Page 18 of Ruthless Reign

“Charming,” I spit out. “But I’m sure there’d be plenty of women willing to spread their legs. Why be tied down?”

Anatoly snorts. “Trust me. I fuck whomever I want, whenever I want, but none are as delectable as my fiancée,” he slurs.

His words grate under my skin. Marrying Liza isn’t about anything other than his need for control. Men like him are pathetic. My father was driven by the same dark compulsion and I’ve been the ruin it brings.

I crack my neck, battling to suppress the anger stirring inside me like a dangerous cocktail. “Just make sure the wedding doesn't sidetrack you from our business. There’s no room for fuck-ups with a deal this big.”

He makes a dismissive gesture. “Planning a wedding is women's business. All I need to do is show up.”

With great pleasure, I notice his face has turned a sickly shade of green, and his thinning hair is wilting in the steamy heat.

Anatoly reaches for the vodka bottle again, sweat pouring off him in buckets.

“Might be time for you to take a break.” I lean back against the birch wall, making it clear that I’m just fine. “The heat can really get to you.”

“I’m okay. Never been bet?—”

He doesn’t get the final word out before puking all over the floor.

Can’t say I didn’t warn him.

CHAPTER NINE

ROMAN

“Don’t look so sour. This is going to be fun.”

My eyes cut to Kira in the passenger seat, a broad grin stretching across her face.

I can’t help but smile back. After all she’s been through, she deserves to have a good time. I just wish her good time didn’t include me and the woman I’d be happy to avoid for the rest of my life. But fate has a way of grabbing you by the balls and twisting hard.

Doesn’t matter. Liza may be temptation personified, but I know better than to get close. Even if we’re about to spend four days together like a happy little family.

I clear my throat, navigating Moscow’s snow-covered streets on the way to Liza’s family estate. “It’ll be fun for you,” I remind Kira. “Not for me. I have a job to do.”

“Oh, come on. How hard is it to guard two women who plan on spending most of the time shopping and eating? Surely, this is not your toughest assignment.”

“That remains to be seen.” I wink at Kira. “It depends on how well-behaved you are.”

“Usually, you’d have something to worry about, but not so much these days.” She pats her belly to make her point. “Although…” Kira leans forward as if letting me in on a little secret. “I’m going to make sure Liza gets to have some real fun. She deserves it, having to marry that mudak.”

I'm not surprised by the acid in Kira's tone. Although we've never had a conversation about it, her occasional snide remarks make it clear that she isn't a fan of Anatoly. She tries to be discreet because of our business dealings with the Petroviches, but Kira’s not one to fake her feelings. I don’t blame her; I can’t stand him myself.

“You make it sound like Liza’s being forced to marry him. There’s not exactly a gun to her head.” Yeah, she seemed a little off her game when she bummed a cigarette from me, but anything could've upset her.

“I wouldn’t be so sure about that,” Kira grumbles.

I flick a glance her way. “Why do you say that?”

She sighs. “It’s just… Forget it. What does it matter anyhow? The wedding’s going to happen, and there’s nothing I can do to stop it.”

Something about her words gives me pause. “Why would you want to stop your best friend’s wedding?”

Kira gazes out the window, turning her attention to the passing scenery. “She’s marrying him to make her parents happy, no matter what she tells me—or tells herself, for that matter. She doesn’t love him. She doesn’t even like him.”

My lips twitch as I shift up a gear. “That’s ‘cause he’s a dick.” There’s no point hiding my feelings since Kira and I are on the same page. “But he’s a rich dick. And you know the shit people are willing to do for money.”

“That’s not Liza,” Kira huffs. “It’s her parents. They have real sway over her.”

---