Dom and Dad were ready to pack me up to leave with them, consequences be damned. But the outrage of Kirill’s family at what he’d done planted a brilliant idea in my head of a way to get back at him.
Gain his family’s sympathy.
Ivan was furious. Irina apologized for her son’s behavior. And Aralina told me she knew where to get itching powder to put in Kirill’s underwear. One wouldn’t believe that despite Aralina’s angelic face, it hid a vindictive she-devil. Her not talking also added to her mystery and caused people to underestimate her. She was fond of gossip rags like theManhattan Tattler.
“We’re leaving.” Kirill clamped my elbow and dragged me from the room. I was able to snatch my purse on the way out. “Wait!” I was in slippers too small for me and Irina’s nightgown too big for me. Thankfully, it was a modest design and not see-through. “My clothes?—”
“I’ll have Sato pick them up.”
“Irina, I’ll return the?—”
Her brows furrowed with concern. “Don’t worry about the nightgown.” She trailed behind us. “Honestly, Kirill. I don’t understand why you’re treating your wife this way.”
He didn’t address his mother until we were at the bottom of the steps. “When I expect my wife to be at home, I expect to find her there when I come home.” He glared at me. “One evening I needed Sato with me, and you go prancing around Manhattan.”
“I’m sorry, but Aralina needed my company.” I spied Ivan heading toward us, so I played up my part of oppressed wife, lowering my eyes to Kirill’s shoes. “I won’t do it again.”
His hand tightened on my elbow.
“What’s going on here?” Ivan boomed. “And why are you dragging your wife out in her nightgown? Wait.” He glanced at Irina. “It’s yours.”
“Stay and have breakfast,” Ivan was addressing me.
I glanced up at Kirill as if asking for permission. He narrowed his eyes. “No. Lucy and I need to have a chat.”
“Does he abuse you?” Ivan asked.
“I’m standing right here,Ivan,” Kirill gritted.
“Fine! Are you abusing your wife? Because pakhan or not, I won’t stand for it.” He glanced at me. “If he is, you should live with us until he learns to be a husband.”
“Like you were before Aralina was born?”
“Kirill!” Irina gasped. “That’s between me and Ivan!”
“I made my point,” her son replied. “My marriage. My problems.”
“I swear Kirill doesn’t mistreat me. Maybe he just missed me last night,” I intervened, not to save Kirill, but to ease his parents’ worry. Even so, I couldn’t resist adding, “I didn’t ask permission to go to the club.” I deserved a best actress award for delivering that line.
Ivan glowered at his son. “Well, you sure look a lot happier when you’re not around my son.”
I internally groaned. Didn’t Ivan realize he just issued a challenge to Kirill? I could see my freedom and flying under the radar crumbling before my very eyes as my husband’s jaw clenched as he stared down at me. I mean that was my entire intent, but it only bothered Kirill when it was spelled out to him.
“Is that so?”
“I know you’re busy…” I offered.
His eyes glinted with retribution. “Not so busy this morning.”Shit.“Let’s go.”
Ivan and Irina protested behind us but there was no question who was in charge here. Kirill ushered me to the back of the SUV and packed me in before getting in beside me. Sato was expressionless as he closed our door. I didn’t know what he thought about Kirill’s insufferable behavior. But I had a part to play. If he expected me to be a nagging wife because he was barely around, he had another thing coming.
When our vehicle pulled out of the driveway, Kirill angled toward me. “Drop the act.”
He was seething. Good.
I controlled my twitchy lips but failed, but I didn’t look at him. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
“The martyr act. Shut it down. It’s irritating as fuck.”
