“Overwhelmed.” Kezia nodded. “I could tell.”
Tatyana nodded.
“Is this why you wanted to meet me?” Kezia sipped a glass of red wine. “To apologize for the inconvenience? Or was it something about the Russian?”
Tatyana widened her eyes. “The Russian?”
“I saw Ivan dancing with you. Did he threaten you? If he did, tell Oleg. I know your relationship is still…” Kezia smirked a little bit. “A bit tempestuous, but you have a history. He’ll take care of his brother.”
“Will he?”
Two nights before, Oleg had flown back to Kyiv with Mika. One night before, Tatyana had come to a realization about her situation and her husband.
Hedidtake care of his people. He held a massive empire together with the strength of his will, brilliant political instincts, and the patience of a calculating predator who had survived for over a thousand years.
But he didn’t expect anyone to take care of him. Not even his own wife.
And Tatyana also realized she wasn’t as patient as her mate.
“Ivan Sokholov is a problem.” Tatyana kept things simple for the vampire who had become her somewhat reluctant sister. They had developed a relationship over the past five years, but it was still strained at times. They were very different women.
But they did speak one language in common.
Kezia’s eyes narrowed. “I agree.”
“Ivan is costing us moneyandkeeping our people from traveling where they want.”
Her sister nodded. “If our delivery trucks can’t go into his territory safely, it’s definitely not safe for our caravans.”
Tatyana knew if there was anything Kezia valued more than money for the clan, it was their right to go wherever the hell they wanted.
And Ivan was standing in the way.
Tatyana continued. “Oleg Sokolov is determined to hold his empire together, and the Poshani have no objection to this.”
Kezia spread her hands. “Of course we do not. Oleg is a loyal ally and has been an excellent host for centuries.”
“But his brother.” Tatyana left the thought dangling.
If Kezia picked up the thread of what she was suggesting, she had an ally, and this could work. Kezia was the only option. Radu was the public face of the Poshani, the political player. He could not be involved in any of this.
But Kezia and Tatyana?
“Ivan is an impediment to our region’s stability.” Kezia spoke after a long silence. “Whether Oleg admits this or not.”
“You and I share the same thought, sister.” Tatyana sat back in her booth and allowed Kezia’s mind to wander down paths her own had trod for months, if not years.
Kezia pursed her lips, staring at her glass of wine. “I understand why Oleg must be patient. He already killed his mate—which he needed to do; she was insane—and I know you like to be cagey about it, but I suspect he killed his own daughter.”
Tatyana allowed the corner of her mouth to turn up. “I can neither confirm nor deny?—”
“Yes, yes.” Kezia offered a rueful smile. “It makes me like you more, you know—when you are cagey and secretive. It makes me think you can be trusted to guard my secrets if I need you to hold them.”
“I can.” Tatyana was a professional at keeping secrets these days.
“But this thing with Ivan, Tanya…” Kezia shook her head. “Luana, then Zara, and now their sibling Zasha is dead as well.”
“I agree.” Tatyana nodded solemnly. “They have suffered prominent losses in their region.”
