Bucharest, Romania
“Jodi has a concussion,and Pierre’s knee will likely take months to recover according to his doctor in Warsaw.” Tatyana Vorona, newest terrin of the Poshani people, listed out the injuries with precise intonation in delicately accented Romanian. “The rest of them have bruising on their wrists from the gang who attacked the warehouse.”
Radu, the terrin Oleg had known the longest, kept his eyes narrowed on Oleg. “And you have no idea who these criminals might be?”
“Ivan and I have our suspicions, but I wanted my first priority to be your people and their compensation,” Oleg said smoothly. “Since you were operating as contractors in my territory.”
Tatyana leveled a stare at Oleg that told him she knew exactly what he was doing.
She was stunning—as always—in a deep blue suit that highlighted the color of her eyes. Her hair was pulled back in a sharp twist that made Oleg want to tug on it, and her full lips were pursed in displeasure.
He had an erection just looking at her.
Oleg casually crossed his legs and folded his hands in his lap. “It horrifies me that this kind of violence was visited on your drivers in my own territory. I cannot express my disgust.” He cocked his head toward Tatyana. “You can be sure that I am personally reviewing Ivan’s security protocol, and we will track down these offenders in short order.”
“And we are grateful for that.” Radu clearly felt the tension between his fellow terrin and his guest. “This isn’t a matter to create a rift, my friend. These things happen in the course of business, do they not?”
Oleg turned back to Radu. “I’m relieved to hear you say that. I would never want a misunderstanding to create a fracture in our long and close relationship.”
Tatyana was undeterred. “Then there are the five trucks, which were new-model, temperature-controlled Mercedes that will cost at minimum half a million euros to replace.”
Oleg spread his hands. “A small price to pay to make a friend whole. I will have Bernard transfer the money to your account, or if you prefer, you can send the specifications to my supplierand we will order the vehicles ourselves and make sure they are delivered quickly.”
“No need.” Tatyana snapped a file shut. “I will make sure to place a rush order withoursuppliers and contact Mr. Lazareva when I receive the bill.”
“Whatever you like.” Oleg leaned forward. “In this matter, I am your humble servant, Tatyana Vorona.”
“There’s nothing humble about you,” she said through gritted teeth. “And there never has been.” Then, with a bared fang, she rose, nodding at Radu. “Brother.”
“Terrin Tatyana.” Oleg stood as she did, glad for the suit jacket that covered how aroused he was by her irritation. “Always a pleasure to see you.”
“Humph.”
“Sister, be well.” Radu appeared amused as he rose.
Tatyana left the room, and Oleg couldn’t stop his eyes from falling to the decided sway of her hips as she walked away.
Delicious.
Radu cleared his throat after the door clicked shut. “It’s been five years since she formally rejected your aegis and became terrin, and you still antagonize her? I am aware of your history, but?—”
“How do I antagonize her?” Oleg couldn’t rid the image of Tatyana’s ass from his mind. It had been far too long since he’d seen her in the flesh.
“You seem to antagonize her byexisting.” Radu sat and stretched his legs out.
Oleg shrugged and took his seat across from Radu. “She is a fierce advocate for her people. I cannot blame her for that.”
“Indeed.” Radu narrowed his eyes. “Her loyalties must be to the Poshani first.”
Seeing as Tatyana had been turned by Oleg’s own daughter, a few voices in the Poshani power structure had questioned herpopular election, wondering if she could be tough enough as a defender for their people against a vampire lord as dominant and powerful as Oleg Sokolov.
“No matter the blood tie she had to my daughter,” Oleg said, “I think it is obvious that Tatyana Vorona barely tolerates me.” Oleg chuckled a little bit. “I do not think any Poshani, human or immortal, would doubt her loyalty to your clan.”
“There is no doubt in my own mind.” Radu tapped his finger on the arm of his chair. “I have seen her priorities firsthand.”
In the five years since Tatyana Vorona had become terrin, the Poshani people had thrived financially under the joint leadership of Radu, his sister Kezia, and the new terrin.
Poshani businesses were prosperous, and their reputation for reliability had grown without taking anything away from their discretion when dealing with immortal clients.
