Page 71 of Lord of Justice

"Fucking Jeremy! That fucking…" She's so angry that she's making noises instead of actual words.

Melina steps next to me. "I just got word from Leonid. There was a kidnapping attempt on Miss Rose today, she is safe and unharmed."

"What?"Caroline and I screech the word together.

"There was no danger," Melina says quickly. "But during the initial attack, Jeremy -"

"Jeremy ran screaming!" Rose shouts. "Can you believe that shit? He just left me there on the sidewalk and took off. He didn't even look back!"

"He issucha choad," I snarl.

Caroline glances at me. "Choad? Oh, yeah. That's the perfect description for him, that guy’s definitely benefiting from the low effort dating economy."

Melina tries to look soothing but it's not her thing. "Miss Rose's security did exactly what they needed to. She was never in danger."

"Do we know who it is? Why did they go after Rose?" I ask.

Smiling in a way that would be creepy on anyone but Melina, she says, "We're gathering that information now."

"Yeah, in the basement at Gordi's Sandwich Paradise," Caroline mumbles. “I’ll never look at a rib roast the same way again.”

Rose and I talk for a while until she sobs herself dry, drinks a bottle of water and starts crying again.

"Tell me one thing," I ask. "Are you more upset that Jeremy ran away, or that it's kind of clear he's a fucking asshole?"

"Both," she says despondently. "I'm embarrassed and irritated that you and Violet were right about him."

"Honey, it's not like I'mhappy to be right."

"I know." She blows her nose loudly.

Andrey walks into the sitting room, raising a brow when he hears her.

"Rosie, I have to go," I say regretfully. "We have some stuffy-ass dinner to attend. Are you going to be okay?"

"Yeah," she sighs. "I'm going over to Violet's and smothering the baby with affection."

"Good choice," I say. "I love you. Always and forever."

"Right back at you," she sniffles.

It's very late when we get into one of the Morozov armor-plated vehicles, heading to dinner.

"Is there anything special you need me to know tonight?" I ask. "I'm amazed that Jessica didn't hand me a spreadsheet." Andrey puts my hand on his thigh, the feel of his thick muscles is extremely distracting. He looks so handsome tonight in his coal-black suit and blue tie.

You should tell him,Morally Responsible Iris urges.He deserves to know about the baby.I tell Morally Responsible Iris to shut the hell up and give a little laugh. "Are you trying to distract me with your gorgeous musculature right now?"

"Is it working?" he asks.

"Yeah." My hand squeezes his leg a little.

"This might have been a bad idea," he muses. Glancing at his crotch, I see he's already hard.

"Well, nowyou'redistracted," I smile smugly.

We're ushered into a beautiful restaurant that's been closed to the public for tonight. It's in a former church, and the stained-glass windows are glorious, the arched ceilings and gold gilded trim are awe-inspiring.

"This must have been a beautiful cathedral," I whisper.