Page 6 of Lord of Justice

Dinner finally grinds to a painful end, and I notice that Rose pays for Jeremy's dinner, too. I've never thought a guy should pay for everything, I always insist on going halfsies, it just seems fair. But I can tell by the way he drifts off to the bathroom - leaving her with the bill - that this is a common maneuver.

"You don't seem happy for me," Rose says sadly.

"Sweetie, I love you." I reach over, squeezing her hand. "I just… you're usually so sharp about men. That's one of our best skills."

"This is true," she nods. "We can break down their weaknesses and soft spots in less than five minutes of conversation."

"Exactly! So, I just… To me, it seems like Jeremy has some glaring red flags."

That's the understatement of the century.

Rose frowns. "Like what?"

"Well, first -"

"What are my girls talking about?" Jeremy's back.

"I'm not your girl," I snap, probably more forcefully than needed.

He leans back in exaggerated surprise. "Whoa, there! Sorry."

Looking at my sister, I flinch at her embarrassment and disappointed expression. I know she thought this night would go better.

"No, I'm sorry," I grind the words out. "I didn't get much sleep last night. This is… I'm happy for you." Jeremy doesn't care and Rose is not convinced, so I hug her hard. "Really," I whisper in her ear. "If this is what you want, you know I've got your back. Always."

***

Find the definition of "Choad"here in the Urban Dictionary.(Jeremy is, as you'll see, #2 and #3)

Chapter Three

In which we learn what a Bratva Vor considers “play crime.”

Andrey…

I see Iris and Rose next at a party that Roman is throwing to celebrate his second wedding anniversary with Violet. It is also quite clear this is a thinly disguised fundraiser for her second youth shelter that she's opening in The Bronx.

"Be careful, brother," Nikandr murmurs as he hands me a drink. "The Morozov men always seem to catch marriage at fundraisers. Venmo a shit ton of money to the youth shelter account andrun.As the last surviving single Morozov, you may as well have a glow in the dark target on your back."

"I know this is essentially accurate," I nod, taking a healthy gulp of scotch. "Isn't that how Roman met Violet? She cornered him at a fundraiser to hire him to kill her stepfather?"

"Exactly. I overheard two of Liria's friends talking about, 'Having dibs on the hot, scary one.'Which could only be you." Nik laughs, the asshole.

"I am wearing my best 'do not fuck with me' expression tonight," I shrug. "I think I'm safe." He's still smiling, watching me. "What?"

"It's just… it's been good to see you more often these days." He takes a glass of champagne off a passing waiter's tray and heads back to Caroline, a foolish grin on his face. Sighing, I take another drink. Pathetic, really.

Iris and Rose are in a corner of the garden, partially shielded by a fall of ivy there. Rose has sent her fatuous boyfriend off to get them more hors d'oeuvres and whispers something to Iris, who starts coughing up champagne.

"What are you choking on?" Rose asks, helpfully pounding on her twin's back.

"My hopes and dreams, baby," Iris wheezes. "Please don't let Jeremy announce your engagement tonight. I don't like him, but I also don't want Roman tossing him in a pit of sulphuric acid."

"Wait." Rose stops slapping Iris's back, looking interested. "Roman does that? I'm not surprised. I've heard stories."

No, you haven't,I think.You'd run screaming if you heard some of the real details about how Romanquestions our hostages.

"Really," Iris urges. "Jeremy is not attractive enough to overlook that he'd be missing a mouthful of teeth. Besides…" She lowers her voice. "Pete and Harvey are dropping something off. We need to be ready."