RANSOME
“I hate parties,” Baron mumbles as we stand by the bar.
The gala, as usual, is decked to the nines in every glittery, over the top decoration imaginable. It’s a dick measuring contest between the two families, no expense spared, no gaudy statue too over the top. I wish I was exaggerating, but there’s Dom Perignon flowing from a fountain, drop after drop splashing on the floor.
“I love it,” Mav grins. “Don’t you?”
He looks at me and I shake my head. Baron and I are both in black suits, fitted and sleek. Maverick is wearing a shimmery burgundy one because, well, he’s Maverick. All of us are donning masks. Like we don’t already do enough of that in our daily lives. “I’m with Baron on this one.”
“You two are too high-strung. Look around you. Dozens of glittery, done-up women. And we’re all masked, which adds a little mystery to it.”
“I can still tell who every single person is,” I say.
“You’re missing the point. Everyone is feeling allusive tonight. Daring. Sexy. I can’t wait to get my hands on some Chadovich ass. Just to mark my territory, if you feel me?” Maverick laughs and nudges us both before ordering shots.
I don’t care about getting laid. Not by anyone currently here, and certainly not by anyone with the name Chadovich. I hate parties in general, but I have a reserved special hate for these parties. Their purpose is to socialize the Rozanovs and the Chadovichs, something I don’t give a fuck about doing. And this one in particular is set up in lieu of mine and Jenica’s forced marriage. The whole thing is one giant peacock festival, and I’m over it. The only reason I don’t walk out now is because I am expecting Amara.
Though she is almost an hour late.
She might not show up.The thought catches me by surprise. I’m used to getting what I want, especially from my assistant. The fact that she might be feeling cheeky enough to snub me, that she might want to teach me a lesson for yesterday’s treatment—it had not occurred to me. Not until now.
I should have gone there myself. Collected her in person instead of tasking Ivan. Except that it would have required a change of plans, and my plans are ironclad. They never change.
I don’t know if that will still be true after tonight. But I do know one thing for certain.
If she does not show up, she’ll regret it. I’ll make sure of that.
And then she’ll never defy me again.
“I don’t understand,” Maverick goes on as he hands us each a shot. I toss mine without waiting for a cue. I’m going to needmy edges dulled to get through this night. “Why marrying Jenica fucking Chadovich is such a bummer for you. She’s hot, she’s rich, she knows the business. And, if I had to guess, her pussy is as tight as her ass. Which, by the way, looks banger in that dress.”
“I’m not going to marry for convenience,” I repeat like a broken record.
“You are a Romeo,” Baron smiles as my parents approach us.
“There you are,” my dad starts in. “Why are you hiding,syn? Don’t tell me I spent a quarter mil on a party you’re going to sulk at.”
“You look very handsome, Ransome,” my mom says, straightening my tie that doesn’t need straightening.
“I’m not sulking,” I state. “I would just prefer not to be here.”
“Don’t be ridiculous. You are the son of the Rozanovpakhan.Where else would you be?”
Anywhere but here.
“We were just telling our boy Ransome that he needs to get up in there,” Maverick says despite the fact that his voice makes my dad’s eyes bulge with annoyance. “Snag Jenica before someone else makes a move.”
“No one at this party would be stupid enough to make a move on Jenica,” my dad says to Maverick’s face.
“Oh. I didn’t mean me. I just meant?—”
“You look lovely, Aunt Arina.” Baron can read the room, my family specifically, well enough to know Maverick needs to be shut up before my dad or I shut him up.
“Why, thank you, Baron. Are you enjoying yourself?”
“Always.” He smiles. Baron is the heart of the family. He’s blood, but not in line to be thepakhan,so he is accepted but not expected to do much except be loyal. Which he is. Like a labrador.
I take a sip of my drink just as the Chadovichs approach in a line. They half-moon around us, making me square my shoulders and my dad smile tight and Maverick smirk, much the way Tristan is smirking. It’s a silent standoff already and everyone can feel it.
