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“For what reason?” I ask.
“It’s part of his initiation,” Emma slumps into the couch. “He can’t be with me if he wants to be in the Bratva, because I’m not Bratva.”
Neither am I, but I don’t say it aloud. I married into the Bratva, but there’s always something that sets me apart from the others. I’m tolerated because I have another purpose in Andrei’s life. Is this a glimpse of my future? Will I be treated as coldly as my sister? I feel offended and defensive for Emma. Is this a whim of his? To have Viktor dump my little sister?
“Emma, I know it’s hard.” I do my best to sound sympathetic. “Believe me, I know. But it’s better to find out now than later.”
“Later?” She scowls. “It’s too late. We’ve done more than kiss, Paige.”
My hands clench in fists. I’m not mad at her. I’m furious with him. Viktor took advantage of my innocent sister. He can’t get away with fucking her and then dumping her.
“What has he done?” I ask, my voice harsher than I expected.
“No, I’m still a virgin … technically.” Emma’s face flames scarlet as she studies the floor. “I thought I had good taste in men,” she sighs. “But it turns out that my taste is as bad as yours.”
That stings, but I ignore the jibe and yank Emma closer toward me, giving her a smothering hug. I’m not sure what to think. Maybe this desire to join the Bratva is over now that Viktor has dumped her. Maybe Emma will stop arguing with me, and my resolve will strengthen. When it’s time to leave, she’ll be with me, not fighting me.
But something is bothering me that makes me want to confront Andrei.
Eva walks into the room, and her smile instantly turns to fear. She looks as pale as the white linen dress she is wearing when she sees Emma crying and me on the verge of angry tears.
“Oh God. What has happened?” She rushes toward me and pulls me into her arms. “No. Not now. Nothing bad can happen now.” Eva becomes so emotional, I have to wonder what else is going on.
“Emma had her heart broken,” I tell her.
Emma frowns through her tears. “No. Just my pride.”
Emma’s lips tremble as fresh tears fall, and Eva pulls her into her arms, patting her hair. Eva gives me a knowing look. “Cry it out and forget him,” she tells her. “Men can be thoughtless, but I’m sure he didn’t mean to be cruel. They think differently than us.”
“I thought he liked me,” Emma whispers. “I thought we were in this together.”
Emma clings to Eva as they leave the ballroom, headed for the kitchen. “I’ll make you some tea, and you can tell me everything you feel. I will listen where others won’t.”
My anger takes over my body, and I head to Andrei’s office before reason can stop me. I don’t bother to knock before I walk in. He’s alone, typing away at his laptop atop a desk scattered with papers. His thoughtful concentration seems out of place, especially compared to the usual hair-raising threats he shouts into his phone.
“Yes, my wife?”
I pace, eager to start a fight. “Did you tell Viktor to dump Emma for the Bratva?”
The icy look he gives me knocks my anger down a notch. “Is that not what you demanded?”
I stammer, “Viktor didn’t have to do it so cruelly.”
“Then how else would he have done it?” Andrei asks coolly. “I thought you would be dancing up and down the halls. Your little sister hasn’t been lured into the Bratva.” He pauses to look at a piece of paper. “Sometimes being cruel gets the point across. She’ll get over him.”
I scramble to make a point. “I should have told her.”
“Would she have listened to you?” he asks.
I glare at him, at a loss, but Andrei remains indifferent and refuses to let me have the last word.
“I am the pakhan, not you,” he says, standing. “Victor was Emma’s guard, not her lover.”
“Is that so?” I bite back, letting the old wounds resurface. Is he implying our marriage is nothing more than a similar arrangement? “Do you think the same way about me?”
“Is that what you want to believe?” he asks.
“You made it clear our marriage was fake. Has anything changed?”
