Page 54 of Inked Athena

In the end, I do all I can do. I sit down in the damp, dark sand and sigh. “Okay, Grams. I promise.”

20

SAMUIL

The meeting drags into its ninetieth fucking minute, and all I can focus on is the piece of lettuce wedged between Jonathan Beckett’s front teeth. He’s flicked his tongue across them four times now, missing the green intruder with each pass. I’m counting. It’s become a game—the only entertainment in this suffocating private dining room where old men come to stroke their egos and pretend the glory days of the Soviet Union aren’t long dead.

I drain another finger of vodka, grateful for the burn. Maybe if I get drunk enough, this will become bearable.

“I’m throwing a party next week,” Mr. Beckett says, his tongue once again missing the bit of lettuce. “Very exclusive. I would’ve invited you sooner, but you’ve been a hard man to track down.”

There’s an unspoken question there that I have no intention of answering.

“I’ll be out of town,” I reply shortly.

His wine glass wobbles as he blinks at me, nearly slipping from his grasp before a waiter materializes to refill it. “You’re not coming?”

I used to be better at this—the smiling, the drinking, the endless fucking small talk. I could endure it all while keeping my eyes on the prize: money, security, power. The holy trinity I’ve pursued my entire life.

Now, I look at this man across from me, and all I can think is,Nova. Nova. Nova.

If I’m going to spend another week away from her, it’s not going to be wasted stroking the ego of Jonathan Beckett and his friends at a fucking cocktail party.

“Youhaveto be there,” he blathers on before I can say anything. “I’m flying in a chef from Amsterdam, and the entertainment…” He lets out a heinous moan that sets my teeth on edge. “The models I’m bringing in will be very entertaining. You’ll have first choice.”

The offer of sex with random women Beckett has paid to be there wouldn’t have tempted me even before Nova. But now, it’s as repulsive as the food lodged between his teeth.

“Tempting,” I say. “But no.”

The man frowns like nothing has ever been more confusing than someone refusing his company. I would’ve thought it would be a normal enough occurrence for him by now, but it’s remarkable what money can convince people to put up with. I’m sure sex isn’t the only companionship he’s paying for, whether he knows it or not.

Suddenly, his eyes cast over my shoulder. “Ah, well, if you can’t make it, perhaps the elder Litvinov can. Let’s ask him.”

My fist tightens around my tumbler of vodka. “My father doesn’t go out much.”

“He’s out today,” Beckett croons, looking far too pleased with himself. “And he’s coming this way.”

Fuck.

I keep my spine straight, refusing to turn until Jonathan has already extended his hand to my father, the two of them shaking over my shoulder. Only then do I look, meeting my father’s cold blue eyes as they lock onto mine with predatory interest.

I keep my spine straight, refusing to turn until Jonathan has already extended his hand to my father, the two of them shaking over my shoulder. Only then do I look, meeting my father’s cold blue eyes as they lock onto mine with predatory interest.

We both know that’s bullshit.

“Please, take my seat, Leonid.” Beckett rises and steps away from the table, pulling his chair out for my father. “I lost track of time with your son and have another meeting to attend. I’m afraid I’m already late.”

My father nods and lowers himself into the offered chair like a king taking up his throne. “Don’t let us keep you, then.”

Beckett shakes his hand again. “You’re working the boy too hard, Leonid. He has no time for parties and beautiful women, apparently.”

Leonid’s gaze veers lazily to me. “That’s news to me.”

Once Beckett is whisked away by his security team, Leonid’s smile withers and dies on his face. “Odious man. Did you see the food in his teeth?”

I keep my own face utterly impassive. I don’t want to give my father any edge to use against me. “He brings in enough money for us that I endure the occasional meal to keep him happy.”

“I stopped doing that kind of grunt work a long time ago.”

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