If Mikhail decides he wants my blood, I won’t be able to do much about it. I don’t want to be another thing for Sera to grieve.
But I can’t let her go.
“There’s also the question of who will take over Sergei’s position, crew, businesses…”
“As my father’s son, my loyalty will always be in question to whoever Mikhail promotes.” I run a hand back through my hair. “Well, fuck.”
“I’ve already got something in motion. I just wanted to give you a heads up.”
“Gee, thanks.”
“You’re welcome!” Alex sayscheerfully and hangs up.
“Where’d you go?”
I blink, the room coming back into focus. “My happy place,” I lie. “Why? Did I miss something?”
“A lot of nipple.”
“Damn.” I chuckle, her elbow catches me this time, but she’s grinning.
“What’s so funny?” Anton asks, coming to stand by us.
“Inside joke.”
Anton looks at me before his gaze returns to Sera. I fight the urge to push her behind me. My lips lift again as I imagine what her response to that would be.
“I’ve never worked with a woman before. How does that work?”
“Same as with a man,” Sera says coolly.
“Notquitethe same…” He lets his words trail off suggestively.
“Wow.” Her lip curls. “I thought the French were supposed to be smooth.”
My body turns to granite. If this asshole thinks he’s testing my limits by insulting her, he’s going to find out—in a permanent way—I don’t have any.
Anton’s smile doesn’t reach his eyes. “I apologize. I was just marveling at how well the two of you work together. Ours is a strange business. It makes a difference when you work with people you care about.” His shark-like gaze turns to me. “Don’t you think, Kovalyov?”
He gives Sera a deliberately insulting once over. “And the two of you clearly… care.”
His message lands how he intends. The noise that erupts from my chest isn’t one I recognize. I bump Sera’s back as she steps in between us, and I take a step forward.
“You need to go back to your post. Now!” she snaps, when he squares up to me.
“Anton,” Etienne barks, followed by a string of rapid French.
“Is everything okay?” the photographer’s assistant asks. Only then do I realize we’ve drawn the attention of everyone in the room.
“All good.” Sera answers for both of us, because I’m tracking the French fucker across the room. When he reaches Etienne’s side, he nods as if he’s listening to the lecture he’s getting, but his eyes stay locked on me.
“They don’t share.” Keke calls out from her pose on her knees. One arm shields her breasts, while the fingers of her other hand toy with the necklace. “It’s really annoying.”
Her words make Anton’s eyes dip to Sera. The threat in his expression is impossible for someone like me to miss.
Dani sidles up to us beaming. “That was so fucking hot. You were all…don’t talk to her,” she mimics in a deep voice. “Rawr.”
“Don’t encourage him.” Sera sighs, but her hand rests on my lower back.
