Page 40 of Beautiful Beast

Anya is at the kitchen table, eating dinner alone, when I return home. She looks so sad and lonely, which makes me smile.

“Why do you look so chipper?” she grumbles, stuffing a piece of potato into her mouth.

“Because your father and I have a plan for your sister.”

Her fork clatters to the table. “What are you talking about?”

“Nothing is set in stone. But just like you, she could be used to make an alliance with another Bratva member. Your father didn’t want me telling you this.”

“So, then, why are you?”

“Because Nadia is your sister, and you clearly love her, so you deserve to know if anything happens to her.”

“Erik, you can’t marry her to someone. She’s only seventeen.”

“As I said, nothing is set in stone. I just wanted to tell you. I don’t believe in keeping secrets.”

“Why do I get the sense you think you’re being kind by telling me?”

I lean in closer to her. “Oh, Anya, I’m not being kind. You and your sister are just a means to an end. More power means more power, and I want that. I just thought you should know.”

“You’re a monster,” she hisses and throws her fork at me, but I dodge it.

“I never claimed to be otherwise. Your sister’s age is protecting her right now. But if she can be used to make an alliance, she will be. Just like you.”

Anya’s entire face crumples. I can tell she wants to cry, but she holds back.

I stand before her and, once again, feel a flicker of guilt. I push it aside and walk out of the kitchen. Anya can handle it. She’s a tough girl.

I only married her for power, not because I care about her.

I keep reminding myself I don’t care about her at all.

Sergei sets up the meeting with Ivan Romanov.

He’s in his forties, with a bald spot and a large gut. But he’s one of the most powerful men in the city.

“Come in, come in!” he says cheerfully, motioning us inside his expensive brownstone.

I spy a young girl on the couch in the front living room. “Your daughter?”

“Yes. Elena, go to your room.” His tone is kind, unlike the way Sergei speaks to Anya.

Elena bobs her head and leaves the room without complaint.

“Well-behaved daughter,” Sergei says. “She could teach my oldest how to behave.”

“Elena has always been a well-behaved girl. She’s only fourteen, but she’s already showing a lot of promise in her life.”

A pretty blonde woman appears in the doorway to the living room. “Ivan? Who’s this?” Unlike Ivan, this woman’s tone is clipped and cold.

“Erik Koslov and Sergei Belov. They’re here to discuss business, dear.”

She looks me over like I’m scum on her shoe before walking away.

“Your wife, I take it?”

“Yes. But I don’t want to talk about her. I want to talk about you two. Why are you here?”

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