Page 132 of Cashmere Cruelty

But if you go, you won’t make it to family dinner.

The thought makes me beyond furious. When has April become more important than my business? My dream?

“Fine,” I accept at last. “But you’re paying.”

Vlad’s face breaks into a sly grin. “I wouldn’t have it any other way,syn.”

On my way down, I type a quick text to April.Can’t make it tonight. Something came up.

Hopefully, Petra can hold down the fort a little longer.

39

APRIL

I stare down at the text that just made my phone light up.

Can’t make it tonight. Something came up.

Huh. That’s weird. Ever since I came here, Matvey hasn’t missed a single family dinner. It’s that important to him. If he’s missing it now, he must have a good reason.

I try to swallow down the tiny lump in my throat. Why am I disappointed? Dear God, why am Isad? When did I turn into a dog with separation anxiety?

Shaking off the sensation, I type a quick reply.Hope everything’s okay! No problem for dinner.Then, feeling a little bold, I add:You’ll just have to make it up to me.

I nearly tag on a heart emoji, then slap myself mentally.Girl, what the hell? Play it cool for once in your life.

“Why are you having a stroke?”

I jump. While I wasn’t paying attention, Petra snuck up all the way behind me.Jeez, wear a bell!

Before I can gather my wits, she peers over my shoulder. Her face scrunches up. “‘Something came up’?” she parrots.

“I’m sure it’s nothing,” I reassure her. I get the feeling it’s as much for my benefit as it is for hers, but I quickly swat at that crumb of self-awareness.

She scoffs. “It’s overtime, is what it is. Thatmudak.”

Not for the first time, I wonder if the Russian language’s completely made up of swear words. “You guys don’t have to stay,” I offer. “If you’re busy…”

“Of course I’m busy.”

Busy raiding my pantry?I throw a glance at Lena and Julia. I still haven’t managed to figure out which of Petra’s bodyguards is which—nametags would be a wonderful addition to the uniform—but if there’s another way they’re completely alike aside from their appearances, it’s their eating habits.

Which seem to includeeverything.

Hey, I’m not one to judge. All that muscle can’t come for free. It’s just that I was actually planning to eat, too.

Thank God for room service. And Matvey’s bottomless wallet.

Next to me, Petra’s still tapping her foot, but she also isn’t leaving. Which I take as a sign that either she’s not as busy as she claims, or that she can’t.Matvey probably swore her to babysitting duty. All of a sudden, I’m feeling like a kid whose parents’ date night is stretching out longer than they’ve paid for.

So I blurt out, “Wanna stay for dinner?”

Petra looks at me like I’ve gone mad. “Excuse me?”

“I mean—” I gesture towards the twins. “—they’ve already started. We could order room service?”

“Dinner,” Petra repeats flatly. “With you.”

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