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Kira takes my hand again, and I give it another squeeze.
“So sorry for your loss,” one of my father’s men says as he approaches—I guess I’ll have to start thinking of them as my men. It’ll be an adjustment. This one is named Stepan Pasternack. He laundered money for the bratva, using his bar, casino, and strip club as lucrative businesses to hide the income from our drug shipments.
A small, hairy little man, Stepan has a glint in his eye I dislike as I shake his hand.
“Thank you,” I murmur.
Stepan’s eyes glide over to Kira. “I’ve never seen you out of your castle before.”
Kira doesn’t reply, ducking her head instead. While Elena chooses to be reserved to retain her ice princess status, Kira is genuinely shy. It’s another reason why I feel the need to protect her.
“Our father preferred her safe,” I cut in. “Nowhere safer than at home. I’m sure you can understand that, having daughters of your own.”
Stepan chuckles, making the skin crawl on the back of my neck. “Oh, I do. I hope you enjoy your time out of your castle, Princess.” His eyes slide over to Elena, who’s giving him a look of disgust. “Ah, the Ice Princess herself.” He extends his hand to her. Elena looks down at it as if his hand is covered in poison.
“No,” she says simply, turning her nose up to him.
Stepan’s face falls before he turns his smile on my mother. “Vasilisa, my condolences.”
She smiles tightly. “Thank you.”
“And Maxim,” he says, turning back to me. “I hope you have a long and eventful reign.”
I nod, then watch as he walks away. This job is going to be tougher than I thought.
The next guest to approach is George Smirnoff. Following him is the beautiful woman from earlier—the one with the red hair.
“Maxim, you know I’m here for you if you need anything,” George says, shaking my hand. Even at my father’s funeral, he’s already trying to get in good with me. I don’t mind. At least I know I can trust George. I can’t speak the same for a lot of the men here.
“Of course.” I pat his shoulder. “I appreciate that.”
George gestures for the woman to step forward. “This is my daughter, Arina.”
I offer her my hand, and she gently takes it. The handshake only lasts a second, but I can still feel her hand in mine long after it’s gone.
“Nice to meet you, Mr. Petrov,” she says in a sweet, twinkling voice.
I nod, keeping my face composed in a cool manner.
“Keep in mind what I said,” George comments before he guides his daughter away.
Kira squeezes my hand. “She was pretty,” she whispers.
“Where are you going with that comment?” I murmur out of the corner of my mouth.
She shrugs. “Just commentating.”
“Maxim,” a deep voice says as Nikolay Volkov approaches and shakes my hand. “Terrible loss. Your father will be missed.”
“Thanks, Nik,” I say dryly. Nikolay, or as I call him, Nik, has been my best friend ever since we were children. He’s the only one here I can completely trust. I also know he hated my father just as much as I did.
Nik glances over at Elena, but she turns her head away, sniffing as if he were a dog. With dark hair and a scruffy demeanor, I’ve seen women fall at Nik’s feet over the years. He always told me that women couldn’t resist his tattoos. I’m sure it’s a surprise to him that my sister has never swooned over him. I’m proud of her for that.
Nik smirks and looks back at me. I raise an eyebrow, but his smile just grows wider.
Glancing around, I lean in closer to him. “Listen, Nik. I’d like to talk to you about something. Come with me.” I start to walk away when Kira grips my hand tighter. I give her a small smile. “I’ll be back in a few minutes. I promise.”
She nods, letting my hand go.
