Page 78 of Split

The gentle lilt of orchestral music underscores the lively chatter as more of our guests spill into the manor’s ballroom through the wide double-doors, finely dressed and eager to mingle. This party would probably be a lot more fun if I actually knew more than a handful of the people in this room, but then again, even if I did, I doubt I’d be able to let loose and enjoy it. My palms are sweating, my stomach in knots, and even though I’m trying not to, I keep looking toward those doors with trepidation as I await my father’s arrival.

“So you’re with both of them?” Cherie asks, prompting me to return my attention to her.

“Yeah, I guess I am,” I reply sheepishly, taking a small sip of my champagne. “I know it’s a little unconventional, but…”

“Girl, that’s hot as fuck,” she blurts, tossing her dark hair back and fanning herself with her designer clutch. “I’m jealous. LandingoneVolkov brother is like hitting the lottery, butboth?”

“Yeah, about that,” I murmur, narrowing my eyes. “Why didn’t you ever mention that Roman had an identical twin?”

She flinches back, wrinkling her nose. “Didn’t I?”

“No, you definitely didn’t,” I deadpan.

Cherie shrugs, her plump lips curling into a smile. “Well hey, you were the one living with them, it was a fair assumption you knew!”

Anton comes up behind her, wrapping his arms around her waist and hooking his chin over her shoulder. “Come,malishka, I want to introduce you to someone,” he croons in her ear, her mouth splitting into a wide grin.

“You go,” I say, tossing back the rest of my champagne and brandishing the empty glass. “I’m gonna grab another drink.”

As Anton whisks Cherie across the room, I head for the nearest bar, swiping another full glass of champagne from a tray on the side and abandoning my empty flute. I turn back around and smile when I spot Niko approaching, sharply dressed in a black tuxedo with a stunning redhead on his arm.

“Good evening, Mrs. Volkov,” he greets with a respectful tip of his head.

“Good evening, Niko,” I reply, my smile deepening as I nod to his date. “Who’s the pretty girl?”

“Allow me to introduce you to my fiancé, Saskia,” he declares.

“Fiancé?” I echo, arching a brow as I extend a hand in her direction. “You are a very lucky woman.”

“I’m the lucky one,” Niko says with a grin, gazing down at her adoringly as the two of us shake hands.

In hindsight, it never would’ve worked with him. He’s too sweet. As it turns out, I prefer hand necklaces over pearls.

After exchanging pleasantries with the two of them, I meander through the crowd, keeping a watchful eye on the doorway as I pace the room. My father should’ve been here by now. The party started half an hour ago, and he’s nothing short of punctual.

What if someone tipped him off?

“Where have you been, wife?” Roman growls as he comes up behind me, banding an arm around my waist and yanking me back into his chest.

“Making out with that guy,” I joke, tipping my champagne glass in the direction of a handsome stranger.

Roman releases his grip around my waist, turning me to face him. “I sincerely hope you didn’t do anything with him,” he says, pinning me with a harsh stare.

“And what if I did?” I challenge, lifting my chin as I raise my champagne flute to my lips. “He’s hot.” I take a sip, knowing I’m playing with fire and craving the burn.

“He’s your second cousin.”

I spit out my champagne, coughing and sputtering as I wipe at my mouth with a wrist.

The corner of Roman’s mouth ticks up in amusement as he watches me struggle to recover my composure. “He’s the next blood relative in the Sorokin line, so he’ll be taking your father’s place after tonight,” he informs me as I smooth my hair and draw a deep breath.

“About that,” I murmur, stepping in closer and peering up at him through my eyelashes. “Are you sure he’s coming?”

“Trust me, he won’t miss it. If not for networking, then for the opportunity to finish what he sent his lawn boy here to do. He’s as paranoid as he is greedy. And speaking of…” Roman’s gaze lifts as he trails off.

I immediately whip around to look toward the doors, my father strolling over the threshold and into the ballroom with his beast of a second at his back. Vlad is intimidating to look at– a former professional fighter, stacked with muscle– but he’s as dumb as he is massive. Though he’s trained to kill and is really more of a bodyguard than a second-in-command, he’s no match for my men.

My father’s dark, calculating eyes scan over the room, a brittle smile creasing his lips as he spots me and begins striding in my direction.

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