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Anya’s face flames. I can see her clenching her teeth to keep quiet.
With her cowed, he turns back to me. “I don’t know why I’m surprised. You love putting women on my payroll who do absolutely nothing to benefit the Family.”
Usually, I’d let my father run out of steam before stepping in to be the voice of reason. Stepping in now, however, keeps him from revealing to Cora far more than a civilian like her should know about who we are and what we do.
It also has the added benefit of deflecting the barbs he meant for my sister and Cora. He’s made it no secret that he thinks Anya and her husband are nothing but a drain on the family. They’ve argued about it until they’re both red in the face. It does no good. Anya doesn’t need to sit through that lecture again.
“I do what I have to do to fix the fucking messes you insist on creating for us,” I snarl.
“The only thing I did where Katerina was concerned is arrange a perfect match for you. You’re the one who threw it all away for—” He flings a disgusted hand in Cora’s direction. “This.”
“This isn’t about Katerina or Cora,” I say with preternatural calm. “This is about protecting our family from someone who wants to hurt it.”
Ten years ago, I wouldn’t have needed to explain this. But time and age has worn on my father’s abilities to see situations clearly. He is all instinct and rage now. Logic takes a backseat.
His flabby jaw works back and forth. “The girl is useless. She doesn’t have any connections. What good does she do for us?”
I want to point out that ninety-eight percent of the women my father hand-selected to be at my party last night are undeniably useless. They are little more than pretty lawn ornaments perched in front of their family estates.Look at where I come from. Stop and admire me.
Cora is nothing like that.
It doesn’t ultimately matter, though. Because I have a very good use for Cora. My father is just too blind to see it.
“Cora helps me draw out the identity of the person bold enough to attack our family.”
“We can do it without her. Without you taking yourself off the market and ruining the potential of a suitable match being made.”
“Cora is going to be a litmus test for who amongst our allies is trustworthy and who is trying to manipulate us. If you think that’s useless, perhaps it’s time for you to retire.”
He scowls. “You’d love that, wouldn’t you?”
I give him a tight smile. “I only want what is best for the family.”
We stare at each other for a few seconds. He’s deciding whether to push. Whether to fight.
I don’t have to decide: I’ll die on this hill.
Finally, he takes a step back, nodding. “You think you are ready to lead? Fine. Prove it. Handle this before it becomes a problem I have to fix. I have a feeling you won’t likemysolution.”
With one last scowl tossed in Cora’s direction, he turns and leaves.
27
CORA
That could not have gone worse.
As soon as the front door slams closed, Anya blows out a breath. Ivan doesn’t move. He stares in the direction his father left like he expects him to return and wreak more havoc. Like the villain in a slasher movie coming back to life after you’re certain he’s dead.
I look over to Anya, but she won’t meet my eyes.
I lied to her. I get it. But someone needs to break this silence, to clear the air.
I guess that someone is me.
I step forward. “Thank you, Ivan, for…” I swallow. “I’m sorry that didn’t go well, but thank you for defending me. I’m sure he’ll come around and—”
“Anya.” His voice is icy rage as he looks over my shoulder at his sister. “Take Cora upstairs.”
