Page 107 of Cashmere Ruin

I can’t believe my ears. “I—Yes. Yes, absolutely. And it’s already in your size, so we would only have to make minor adjustments…”

The rest of the conversation flows easily. I can’t get over how excited Ms. Pierce is about this dress. A dress thatImade.

Whatever bitterness Anne’s stunt had left in my mouth, it turns instantly sweet. By the time we get off the phone, my anxiety has melted. All I can feel is excitement.

“I take it you know what you’re gonna do?” Matvey asks in my ear, coming up behind me.

I smile. For the first time since this whole thing began, I give a big, genuine smile. “Yeah. I do.”

Then I unveil the dress.

Petra’s eyes widen. “That’s…”

Huge. Princess-y. A pure white bonbon.“My piece.”

It’s only half-done, but that’s okay. For once, this is a good thing. I’m not going to make a princess dress anyway.

I’m going to make somethingnew.

“Wanna put this on?”

Petra looks horrified. “Do I have a choice?”

I grin. “Not really.”

Then I rip the skirt in half.

33

MATVEY

After the balcony incident, I’ve been wary of leaving April alone. I came so close to losing her—I don’t even want to think about what it would be like to come home and find it empty a second time. Just me, May, and an endless void to fill.

And a cat that can’t stand the sight of me, but that’s a different story.

So when Vlad demanded another round of drinks with his son-in-law, I almost declined. I almost made up some work-related emergency—my legit business, because otherwise he’d know I was lying—and shut myself back in the penthouse, away from the chaos my Bratva has been lately.

But then April started working again.

This past day and a half, it’s like someone lit a fire under her. Her wicked stepbitches have no idea what’s going to hit them. For once, they actually did something useful with their lives, even if their intentions were far less than noble.

Of course, if April loses, I’ll pay them a midnight visit to balance the scales.

The point is, I can’t picture that happening. Not with how hard she’s been working. And her eyes—it’s like there’s life again in there. Like there’slightagain in there.

That’s the only reason I accepted Vlad’s invite. Well, that and the fact that Petra’s staying with her, even if she’s currently mummified in a thousand layers of chiffon.

“You got this?” I ask Grisha before leaving.

My third looks at me with pleading eyes. In his arms, May starts pulling on his beard. “I believe I’ve got this,” he says uncertainly.

Who would’ve thought?So Grisha’s got a gap in his resume after all.

I clap him on the shoulder and make my way out to the car. Tonight, it’s Yuri who drives me.

“How have things been at work?” I ask as we take off.

“Tense,” he admits. “But no one’s thinking of rebelling anymore. After Ivan…”

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