Page 87 of Emerald Vices

“It’s not going to happen, Shura.”

Shura falls silent, the vein in his forehead throbbing. The tension feels at the point of spilling over when someone clears their throat from the doorway.

And then, of all people, Katya steps into the space between us. “Before someone walks out of here with a black eye, might I make a suggestion?”

“You’re not supposed to be here,” Shura grits.

“Well, I am, and I heard everything. Andrey’s right, Shura: sending Misha would be a huge mistake. And I’m not just saying that because Natalia would burn this house to the ground in a rage.”

Shura scowls. “This doesn’t concern you, Kat. These are Bratva matters.”

She meets his scowl with one of her own. “Since it concerns the safety of my best friend, I’m making it my concern.” She pushes past Shura to face me. “Send me instead.”

I wait for the punchline.

It doesn’t come.

“Have you lost your fucking mind?!” Shura roars.

Katya doesn’t so much as glance in his direction. “I’m smart and resourceful. I’d make a good spy.”

“Prygat!” Shura grabs her arm and steers her towards the door.

She shakes him off. “Touch me again, buddy, and I’ll kick you in the nuts.”

Shura’s hand drops along with his face. His anger drains away, and his voice wobbles in a way I’ve never heard before. “Kat, baby… you can’t.”

“I can. I’d do anything for Natalia. Do you think that’s changed just because you and Andrey entered our lives? We’ve had each other’s backs long before you two showed up.”

Shura reaches for her, but stops himself when she levels him with a glare. “If you think I’m going to let you get anywhere near Nikolai Rostov?—”

“I’m not planning on getting anywhere near Nikolai Rostov,” she interrupts. “I’m planning on getting close to Viktor.”

Oh, for fuck’s sake. She might be right.

As much as I understand Shura’s fury, Katya is onto something.

“Viktor knows you’re Natalia’s friend,” I remind her. “Why would he trust you?”

“Because as far as he knows, Natalia cut me off after we crashed his wedding to Mila. I’ll let him think we’re on the outs, and I’m looking to get even.” She gives me a dark, melancholy smile. “I’ll make him believe what I need him to believe, Andrey. I’ve always been good at that.”

“This isn’t fucking happening.” Shura throws his hands in the air. “Andrey, you can’t seriously be considering this.”

Reluctantly, I force my eyes to my second’s. “She makes a good case, brother.”

“She is my woman!”

Katya stamps her foot on the ground. “I’m my own damn woman, Shura. Just because we sleep together doesn’t mean you own me.”

He steps towards her, getting right in her face. “Doesn’t it?”

I shift between them if only because the heat in their gaze has me worried about my office. “Shura, you’re my right-hand man and the closest thing I have to a true brother. If you’re against this, I won’t insist. But I do think Katya’s plan has a chance of working.”

Katya is crackling with outrage. “Who cares if he’s against this? Back me up, Andrey!”

“If it was Natalia wanting to do something like this, I’d feel the same way.” She opens her mouth to argue, but I hold up a hand. “Convince him to get on board with your plan, and I’ll agree to it. But if Shura says no, it’s dead in the water. That’s my final offer.”

She turns her ire on Shura, and I slip out of the room. As I shut the door, something shatters.

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