“Too early to tell. Could just be them trying to recover from the losses you dealt them. Could be preparation for something bigger.” Pavel pauses. “Either way, I’ve got eyes on it.”
“Good. Keep me updated.”
“Always.” I can hear the grin in his voice. “Congratulations, by the way. The takeover was clean. Volkovs didn’t know what hit them until it was too late.”
“Don’t celebrate yet. They’ll hit back eventually.”
“Let them try. We’ll be ready.”
I wish I shared his confidence. The Volkovs aren’t the type to accept defeat gracefully. They’ll want blood. The only question is when and how they’ll come for it.
“Anything else I should know?” Pavel asks.
I consider telling him about the marriage. He only knows the basics—that Wallace and Tillman threatened an employee, that I handled the situation. He doesn’t know about the contract clause, the marriage license, or the fact that Kirsten is currently in my living room being dressed by my sisters.
“Nothing urgent,” I say instead. “We’ll talk more at the gathering.”
“Looking forward to it. Alexei’s been asking about you.”
“Alexei’s always asking about something.”
Pavel laughs. “True. I’ll let you go. Stay sharp, brother.”
The line goes dead. I pocket my phone and sit for a moment, processing the information. The Volkovs are moving. Not attacking, not yet, but preparing. Building toward something.
I need to be ready when it comes.
Laughter drifts through the closed door. I rise and make my way back to the living room, curious despite myself.
The scene that greets me is not what I expected.
Anya is sprawled across the sofa, gesturing wildly as she tells some story. Kristina sits in the armchair, her reserved demeanor softened into obvious amusement. And Kirsten—
Kirsten is laughing.
Actually laughing. Her whole face has transformed. The wariness is gone, replaced by genuine mirth as Anya describes what sounds like a fashion show disaster involving a broken heel and a very expensive champagne fountain.
“—and the model just kept walking,” Anya continues breathlessly. “Like nothing happened. Champagne dripping down her dress, glass everywhere, and she hit that final pose like she meant to do it.”
“She didn’t,” Kristina adds. “She cried in the bathroom for twenty minutes after.”
“But in the moment? Flawless. That’s the power of good training.”
Kirsten shakes her head, still smiling. “I can’t imagine having that kind of composure.”
“You’d be surprised what you’re capable of when everyone’s watching.” Anya spots me in the doorway and waves me in. “There you are. We were just telling Kirsten about the time I nearly ruined New York Fashion Week.”
“You didn’t nearly ruin it. You added an unexpected element.”
“That’s the diplomatic way of putting it.”
I lean against the doorframe. “I see you’re all getting along.”
“Your sisters are…” Kirsten trails off, searching for the right word. “Not what I expected.”
“What did you expect?”
“I don’t know. Something more…” She glances at Anya and Kristina. “Serious, I guess. Intimidating.”
