"Who can confirm that?”
“You know I live alone.”
“Right,” my father says, lips curling. “No relationships. No woman to tie down Roman Ivanov.” His eyes narrow. “Pity. I did the same, except your slut mother still managed to try and trap me with you”
I grit my teeth, showing no reaction. None of this is new information. I don’t know why he thinks this is supposed to hurt me.
"The fire started around two. You could’ve left your apartment at any time to drive to Trudovaya.”
"I could have,” I admit. So could anyone else at this table." I fold my arms. "The real question is, why would I risk burning down your property, putting myself at risk, for someone I didn’t even know existed? For a whore.”
"Maybe youdidknow she existed."
"How would I?"
"Maybe you found out."
"Maybe.” I lift one shoulder. “But I’ve seen the girls at your brothel. Let’s just say, none of them put me in the mood.”
Beside me, Alexei grins, quickly hiding it with a cough.
“I wouldn’t touch those sluts either,” my father growls. “That’s beside the point and you fucking know it.”
“I don’t,” I reply, keeping my tone respectful. “All I’m saying is, you need to accept that this girl ran off. For whatever reason.”
“Maybe,” he murmurs, relaxing into his chair, rubbing his chin. “Tell me, Roman. What have you been up to lately?"
"Managing my territory. Business. Dealing with brokers. Same as always. You should know. Your tribute was higher this month than the last.”
"I’ve seen the money. That’s not what I’m asking. I’m curious about your free time. What do you do? What do you plan?”
"Free time?” I chuckle. “I fuck and I sleep. Plans? I don’t know. Seems like you know more about what I’m up to than I do.”
“Funny.” He bares his teeth. “Listen to me, you son of a bitch. If you’re planning something, know this—I am not the one to fuck with.”
I ignore his insults. They mean nothing to me. If anything, I like them. Every word out of his mouth feeds my hatred and confirms exactly why I’m going to kill him the first chance I get.
I push back even more. Not enough to have his mercenaries on me, but enough to sow seeds of doubt about his capabilities.
"If I was planning something, do you think I'd be stupid enough to draw attention to myself by taking somethingimportant to you?” I spread my hands. “That makes no sense, Pakhan."
"With this girl it does," he snaps.
Frustrated breaths ripple around the table. I smile to myself. “Then tell us why,” I insist. “Everyone here wants to know why she’s important enough that you're turning on your own men with nothing to back it up."
"No."
"Then what’s the point of all of this? You're accusing people without proof. We don’t even know why you think it happened.” I glance around the table. “You're wasting everyone's time."
He pushes out of his chair, pounding his on the table. "Watch your mouth and remember who you’re talking to."
This is it.
“If you want to accuse me, do it. If you have proof, show it. Otherwise, I have real work to do. We all do."
The mercenaries move fast. Three rifles and a pistol aim straight at my chest. I don't move or flinch. I look over at my father, fully aware of how this looks to everyone in the room.
"You're going to have me killed? Here? In front of everyone, for saying what every man in this room’s thinking?"
