Page 28 of Dancing With Delusion

I sigh, lowering back into my seat. My father summons the waiter over. “Another bottle of wine,” he orders.

“Whiskey for me,” I interrupt. If I’m going to tolerate this pair for the next hour or so, I’m going to need something stronger than wine. The waiter nods and leaves.

“Okay, let’s talk business.” Vivian’s the first to break the silence. “So, as we said before, Dmitry, I have brought your father on board for the businesses. I’ve never had to take care of these things before, and I believe it would be an asset to have you on board too. You already own fifty percent of V’s Wine Bar, but your father and I decided we would like to bring you in on everything.” I look between the two in confusion. What’s their fucking game? My father watches me with interest, like he senses my distrust.

The waiter arrives with our drinks, placing them on the table. I take a swig of the burning liquor, allowing it to settle my unease. This constant battle for power between us is exhausting.

“It makes logical sense, moy syn. Vivian has no experience in business, and her mother shows no desire to take over. I will be required to be in Russia, so bringing you on board will mean that business is well taken care of.”

This isn’t something I want, working with these two on a permanent basis. I know it is going to cause all sorts of problems. All I ever needed was Ronnie’s underground shit, which I now have, but if I don’t agree, it gives my father a chance to take over without me, and I’ll be damned if I let him take everything I’ve worked hard for.

“Before I make any decision, we need to talk money.” I have every intention of delaying my decision while I weigh up the options. I also need to consider Victoria. She will need to accept that I will be spending more time in Vivian’s company, and I already foresee that being a huge problem.

“We think a three-way split is reasonable, a fair price. Wouldn’t you agree?” my father asks. He knows what he’s doing and that he’s got me by the balls. How can I refuse such a good deal when it’s being offered on a plate? But his ulterior motive is to have a hold over me, and I’m not blind to that fact. He sees me slipping away and can’t stand it.

“I need to discuss it with my advisor,” I declare, draining my whiskey and placing my glass back on the table. “I like to run these things past him, I’m sure you would appreciate that.”

“Of course, Dmitry.” My father grins, knowing he’s already got me.

The evening is going by without too much incident, even though the tension in the atmosphere is palpable and none of us actually want to be here. Perhaps apart from Vivian, who constantly smiles my way flirtatiously.

My phone buzzes in my chest pocket and I pull it out, glancing at Victoria’s name dancing across my screen. Cancelling the call, I place it back in my pocket. If I answer while in Vivian’s company, I know she will take great delight in letting her presence be known.

“What’s wrong, Dmitry? Trouble with your companion?” Vivian snipes, her venom knowing no bounds. “Maybe you need a real woman?” I sigh at her feeble attempt to flirt with me. What she doesn’t realise is she has nothing on Victoria, who sparks something feral inside me, something I’ve never experienced before.

“Vivian, my shlyukha,” I lean in close, whispering in her ear, “you were just a filler. You just kept my bed warm until someone better came along.” Vivian stares at me, her eyes full of fury and hurt. My lips curl at the corners, knowing I’ve hit a nerve. She rises from her seat, throwing her napkin on the table before stalking off to the restroom.

I feel my phone vibrate against my chest again and take it out for the second time, in case it’s something which requires my urgent attention. It’s Victoria again. This time, I place my phone face down on the table and let it ring out.

“You’ve upset Vivian again,” my father murmurs. “You really should learn some respect for your business partners.” I scoff at his attempt to protect Vivian, especially when he’s the most unforgiving bastard I know.

“If you’re that concerned, you fuck her. She’s a wild ride, you’ll appreciate her. She takes instruction like a pro.” I lean over the table inches from his face and whisper, “Just remember, I taught her everything she fucking knows.” His jaw twitches and his eyes widen.

“Do not disrespect, moy mal’chik. Remember who’s in charge. Just because you’re my son doesn’t give you a free pass. Now, sit the fuck down, and you will apologise to Vivian when she returns.”

I laugh and sit back in my seat, checking my phone as it rings again.

Tori

Staring down at the image on my phone, my blood boils as my anger takes over. Dmitry lied to me. The fucker told me he was meeting his father, yet here I sit with an image that proves he’s with his fucking whore.

It shows him clearly leaning into Vivian and kissing her on the cheek. His hand is resting on the small of her back, and her eyes are alight with that all too familiar affection. It’s the look she saves just for him.

I dial his number again, ready to give the bastard a piece of my mind, but it just rings out for the fourth time, which only pisses me off more.

How could I be so fucking stupid? I launch my phone across the room, just missing Marshall as he enters the room.

“For fuck’s sake, Tori, what’s got into you now?” he questions as he looks down to where my phone is now in pieces on the ground.

“As if you don’t fucking know,” I snap as I rise from the bed and grab a bag from the wardrobe. “You fucking goons all protect him. Heaven forbid any of you would think for yourselves.” I pull open a drawer and riffle through, throwing clothes into a bag. Marshall approaches me, sitting beside my bag on the bed. “Fuck you all,” I seethe. “How could I be so fucking stupid?” I scream the last sentence, more for my own benefit than anyone else’s.

Marshall stares at me like I’m a raging lunatic, his brows furrowed. He goes to open his mouth, but I shut him down instantly. “Don’t you fucking dare defend him.”

He sighs. “Tori, calm down and tell me what the hell has got your knickers in a twist. I have no idea what’s going on.” He puts his hands out to placate me, as if I’m a wild animal that needs taming. I sigh, dropping to the floor, my eyes filling with unshed tears.

“He’s seeing that stuck-up cow.” I shudder as images assault my brain of what he could be doing with her right now. I blink away the tears, but they fall anyway, and I swipe them away quickly. He isn’t worth my tears.

“Tori,” I glance up to see him watching me cautiously, “he’s at a business dinner, that’s all.” I can see in his eyes that he believes he’s telling me the truth, but he can’t deny the images I’ve seen.

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