Page 62 of Violent Pawn

Gabriella rests a hand on my lower arm, following my gaze to the beacon across the ballroom. “She’s lovely tonight.”

“She is.”

“She’s also quite popular with the dance requests. It’s odd a dancer by trade is turning them all down, as if she’s waiting for someone special.” Gabriella nudges me, not at all hiding her obviousness.

Perhaps she has a point. I can prove to everyone that the unattainable is attainable.

I’m three steps in her direction when I hear them. It sets me off worse than being sober during this hellscape.

“Volkov’s friend, the Petrov girl—seems like she’s a wild thing. Imagine what she’s like in bed.”

If one wasn’t bad enough, the second has me whirling. “I’m up for the challenge of whipping that defiance out of her. The Bratva clearly allows their women to run free. What I wouldn’t pay to tame her.”

Three steps their way, ready to hammer down the vengeance of this entire organization on their heads, a hand clamps onto my shoulder, and Elio’s voice is low in my ear. “You’re here to keep the peace, not break it.”

Zeno would kill me if I ruined their party, but these fuckheads are doing it for him. Vanessa would approve of me teaching them a thing or two about respect when they’re insulting her best friend.

Elio’s point is enough that when shrugging him off, I inhale a seething breath between my teeth and nod, reassuring him I’m calmer.

Before ignoring his advice and stalking their way.

I grab the first by the scruff of the neck while hauling the other closer by his arm, using height to my advantage. “You two say one more word against Signorina Petrov, and I’ll be sure your dicks are permanently out of commission.”

“Mancini will⁠—”

I laugh in his face, lamenting not remembering which asshole said what, not that both weren’t equally disgraceful. “You really think Zeno will care when you’re insulting his fiancée’s best friend? Did you not hear him when he commanded respect to the Bratva, or are you two just too fuckin’ stupid to get your heads out of your asses and listen?”

“It’s not an insult if it’s true.”

My fingers clamp tighter on his collar, pressing into his pulse, the delicate part of his body that ultimately decides his life. “And now, you’re just insulting me. You really want to play this game, Costa? I promise it’ll end bloody for you.”

Z’s peacekeeping mission can suck it. Besides, he can’t actually believe I’m the best for that job.

I release them with a snarl and send them skittering away before making good on my promises. Elio has approached in the time I’ve been dealing with them, while Zeno watches from across the room. Both tense, as if I’m the issue.

A third set of eyes is on me too, and really, I’m not surprised she noticed.

Anastasia is so much more than someone to tame. She’ll be the one doing the taming, smashing through any of us before allowing herself to crumble. She’s too strong and way too smart to play the stupid, petty games others enjoy. She’s not the princess, but the knight who saves herself.

I’d die before seeing her charm be snuffed out.

I skirt the dance floor where Zeno’s now with Serafina and Vanessa with Dimitri. Across the room, Anastasia’s angled herself in front of Katya and Lev, as though to keep them out of view. I step beside her, murmuring her surname while nodding at the other two.

“Amato,” she greets coolly.

“Since we’ve practiced in your studio that one time, I vote we host the performance now.” I offer her my hand, palm up. “That’s how it works, hmm? You practice in the studio, then repeat it on the stage.”

Despite her snort, she rests her hand into mine and allows me to lead her to the floor. “That was corny.”

We move into the formal dance position. “It worked, so it couldn’t have been that bad.”

“No,” she agrees softly, eyes drifting all over the room. “Gabriella and the wedding planner did well.”

“And whoever chose your dress deserves a raise.” My thumb presses into her lower back, nudging her even nearer.

“It reminded me of your eyes.” Her eyes are comically wide as she struggles to pull away again, licking her lips and looking anywhere but me.

I spin her faster than proper, yanking her against me. “You can’t take that back, Petrov. It’s out there. You like my eyes then?”