“Exactly,” Nikolai chimes in, the picture of charming arrogance as he takes the empty chair directly across from Sienna. “Besides, I’d like to get to know the woman who’s willing to sign her life away to my dear little brother.”
I don’t miss the way his eyes linger on her, assessing, curious, and far too interested. It’s not the leering kind of attention, not yet, but it’s the kind that takes inventory.
The kind that makes me want to put him through the wall.
Sienna shifts slightly in her seat, polite but cautious, offering him a small smile. She doesn’t know him yet. She doesn’t know what he’s capable of.
“I’m sure she has better things to do than answer your questions,” I say, my tone flat.
Nikolai leans back, spreading his arms lazily over the chair. “Oh, I doubt that. Tell me, Sienna, how did you two meet?”
My father signals for the first course to be brought in, servants appearing with plates I have no appetite for. I glance at the door. Every minute I sit here is a minute wasted—time I should be using to set Plan B in motion.
Plan B has teeth.
Plan B is offshore, clean, and in my control. Something I can sink into if the key to my father’s kingdom slips through my fingers, which it will if he has his way.
I’m not stupid. I’ve never been stupid. I’ve been ready for this outcome since the day I understood how deep his loyalty to Nikolai runs.
But right now, I’m stuck at this table, watching my brother’s curiosity coil tighter around Sienna with every passing second.
“She brought me cake,” I answer for her, because I’m done with his little fishing expedition. “We hit it off.”
Nikolai grins like he’s just been handed ammunition. “Cake? That’s how you landed him?” He laughs low, shaking his head. “I need to hear more of this.”
“You don’t,” I reply.
Ivan chuckles under his breath, clearly entertained by the tension sparking across the table. “Let the woman speak, Benedikt. It’s rude to interrupt.”
It takes everything in me not to push my chair back and walk out. I want distance and space to think. I want to start calling my people overseas and begin moving the first pieces into place.
The longer I sit here, the more I feel the walls closing in, and that’s not a feeling I tolerate well.
But walking out now, in front of my father and my brother, would be blood in the water. And I’ve already given them enough to chew on.
So I pick up my fork, force my hand steady, and pretend like I’m not already planning exactly how to burn this entire table down if I have to.
8
Sienna
The mirror above the bathroom sink looks like it’s been here since the house was built. Heavy gold frame, featuring intricate floral etchings on the corners, in spotless condition and reeking of money.
I blot my lipstick even though there’s nothing wrong with it, stalling for a few extra seconds of peace. I needed to get away from that table, away from the testosterone and tension and whatever the hell passes for small talk in this family.
Ben was tense and irritated the whole time. I’m not sure if he’s upset with me, his father and brother, or both, but I needed some me time that doesn’t have malice and grit grounded out in every syllable that was passed around the table.
Ben doesn’t like them. And far be it for me to ask why, because I don’t want to know. The last thing I need with everything going on is his family drama when I already have enough of my own being a new addition to this weird and untrustworthy dynamic.
When I finally step out, I freeze mid-step to find Nikolai leaning casually against the wall outside the restroom with his arms folded. His dark hair is a little mussed, his tie slightly loosened, and he looks at me with an expression that’s halfway between amused and curious.
Sorry,” I say automatically. “I didn’t know there was a line.”
He gives a short, low laugh. “There isn’t. I just needed a break from all the family fun.”
Right.
I’m silent for a moment, unsure what to say. I don’t know anything about him, other than that he irritates Ben. Compared to Ivan’s intense and Ben’s brooding presence, Nikolai seems like he’s the most down-to-earth one.
