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Everyone drinks to the happy couple while I look at Alek’s red-stained mouth, disgusted at myself. I shouldn’t have allowed him to kiss me that way. I should have pushed him away.
“You are everything and so much more,” he whispers against my neck. “I meant every word. You have opened my eyes, and I hope, in time, I can do the same to you.”
The walls close in around me, and I suddenly find it hard to breathe.
“Oh, Alek, I never took you for a romantic,” says a voice, dripping with pure sarcasm.
Astra and the mystery man stand before us, smirking as if they’re privy to a secret no one else but them knows. She looks stunning in a royal blue ballgown with a gaping neckline. Her ruby pendant dangles between her bountiful breasts, setting off her royal glow.
The man in a sharp tuxedo makes no secret he’s examining me closely. “I’m Sokolov. Borya Sokolov. Nice to meet you.” He lowers his voice while I wonder who introduces themselves by using their surname. It’s not like he’s James Bond.
He offers his hand while I notice Astra roll her eyes.
“You have outdone yourself with this one.”
This one? I claw my palms to stop myself from slapping his cheek. His comment has me guessing he is a member of The Circle.
“She has a name, and I’d appreciate if you’d use it.” Alek’s quick retort stuns everyone, but he soon recovers. “And yes, I am most fortunate.” He wipes his mouth with a crisp white handkerchief, and it comes away red with my lipstick.
Astra smiles, but she is, without a doubt, sizing me up. Her smile soon turns into a bitter scowl.
“Where is your wife tonight, Borya?”
The temperature drops to artic levels, and when a smug smirk tugs at Alek’s lips, I wonder if he said this to get under Astra’s skin. “She had to look after the kids. Our sitter took ill.”
“Hmm,” Alek replies, peering around the room, bored by his story.
“You still owe me a game of poker. How about we play a game? Are you afraid I’ll beat you?” Borya states. It seems like an odd thing to say, considering we’re at a party.
“Afraid?” Alek scoffs. “Of you? Mother Superior is far more frightening than you are.”
I can’t help the winded chuckle that leaves me because Astra’s sour face is priceless. “Mother Superior is an old wench who should leave those children in the gutter where they belong.”
Horror soon replaced my humor. How can she be so cruel? Alek’s lips twist into a scowl.
“Then let’s play,” Borya challenges, ignoring Astra.
“You and your gambling will be your downfall, my friend.” Alek slaps him on the back, then hooks an arm around my waist, hinting it’s time to go. “It’s a party. Have fun. We will play another time.”
Just as Alek is about to usher us away, Astra folds her arms under her breasts, leveling Alek with an intense stare. “I know what will change your mind.”
Her confidence piques his interest, and he waits for her to elaborate.
When she runs a hand down her throat and circles over the ruby around her neck, something in Alek changes. She not only has his attention. She owns him. “How about we use this as a wager? I know how much you want it…back.”
Alek’s body tenses as he glares at the necklace. She’s implying it once belonged to him, and the way he’s looking at it, I dare say it holds some value to him. But why would he give it away if it does?
“I suppose I can sneak away for a few minutes,” he says, playing it cool.
“I thought you might,” Astra replies. “Come find us when you’re done playing house.”
Alek’s spine stiffens because her comment was a blatant insult. She clearly wasn’t touched by his speech. But I suppose it’s hard to touch a heart made of ice. She and Borya saunter off in victory while I wonder why it’s so important to play a game of poker.
Unless Borya has a gambling problem…
I’m Sokolov. Borya Sokolov.
Oh, my god. Why didn’t I see this sooner?
