Page 67 of Luka

“I’m kidding.” He waves a hand. “She was a prostitute, and I was just a man on a business trip, looking for a local to show me around. Imagine my surprise when?—”

“Enough,” his mother says, her pink-painted lips pinching with a scowl.

Silverware clatters as people pick up forks and knives and start on the lamb, but I take a moment to peer at Luka. He doesn’t meet my eyes, and I’m glad for it. I’m struck by how hard his face looks. Even when Aly starts talking to Vitaly, her tone energized like she’s coming to life, Luka doesn’t show the slightest bit of relief. He just looks hardened.

I was wrong. He would do fine in my world.

I pick at the lamb, grateful that no one is speaking to me. I try to feel Luka’s panic or nerves, but there’s nothing. I almost wonder if he was faking it upstairs. Maybe all his anxiety was due to his brother’s impending arrival?

“Vitaly told me you walked the property today,” Mila says to me before bringing her wine glass to her lips. “Tomorrow, you’ll have to let me show you around more.”

No thanks.

I nod. “I’d like that.” An awkwardness forms between us, and I hurry to break it. “I’ve never seen a garden as exquisite as yours.”

I stab a piece of lamb but hesitate to bring it to my lips. Mila’s face reddens with a blush, and when she puts a carrot into her mouth, I wonder if it’s an escape from having to respond.

I said the wrong thing, didn’t I?

Luka’s mother scoffs.

“Don’t,” Luka says to her, his voice low with a warning. “It was an honest mistake.”

She turns to Vitaly without acknowledging Luka. “I can’t believe you haven’t burned that thing down.”

When I glance at Vitaly, my throat closes.

The other Pakhan. It was the other Pakhan’s. Why do I keep mentioning it?

Because it truly is magnificent, and I have nothing else to say to these people.

Vitaly doesn’t answer. Instead, he addressesme. “So what does your family think of Luka?”

Luka snorts, and if I wasn’t struck by having to speak to the Pakhan, I might find it amusing along with him.

“He hasn’t met them.”

Vitaly’s brow raises. “Oh?”

I shrug. “I don’t speak to my parents much. And, to be honest, I don’t think they’d approve.”

Aly’s head snapping toward me catches my attention. Her face is no longer blank. It’s pinched with anger. “Are you seriously suggesting my son isn’t good enough for you?”

I rear back, my lips parting. “N-no. Of course not. I just meant?—”

“Lucia iswaytoo good for me,” Luka says.

I turn to meet his eyes, and his lips quirk just the slightest bit. It cuts through the chill Aly throws my way. A single blade of grass pushing through a layer of frost. He winks.

“What is it that youmeant?” Aly asks.

I stutter out a nervous laugh. “Just that… I mean, you know…” I gesture around. “He’s a criminal. I don’t think most parents would approve of criminals.”

“Very true.” Mila nods. “Plus, Luka’s an asshole.”

Vitaly chuckles, making Mila smile, but Aly’s lips don’t so much as twitch.

“I see,” Aly says, sitting back in her chair and pushing her plate away. “I suppose it’s only natural for parents to want a mate who will fit into their child’s life.”

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