"She's busy," I say curtly, my tone making it clear the subject is closed.
"Busy with what?" He's still watching me too carefully.
"That's none of your concern."
Carlo deals the cards. "Let's play, gentlemen. That's what we're here for."
We settle into the familiar rhythm of the game. This is what I'm good at—the cold calculation, the careful analysis, the ability to keep emotion out of decision-making.
Instead, I'm thinking about Liana. About her empty spot in my closet, like a missing tooth my tongue can't stop probing. About the silence from her phone that's louder than any of her chatter.
"You're distracted," Dmitri observes after I fold what should have been a winning hand, leaving money on the table I could have easily taken.
"I'm fine." The lie tastes bitter.
"You're thinking about her," Alexei says with certainty. "The girl."
"She's not a girl. She's my soon-to-be wife."
"Not yet she's not." Dmitri grins at me like we're sharing a joke. "You still have what, three weeks until the wedding? Anything could happen in three weeks."
"Nothing's going to happen." I pick up my cards, trying to focus on them instead of his knowing smirk.
"No?" Alexei leans forward, his elbows on the table. "You seem tense, my friend. Trouble in paradise?"
"There's no trouble." Another lie, and we both know it.
"Then where is she?" He's watching me too carefully, the way a predator watches prey. "Usually women like that—beautiful, young, eager to please—they're attached to their men. Can't stay away, always need to be close. But yours? She's not here tonight."
"She's busy," I repeat, the words automatic now.
"With what?" He won't let it go, pushing at this weak spot he's identified.
"Her charity work. Her family. Her life." I can hear the irritation creeping into my voice now. "She doesn't need to be by my side every single second."
"Of course not." Alexei picks up his cards, examining them. "But I've been thinking about her since last week."
My hand tightens on my cards, crumpling them slightly. "Have you now."
"Since she was here. That dress she wore." He looks up, meeting my eyes. "The way she sat in your lap. She's very beautiful, your Liana. A woman like that is fire and enjoyable to tame."
"Watch yourself." The words come out low and dangerous.
"I'm just making an observation about an attractive woman."
"Observe something else."
"Touchy." Dmitri exchanges a meaningful glance with his brother across the table. "He's very possessive of the girl he's not even married to yet."
"I'm protective," I correct, though the distinction feels meaningless even as I make it. "There's a difference."
"Is there?" Alexei sets down his cards, giving me his full attention. "Because from where I'm sitting, it sounds like you're not entirely sure she's yours."
"She's mine." The certainty in my voice surprises even me.
"For three more weeks, you're just engaged. Only then she becomes your wife." He smiles, and there's something predatory in it. "But right now? She's just your fiancée. And if things don't work out between you..." He shrugs, the gesture deliberately casual. "I'd be very interested in pursuing her myself."
The temperature in the room seems to drop ten degrees. I can feel the other players shifting uncomfortably, sensing the danger in the air.
