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His brows raise, waiting. “And?”
Before I can tell Konstantin that I’ll gut him before I let him come into my house and demand answers from me, the doorbell rings. Mikhail is closest to the door, so he spins around and throws it open… to reveal Francia.
Mikhail’s eyebrows hit his hairline. I just sigh. I’ve stopped being surprised when she pops up. She’s like a fucking cockroach.
“Oh. Mikhail…” Her eyes narrow before she struts past him into my house. “Am I late?”
“You can’t be late if you weren’t invited.”
Konstantin steps in front of Francia to box her out. “You aren’t part of this deal.”
“I was until you cut me out. You broke your word, but I won’t break mine. I said I’d be here until the end, so here I am.” She picks lint off the shoulder of her black dress like everything is la-di-fucking-da, but her hand is shaking. “What happens here tonight concerns me. I’m staying.”
“Get out, Francia,” Mikhail barks. “You lost. It’s over.”
Francia is ready to face off with the Sokolovs in my foyer, but it’s a waste of time. I know how this ends for all of them. As far as I’m concerned, the more the merrier.
Besides, none of them should be here. If the Sokolov Bratva was just a touch more inexperienced, I’d kill them all where they stand and be done with it. But they are a genuine threat, even with their meager resources. I won’t throw my men into a war if I can avoid it.
“Everyone is staying,” I announce. “Go to the dining room. Grab some champagne.”
“What are we toasting to?” Francia asks.
I slide my arm around Katerina’s shoulders and smile. “A new beginning.”
Katerina goes rigid, but her family and Francia are all too thrilled to notice. Konstantin thinks I’m marrying his daughter. Mikhail and Francia are both looking around like they expect Cora to be wheeled out to them on a silver platter.
You better celebrate now, I think.It won’t last long.
Katerina and I lead the way to the dining room, where flutes of champagne are waiting on a tray. I take one and gesture for everyone else to follow suit.
It’s a hell of a scene. A room full of enemies sitting in a circle and sipping champagne. Completely unaware of the noose tightening around their necks.
I stand at the head of the table, glass in hand. “I know we’ve all had our troubles. There’s a lot of history here. Betrayals and partnerships alike. Secrets and lies aplenty. I brought you all here because I want to start this next phase of my life on the right foot.”
Konstantin raises his glass in cautious agreement. “I like the sound of that.”
“Good. I’m glad you agree with me.” I step back from the table just as the doors behind me open.
I don’t need to see Yasha and Lev to know they’re there. They’re standing on either side of the kitchen doors, waiting. Konstantin’s eyes dart between them and me, trying to get a read on the situation.
“Not that it matters either way,” I continue. “I don’t give a fuck about your feelings or whether you agree with me. It would just make things simpler if you did.”
Mikhail points to the door behind me. “What are they doing here? You said security would stay outside.”
“Yoursecurity would stay outside. This is my house. If you thought I’d be unarmed while you walk in here making demands, you’re even dumber than you look.”
Konstantin lurches to his feet. “This is against the spirit of the arrangement.”
“And kidnapping the woman I love wasinthe spirit?” I snap.
Konstantin frowns. I can practically see the gears churning in his head. Am I talking about Katerina? Or someone else?
So many people kidnapped. Who could possibly keep track?
“If you can’t honor the conditions you required, then we’ll leave,” he spits. “You can’t marry my daughter and treat her family like this.”
Katerina is doing exactly what I asked her to do. She’s sitting quietly and staying out of my way. If only her father and brother were as accommodating.
