”
“Never said it had to be here.” She bats her eyelashes at me.
Before I can turn her down, another presence slides in beside me. A slender arm hooks through mine, and the warm, smoky sweetness of black cherry and night-blooming jasmine cleaves through the revolting perfume around me, pulling a steady breath from my lungs.
“Ah, there you are,” Stella says sweetly, her voice honeyed but laced with steel. “I was wondering where you’d wandered off to.” Her smile is radiant enough to disarm, but the piercing green of her eyes is all warning as they land on the woman before us. “Good evening, Kim.”
The socialite’s spine straightens, still smiling, though the lustful haze in her eyes has been replaced with apprehension. “Good evening, Stella. I… um… was just offering to show your friend around. I didn’t realize you two were acquainted.”
“There are entire libraries filled with things you don’t know,” Stella cuts, the faintest curl of amusement in her tone. “But that is neither here nor there. I’ll take it from here.” She then turns her head over her shoulder, pretending to study the crowd. “Careful on your way down these stairs, Kim. Especially on those heels. We wouldn’t want you to trip and damage that prettyface. It would be such a shame since we all know how hard your plastic surgeon worked on it.”
“It’s always a pleasure seeing you, Stella,” Kim retorts with a fake grin.
“Wish I could say the same,” Stella beams at her.
Kim’s smile tightens before she drifts off, heading up the stairs instead, afraid Stella might make good on her threat and push her down.
“For a girl who threatened to cut out my tongue the last time I saw her, you sure were quick to come to my rescue,” I murmur with a low laugh, unable to help myself.
“What can I say? It’s been a dull night.” Stella’s fingers flex against my arm, possessive and unhurried. “Don’t make me regret my one moment of mercy, Kirill.”
“It’s Kill, and I wouldn’t dream of it,” I say, my hand sliding over hers as she guides me down the stairs and then toward the terrace. “Mind you, I never thought to bump into you tonight. I didn’t figure a girl like you would attend these kinds of soirées.”
“It’s a necessary evil, I’m afraid.” She shrugs, uncaring of the eyes now trailing our every move.
“I’ve never understood that phrase. What kind of evil could possibly be necessary?”
“I should ask you,” she shoots back. “I’m sure you’re far more fluent in evil things than I am.”
“Ah,milaya,” I sigh, flashing a wolfish grin to our captive audience. “Something tells me your knowledge on the subject isn’t far behind mine.”
Once we step outside, Stella continues to take the lead and guides us across the terrace. If I thought the ballroom was packed, I’m disappointed to find the terrace isn’t much better.
The early December air bites at my skin, each breath turning to mist, yet the press of bodies keeps the chill at bay. The smellof hard liquor and spilled champagne hangs heavy in the air beneath the city’s hard white lights.
Stella isn’t deterred by the cold either, and just keeps moving, weaving us through the throng with her hand still looping through my arm. Normally, I’d never let anyone steer me like this, but since getting close to the Romano clan is part of the job, I don’t mind one bit that it starts with her.
Once we stop at the shadowed edge of the terrace, somewhere we won’t be seen or heard, Stella immediately releases my arm and folds hers across her chest. That’s when I finally turn to fully face her and take all of her in.
“Bozhe moy,” I murmur, the words slipping out before I can stop them.
Fuck me, but she’s a vision. The last time I saw her, I couldn’t deny she made an impression. But tonight—in that dress—with her hair wild and free… Jesus, she’s breathtaking.
