I laugh softly despite myself, reaching over to swipe the ketchup off his cheek with a napkin.
“I think I’ll stick with mine, but thanks, baby.”
I take another bite of the short ribs, the tender meat practically melting on my tongue.
Before I can stop myself, the thought slips out. “Where does this cow even come from?”
Elijah giggles, shaking his fry at me like it’s a sword. “Maybe the cow lives here in the snow, Mommy! A snow cow!” His laugh is so loud it turns a couple of heads.
“Not quite,” a voice cuts in, smooth and practiced.
I glance up to find a woman standing at our table, her bright smile wide enough to show perfect teeth that practically glow in the afternoon light. She’s petite—shorter than me by a good margin—and slim, her tailored black uniform emphasizing her straight, angular frame. The gold accents catch the light as she shifts slightly, her blonde hair pulled back so neatly it’s almost severe. The kind of person who looks polished to the point of perfection.
“This is A5-grade Kobe beef,” she continues, folding her hands in front of her. “Imported from Japan. Mr. Kuznetsov spares no expense.”
I stop mid-chew, my fork frozen halfway to my plate. The way she says “Mr. Kuznetsov”—so polished and familiar—sets my teeth on edge. Like she knows him better than I do… better than anyone should.
“Of course he does,” I mutter, swallowing the bite with more effort than necessary.
“I’m Anya,” she says, her tone pleasant, but her gaze flickers over me, landing briefly on Elijah before darting away again. Shedoesn’t even spare him a proper look, like he’s furniture in the background. “I’ll be coordinating your activities for the day.”
“Activities?” I echo, already wary.
“Yes,” she replies with a smile that doesn’t reach her eyes. “Mr. Kuznetsov wanted to ensure your stay was enjoyable. After lunch, you’ll begin with private ski lessons on the north slope. It’s perfect for beginners—safe, scenic, and exclusive.”
“Ski lessons?” Elijah’s face lights up like I just promised him a pony. “Mommy, we get to ski?”
I plaster on a smile for his sake, even as my stomach twists. “That sounds… great.”
Anya’s professional grin sharpens just slightly. “After skiing, there’s an ice sculpting workshop for children in the activity center. They’ll teach him how to create something magical with snow and ice.” Her eyes flick to Elijah, though she still doesn’t quite look at him. “He’ll love it.”
I nod stiffly, my grip tightening around my fork. “Uh-huh.”
“And after that,” she continues, either oblivious to my growing irritation or just enjoying herself too much to stop, “a hot chocolate-tasting by the outdoor fire pits. We’ve flown in specialty chocolates from Switzerland, Belgium, and Ecuador for a truly global experience.”
Elijah bounces in his seat. “Hot chocolate! Mommy, we have to do that!”
“Of course,” I say, my voice tight but steady. What else can I say?
“And lastly,” Anya finishes, her tone light but calculated, “dinner this evening at our Skyview Terrace. Mr. Kuznetsov will be joining you, as well as Mr. Montclair and his family. It’s the perfect way to end the day.”
Dinner with Leonid,andwho the fuck is Montclair? My jaw tightens, and I set my fork down carefully, afraid I’ll snap it in half.
“Wow. That’s… a lot.”
“It’s all been arranged,” Anya replies smoothly, her smile unwavering. She takes a small step back, clearly preparing to turn and leave.
“Hang on a sec,” I snap, my voice booming like a thunderclap, reminding everyone who’s really in charge here.
Anya freezes mid-turn, her head tilting slightly as she looks back at me.
I don’t rush. I spear another bite of meat, chew slowly, and swallow, letting the silence stretch. When I set my fork down, it’s deliberate.
I glance at Elijah. “Go wash your mouth and hands before we leave, baby.”
“Okay, Mommy!” Elijah hops out of his chair and bolts toward the bathroom without hesitation, weaving through the tables with all the grace of a caffeinated squirrel. A few high-end diners glance his way, their expressions somewhere between disapproval and disbelief, but I don’t care. My focus is on Anya.
I stand, adjusting my posture as I move closer to her. Her polished smile flickers for half a second, just enough for me to notice. Good.
