But I didn’t want anyone to think I was weak either.
Torn, I stared at Stan’s back.
“Which part stole your breath? I can’t help but notice that you’re wearing an engagement ring…”
“I’m not bloodthirsty!”
He shrugged, and it was effortless and casual and all things annoying. “It’s good for a man’s enemies to know that his woman is not a burden for him to carry, but a partner in all things. Strength begets strength.”
I gritted my teeth. “A woman isn’t a burden if she can’t kill to defend herself.”
“Women and childrenareburdens in our life.” He held up a hand when I started to argue. “They’re a weakness. Our Achilles’ heels. We want them to be safe, we’ll kill to protect them, but one wrong move, one man trusted undeservedly, and that’s what it takes for a house of cards to come tumbling down… as you know more than most.”
Mind racing, I tried to ignore the dull rush in my ears. “People know who I am?”
“They will when you go public.” Another pat to my fingers. “Don’t worry. He’ll keep you safe.”
My throat bobbed. “He should have told me.”
“Some things have to happen whether a man’s partner wants him to do it or not.” Dmitri turned to me. “Can you honestly say that you’d like the world to perceive you as weak? To think that you can be captured?—”
“Like being kidnapped was my fault?!” I spat.
“—a vulnerability to be exploited and to be held over his head?”
I closed my eyes. “No.”
“Well, then.”
“Why have you told me this?”
“Because Sofia is about to bombard you with questions, and she will be graphic and won’t understand because in our world what you are ashamed of, she sees as a strength. And because,” he continued with a simple hitch of his shoulder, “she is fond of your Custanzu. Hedidsave her. I would like us to be friends.”
“Goddammit to hell!” Stan roared.
Dmitri chortled as I stuttered to a halt. “Ah, I see he’s met our other guests.”
I froze.
“Taube, what the fuck are you doing here?!”
FORTY-FOUR
STAN
Taube had to be the most exasperating woman on God’s green earth—and Rory was my sister, Star my friend, and Kitty my soul mate. She and she alone was the reason I’d probably have to start taking Vangelin—especially if she continued to sit there, stirring her coffee over and over.
Every time, she caught the porcelain with the spoon so it ‘sang.’
Every. Fucking. Time.
And her smile?
God help me.
“You started haunting people as a side gig?” I sneered.
Sofia, a surprisingly touchy-feely little thing for a Russian heiress, tugged on my arm. “She’s my friend. We grew close after… everything.”
