Page 129 of Cashmere Cruelty

Wow. I had no idea the Bratva was this similar to the job market. Maybe going into crime isn’t easier after all. For girls, at least.

“What about after?” I try. “Let’s say you’revor.You have Manhattan wrapped around your little finger. Would kids be on the table then?”

Petra seems to entertain the thought. She looks amused by the tale I’ve spun, world domination and all. “Me? A mother?” she laughs. “That’s rich. Can you imagine?”

“Actually, I can.”

Petra’s face colors with surprise. Crap, did I say the wrong thing? Is this how my big mouth finally gets me killed?

But she doesn’t whip out her gun, only her phone. Then she starts checking the time, tapping her foot, fidgeting with the case. Almost like she’s embarrassed.

“Blyat’,” she mutters, glancing impatiently towards the studio Dr. Allan’s disappeared into. “Did your damn doctor fall asleep or what?”

I bite the inside of my cheek.

So even an assassin can blush.

38

MATVEY

Baby’s safe, April texts me later that afternoon.

I immediately let out a sigh of relief. On the inside, though, because Grisha and Yuri are here in the office with me and I’m in no mood for follow-up questions. But it’s still a weight off my chest.

After a bit, another text bubble pops up.Still cozy, though.

“Motya?”

My amusement must show on my face, because Yuri’s staring at me like I’ve suddenly suffered a stroke.

“Yurochka’s idea isn’t half-bad,” Grisha summarizes for my benefit. Lately, my third has been able to tell at a glance when I’ve missed an entire chunk out of a conversation. With how distracted I’ve been in the past few weeks, it’s a miracle I’ve been able to make it through meetings at all. “Expanding in the Middle East would certainly build a reputation for the Jupiter Hotels’ name.”

I hum in approval. “It would be quite an investment.”

Under the table, I type a reply:Good.I press send. Then, on a whim, I add,I trust Petra’s been behaving.

My screen lights up with April’s answer moments later. It’s a picture, blurry and clearly snatched against the subject’s will. Petra’s arm is outstretched towards the phone, her face scrunched up in annoyance, while April’s grinning in the corner and making a peace sign.

Caption:Hasn’t knifed me yet!

“—making it a medium-term investment with guaranteed returns,” Yuri wraps up.

Shit.I spaced out again. What a fucking hassle. “Mm.”

“It would also give thevoryan alternate project to focus on,” Yuri adds. “To take their minds off of…”

He doesn’t need to say it. The words “The D.C. Acquisition”are seared on everybody’s mind.

“Thevorywill focus on what I tell them to,” I half-snarl. “I don’t intend to babysit them with side quests.”

That said, when I finally glance at the report in my hands, I realize the numbers look good. More than good, in fact.

Besides, Yuri showed initiative. That’s something to be encouraged, not punished. Everypakhanworth their salt knows this much.

“Make it three years.”

“What?”

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