“Are we done here?” she finally says, barely above a whisper, and causing me to descend back to reality.
“For now.”
She steps back, and I let her. She straightens her T-shirt like it matters and looks down at her sweatpants like she just remembered she’s wearing them in front of me.
I could say something cruel, something mocking, but I don’t because she looks beautiful.
So, instead, I move behind my desk, picking up my phone like she doesn’t affect me more than anyone ever has.
“Tell your grandmother she’ll be taken care of,” I say, not looking up. “Private nurses. Better facility. Whatever she needs.”
“I’m not telling her anything,” she sharply retorts. “She stays where she is. You just front the bill.”
I nod. “Done.”
“And my father?”
Mindlessly, I squeeze my phone tighter because I don’t understand why she cares. He doesn’t give a shit about her. Hesoldher to me.
And I’m not exactly Prince Charming.
“And your father,” I repeat, my voice flat. “Will remain breathing until you give me a reason otherwise.” Her knuckles whiten as her fingers ball into fists. “Have a good rest of your day, Sienna.”
She doesn’t reply when I dismiss her. She just leaves, quietly, but I don’t miss the tension in her spine before the door slams closed with extra emphasis on how pissed she really is and regretting the price she’s agreed to pay.
Good.
Regret is the root of obedience.
Letting out a slow, steady breath, I ran a hand through my hair. My pants are still half-askew. I fix them, button up, and straighten my cuffs.
Then I grab my phone again and text Artem.
BENEDIKT:She agreed.
ARTEM:Lucky us.
BENEDIKT:Let her dad go with a warning that, if he so much as speaks to her in any form, he’ll be dead for real this time. He’s already past his expiration date.
ARTEM:This is a bad idea, Ben.
BENEDIKT:Then I’ll handle the consequences.
ARTEM:Are you sure this is the right way?
I stare at the screen.
The right way?
There’s norightin this business. Only survival.
And I’ll be damned if I let Nikolai take what I’ve spent years carving out for myself. Not even if heisthe favorite. Not even if my father hands him the fucking keys.
Sienna Volkov might ruin me.
But she’s also going to make me king.
2
