Page 88 of Vow Of Fire

“Likewise,” she said evenly, and nodded to a vacant chair. “Please, sit.”

Evelyn slid onto a chair and studied her. Vivid green met arctic blue.

I held my breath as the two women sized each other up. I knew Evelyn had spirit—hell, she’d given me a hard enough time—but how would it manifest against Valentina’s ruthless and strategic mind?

“I see you’re making yourself at home?” my mother said dryly.

Evelyn smiled, though I could see her knuckles whitening as she clasped her fingers together beneath the table. “As best I can under the circumstances.”

She was holding it together admirably. I couldn’t help the surge of pride that rose in my chest.

“My son believes you have nothing to do with the theft of our shipment.”

“You mean my shipment,” Evelyn said politely.

“Excuse me?” Valentina frowned.

It wasn’t often my mother was caught off guard.

“It was my shipment,” Evelyn clarified. “Your family hijacked my container to transport your… merchandise. It was my shipment that was broken into.”

My mother’s mouth turned up at the edges as she surveyed Evelyn, this time with more curiosity. Evelyn had piqued her interest, and I wasn’t sure if that was a good or a bad thing.

“My mistake,” Valentina said softly.

Now that was interesting.

“Strange that none of your precious paintings were destroyed,” my mother said, fixing her gaze on Evelyn across the table. I’d known there was more coming. Valentina didn’t apologize. Not to anyone.

“Luckily,” Evelyn retorted. “We had buyers lined up for those works.”

“Like Malakov?” Valentina asked, and I caught the undertone of bitterness. I wasn’t sure Evelyn had. She didn’t know their long and sordid history.

“Yes, Sergei’s a fan of Mateo’s work. He’s purchased three pieces to date.” I looked at Evelyn. Could it be my tragic Ophelia was deliberately baiting my mother?

Jesus, she had guts.

I smirked, then lost the grin as Valentina pinned me with a look.

“What?” I said innocently.

Ignoring me, she turned back to Evelyn. “Sergei? You’re on a first name basis?”

“Yes, he told me to call him that. But I only ever deal with Mikhail,” Evelyn assured her. “He bids on the pieces we acquire.”

“Mikhail Orlov,” my mother said, her voice flat. It wasn’t a question. She pursed her lips. “I see nothing much has changed.”

Evelyn cast me a questioning glance. I gave a miniscule shake of my head.

Later.

A long beat passed in silence. I wasn’t going to be the one to fill it. Valentina had come here for a reason. I was still waiting for her to reveal it.

Eventually, Valentina turned to me. “Nico tells me two key members of the cartel arrived in New York this weekend.”

“When?” I snapped.

“Saturday morning.”