The plan was to meet up with Mrs. Maslak, Irina, and Olga in front of the theater at seven. I’m there a few minutes early and watch the crowds gather. I love the energy of New York, and the theater district is always filled with tourists and locals with a shared interest in the incredible productions put on here. It’s been a while since I’ve seen a show and I’ve been looking forward to it, despite a bit of trepidation about spending time with Viktor’s mother.
This is literally what I’m getting paid for, though.
When Viktor and I first discussed money, I was happy for him to merely pay the two-hundred-and-fifty thousand I borrowed from the loan shark to ensure that the farm and sanctuary didn’t go into foreclosure. He was the one who said a million was a far better number. That it would protect me and give me a buffer.
Then he changed his mind and offered a million when we got married and another million in a year. That would allow me time to build a nest egg, maybe invest some of it, and also give me time to look for a job. By the time we divorce, I should be all set.
On top of that incredibly generous offer, he kept adding on.
Any gifts he bought me during the marriage were mine to keep—including the stupidly expensive engagement ring.
I would live with him rent-free, including food, insurance, and anything else I needed.
He’s even given me one of his credit cards, and it has no limit. He told me to plan our vacation, decorate the new house, and buy myself anything I need.
I don’t have any plans to buy things for myself, though. I have plenty of clothes and shoes and purses. My closet was beyond full and it still is, even after I sold a couple of expensive purses to try to keep myself afloat when I first left Nathan.
All in all, Viktor is making my life so incredibly easy, I’m willing to take whatever his mother has to dish out.
It’s that simple.
I see them coming up the street but before I can wave, Olga waves to someone and then runs forward. Another tall blond greets her and the two hug like old friends. She seems to be introducing them to Mrs. Maslak and Irina, and I approach gingerly.
“Hi,” I say.
They all turn at once, as if they weren’t expecting me. Olga murmurs something in Russia and Irina presses her lips together. Mrs. Maslak gives me a polite smile—one that definitely doesn’t reach her eyes this time.
“Holly. Hello.” She inclines her head.
“We had forgotten you were joining us,” Olga says with false regret, her lips turning down. “I’m so sorry.”
“Sorry?” I ask, a bad feeling winding through my gut.
“You don’t mind, do you? That I offered your ticket to my friend Anna? She’s a friend from home who goes to university here. I was so excited to see her, it totally slipped my mind that you would be joining us. Is it okay if she uses your ticket? We haven’t seen each other in several years.”
I highly doubt that.
This was probably always the plan.
But if this is some kind of test, I’m not going to play their little game.
“Oh, no problem at all.” I smile a lot more brightly than I feel. “Actually, I have friends in town doing pre-production for a show they’re filming, and they invited me to dinner anyway. Don’t worry about me! Have a wonderful time, and I’ll see you at the game tomorrow.”
“Yes, yes.” Mrs. Maslak smiles brightly now.
Viktor wasn’t kidding about the level of fuckery.
I’m disappointed I won’t have a chance to see the show, but there will be others. In the meantime, I’m going to hang out with Serena.
I give a little wave, turn, walk to the end of the street, and lift my arm for a cab.
I don’t know what their plan was—to somehow humiliate me or expect me to throw a tantrum?—but I’ll be damned if I let them see how disappointed I am. Besides, I really do have an open invitation to join Serena and her friends.
They’re probably a lot more fun anyway.
It’s late when I get back to the hotel, and Viktor is in bed reading when I get to the room. He looks up, his expression inscrutable.
“Did you wait up for me?” I ask in surprise.
