Page 178 of Lethal Legacy

Oh, thank Christ.

I almost sag with relief.

“I take it you had some enlightening conversations with Masha,” I say dryly.

“If you mean that she didn’t shut up about fuckingLucefrom the moment I picked her up, then yes. And since when have the children had the access code for your penthouse?”

“Since Lucia started spending her nights in it.” I give her an evil smile.

“Well, then.” Inger very deliberately lights another cigarette, a small, hard smile playing about her mouth. “Since we’re clearly done with games, we can have a proper conversation.” She lowers the window an inch and blows smoke out of it. “I want all three of my children at that benefit tomorrow night, Roman. My new cosmetics contract is for an all-natural line marketed at the traditional wife demographic. I’m still negotiating my rate, and I need to look the part. That means pap shots at the charity ball with all three children front and center.”

I open my mouth to argue. She shakes her head impatiently. “Clearly the only way I’ll get Masha to the ball without a screaming fit is if your darlingLuceis there, so bring the nanny with you. Although I suggest you take her shopping first. It will be humiliating enough for her to be socially way out of her depth. The least you can do is buy her a decent dress.”

“Wait.” I stare at her. “You want me to bringLucia to the ball?”

“I want my three children at that ball, Roman, which is the point. I need them there, and I need them to be perfect. If that means the nanny comes too, then so be it.”

“And that’s it?” I eye her warily. “What happens after the ball?”

Inger shrugs. “I go back to the US for my new contract. You bring the kids out for a few days over the summer, so I can get some pap shots. Your security detail, your schedule, just as you said.” Her eyes narrow. “But I’ll need a bigger allowance than what you’ve been paying me.Muchbigger. And I’ll expect your little nanny to make sure the kids are picture-perfect when I need them to be.”

“No more surprise visits. And I approve every request from now on.”

Inger scowls.

“I’ll fall in with your rules, Roman. I won’t fight you over the children. I’ll even be nice to that damn nanny. Just make sure she gets all three kids there tomorrow night, dressed, smiling, and ready to cooperate.” The limo glides to a halt in front of her hotel. “Do we have a deal?”

My phone vibrates in my lap. It’s Dimitry. All I want to do is get the fuck back to Mercura.

Not to mention find out what the hell Lucia was playing at this afternoon.

“Fine,” I say curtly.

Inger smiles like the cat that got the cream. “I’ll see you tomorrow night, Roman.”

“You need to get up here immediately.” Dimitry doesn’t even bother saying hello.

“I’m on my way.” I end the call.

“To the lab,” I order the driver. “Fast as you can.” I sit back in the limo, eyeing the Scotch bottle. But booze isn’t on the agenda tonight. Not with the amount of unanswered questions I have, about both Mercura and Lucia.

My phone lights up again, this time with Nikolai’s name. I swear aloud.Will this fucking day ever end?

“Nikolai.” I don’t attempt to soften my tone. “Nice of you to bless us with your presence.”

“Fuck off, Roman.” He sounds unusually cheerful. “I needed a holiday. And besides, the publicity in Miami got Cádiz even more funding. We’re making decent coin out of it now.”

“Is that so.” I couldn’t give a shit. Nikolai’s little games are the least of my problems right now.

“I’m calling to let you know that Inger’s asked me to escort Lucia to that ball tomorrow night. I wanted to clear it with you first.”

Fucking Inger.

I knew she wouldn’t take the Lucia thing lying down. This is exactly the kind of shit I should have expected. She might tolerate Lucia’s presence at the ball, but she’s going to make damn sure Lucia knows her place.

Well, two can play at that game.

“Good of you to let me know, Nicky. Be at the kids’ apartment by seven. We’re all going together.”

---