But I decided to stalk towards the study door when Emilia excused herself for a minute.
“He’s been playing dirty for way too long,” I heard Roman say.
I took another step and found out the door wasn’t even shut.
“Marco has nobody’s interest at heart. Not the Bratva. Not even his kids. He’s all for himself,” Mikhail answered.
My dad?
“On all accounts, he’s a betrayer,” Viktor’s voice sounded.
A shadow moved, and I was about to turn around when a hand grabbed my wrist.
I’m in trouble.
I opened my eyes, which I’d screwed shut in fright, and found myself looking at burgundy trousers. Of course, it was Mikhail.
I’m not even halfway done with my plan. It wasn’t supposed to end like this. He’ll just kick me out and-
“Careful, little wife,” he warned, his voice low. “You keep watching me that way, I’ll think you’re falling in love.”
I looked up at him. He clearly had no wish to punish me for trespassing or anything. It made my heart clench.
“I was just wandering,” I explained. “I’ll go now. Emilia will be looking for me.”
He nodded, and I turned around, not daring to look back.
Right there and then, a realization flashed in front of my face. I had to be more careful. If not, he’d be on to me.
Chapter Ten
Mikhail’s POV
I looked at the stretch of the glittering skyline through the glass. As always, it was a sight to behold. Yet, tonight, my mind wasn't here.
Cortez's voice cut through the haze. "The new route is clear. We move the shipment through Veracruz, then dock in Miami. You'll get your share within 48 hours."
Rami leaned forward, grinning like a snake. "Assuming the police don't get curious again."
My jaw flexed. "They won't." I sat back, with a cigarette between my fingers, watching the smoke curl toward the ceiling. My tone was calm.
Rami chuckled. "You've got a wife now, Mikhail. Maybe she'll convince you to retire. Grow roses instead of running guns, huh?"
Cortez laughed. "Wives can be distractions, dangerous ones."
My eyes lifted, cold and still. "Mine isn't a distraction."
They stopped laughing. My voice didn't rise, but the warning in it was enough to silence both men. I crushed the cigarette in the ashtray and stood.
"Keep the shipment clean," I said. "No mistakes, no noise."
They nodded as they stood and left the office. The door clicked shut, and silence followed.
I turned toward the window again, and my reflection stared back in a sharp suit. But behind that image, I saw her. The way she'd looked this morning when I left was calm, too calm. The smile she'd given me wasn't love, but it was a riddle.
Then a knock broke the quiet, and Dimitri stepped in. He was clearly nervous.
"Boss," he greeted. "News from the docks. The shipment to Mexico. There was trouble."
