If she were younger or prettier, Kira would have been worried, but the sixty-year-old woman didn’t pose a threat to her position. But it made her wonder if Maxim was being faithful on his trip, or, like most mafia men, was he visiting his whore? She mentally prepared herself for sharing her husband, but it brought a wave of illness through her. He belonged to her. She wouldn’t tolerate anyone else.
What a weird thought. Maxim doesn’t ‘belong’ to me.And yet the idea lingered in the back of her head.
Kira waved to the property. “Everyone else? How long have they worked here?”
“All new, ma’am. We only moved into this house last week to prepare it for you and Mr. Morozov. I hired everyone here.”
Did that mean her father bought it? Where could she find that information? She doubted the housekeeper would have accurate accounts.
“They are your friends?”
“People I’ve known, yes, ma’am. I hope that is okay.”
Kira nodded as her thoughts drifted. “Are there cameras?”
“Yes, for security purposes.”
“Hire someone to come and replace them all.”
“All?” she stuttered. “Forgive me, I don’t know much about cost, but I imagine that would be extreme.”
“Yes. I want it done as soon as possible.”
Was she exaggerating, imagining her father sitting in his house in Tampa, Florida, watching her now? Kira stared at the house, searching the corners for every camera. She had neverdefied her father. She never needed to. He catered to her every whim. He made it seem like all she wanted was met when really, all his wants became hers. Ever since she was a young girl, she was groomed to be obedient.
Some of Maxim’s accusations had some element of truth. And if she thought long and hard about it, he’d be right about the reason she was in his room last night. It wasn’t because she wanted him. It was because her father ordered a grandchild. She was wrong for it and would have to apologize.
“I would have to get that approved.”
“Approved?” Kira questioned.
“Any large expanse must be brought to Mr. Morozov’s attention.”
Kira never had any restrictions on her wants. It was odd to be told she had to wait. Maxim’s net worth was fifteen million, which was nothing near her family’s, but also not enough to be starving. A few thousand shouldn’t matter. It would have been something she would have communicated to her husband if he hadn’t run off.
“Do I have a spending limit?” The question was odd on her lips, but she had to ask.
“A thousand, ma’am.”
“For the week?”
“For the month. But the flowers you ordered would be taken out of the house fund.”
“Which is?”
“Two thousand a month, ma’am.”
Kira only had her family’s property to compare, but the Morozov Mansion cost two thousand a day in upkeep. Either her new husband was frugal, or he was doing it to limit her. She wasn’t upset with the allowance, though it was an ancient way of living, but not uncommon in the mafia. She was hoping to have a little more freedom. She wanted to turn one of the rooms into alibrary and unpack all her books. Another would be turned into a nursery. She had already chosen the colors, but that thought brought up another.
Did she even want to have children?
It was never asked.
It was always assumed.
Kira sat back and took in the surroundings of the property. It was quiet. There were no longer Luerna’s children running around, or Luerna and her husband fighting in the middle of the night. It was surreal, and a pit of loneliness filled her stomach. She was supposed to be on her honeymoon, and instead, she was covered in dirt.
But she wasn’t going to let it get to her. She was gonna fix everything. Just as soon as her husband decided to come home.
