Page 74 of Ruthless Bonds

“Feeling out of your league? Poor thing.” Her voice dripped with a pretend sweetness that just ignited my rage all over again. She placed her purse on the sink, pulled out her lipstick.

I smiled, accepting the towel from the attendant. “Enjoying chasing someone you’ll never get?” I leaned against the counter.

Her smile faltered as she glared at me. “You’re just a phase, darling. Kreos will tire of you soon enough. And then he’ll come for me.”

“Whatever helps you sleep at night.” I chuckled.

She stepped closer, her eyes blazing with fire. “I’ve known Kreos for years. I was the one who was supposed to marry him, not some low-class bartender.”

“And yet here I am about to become hiswife, while you’re over there looking like a desperate groupie.” I held out my hand, admiring my ring. “Your life must be really sad.”

She balled her hands into fists. “You better be careful, or I’ll—”

In one fluid motion, I grabbed the silver tongs from the ice bucket and pressed the clawed edges against her throat. “You’ll what, Katia?” I let the claws graze against her skin, and she gasped. “Let me be crystal clear. Touch Kreos again, and I’ll show you exactly how creative I can be with these ice tongs.” I pressed deeper, the claws digging into the delicate skin of her throat. Her breath hitched as she met my gaze.

“You’re insane,” she whispered, but her voice trembled slightly.

“And it would be in your best interest to remember that.” I handed the tongs to the attendant, who could barely contain her smile.

I left Katia in the bathroom and headed back to the table. Kreos, Gavriil, and Viktor had returned and the dessert was waiting for us. Kreos wouldn’t take his eyes off of me, but I wasn’t in the mood for any of his questions. The rest of dinner went about as smoothly as expected, with Evelina drinking way too much and complaining about not being able to stay at Kreos’ estate.

On the car ride home, Kreos and Gavriil were deep in conversation, but I couldn’t understand anything they were saying. I would have to learn Russian if we were going to stick around here.

But we’re not, remember?

When we got home, Kreos took my hand, and we walked to his office. Gavriil handed him a black binderthat Viktor had given him, then left us. I was still fuming over the whole incident with Katia, but I knew I shouldn’t let it get to me.

He handed me a crystal tumbler of Scotch, studying me over the rim of his own glass. “Care to explain why you’re so angry? Was it my mother?”

Before I could respond, he moved behind his desk, pressing something that triggered a panel on the wall to slide. A safe was hidden there, making the one in our room look like a piggy bank. I stepped closer, unable to hide my curiosity. “What’s in there?” From where I stood, I could see tablets, flash drives, and other binders.

“Curious little kitten,” he murmured. He placed the binder inside, next to similar-looking ones. “Information about certain business dealings. You could say… all my darkest secrets, and now my father’s too.” The safe closed with a click as he turned to face me.

“Speaking of secrets”—I set my glass down, crossing my arms over my chest—“are we going to discuss how you let Katia throw herself at you?”

His eyes darkened as he stalked over to me. “Is that what has you so heated,kotic? Seeing another woman’s hands on me?”

“Well, yeah. Your mother said—”

“My mother,” he cut me off as he closed the distance between us, “is a snake who poisoned her own marriage with hate and numerous affairs. I am not my father, and you are nothing like my mother.” He weaved his fingers through my hair, tugging my head back. “I’m sorry for allowing Katia to touch what belongs to you.” His lips were soft as they brushed against mine, my anger suddenly forgotten.

I melted into his touch, getting lost in his kissesas they became more urgent.

“Wait,” I panted, placing my hands on his chest. “There’s something else.” I nibbled on my bottom lip, not sure how to approach the subject. “I thought you said you didn’t tell anyone except Gavriil about the assassination attempt six years ago.”

His expression shifted immediately. “I didn’t. Why?”

I took a deep breath. “Your mother… I think she knows. She said something at dinner. But if you didn’t tell her…”

“Then she orchestrated it.” His jaw ticked, the room suddenly seeming a lot colder. “Tell me everything she said. Word for word.”

I repeated the conversation, beginning right when the three of them had left the table. Kreos’ nostrils flared when I mentioned the mistress, but I didn’t tell him anything about almost stabbing Katia with the ice tongs.

“Thank you for telling me,kotic.” He kissed me. “I’ll handle it. I’ll take care of everything.”

That was kind of what I was worried about.

If his mother had tried to kill him, would she try again?

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