Page 58 of Dance of Madness

“Oh, is that what we’re calling it?” I mutter.

“I was an asshole,” he says plainly with a shrug. He turns to my father and lets his head hang a little. “I apologize for that, both to Milena and to you, sir,” he continues. “Profusely. It’s no excuse, but as I mentioned earlier, I don’t drink anymore. Despite my Russian blood, alcohol and I don’t play well together.”

“If only there’d been signs,” I mutter through an icy smile.

“Milena,” Papa finally interjects, arching his brow a bit more sternly. Then he pulls his gaze to Leo. “I appreciate a man who can admit his mistakes. And I’m sure my daughter appreciates the apology. However, I must tell you that Milena is not, and never will be, a bargaining chip for my business or my empire.”

Leo nods sagely. “Of course, of courseGodpodinKalishnik.”

I resist the urge to roll my eyes at his overly formal “Mr. Kalishnik.” Alcohol or no alcohol, Leo is clearly still a schmoozy fucking douchebag.

“If I may say, our families are both doing great things right now. You, of course, have the empire you’ve built with your bare hands. You sit on the Bratva High Council. The nameKalishnikcommands respect in every corner of our world.” He dips his chin again toward Papa.

Ass-kisser.

“…And as you may have heard, my own father has been hard at work the last few years, building the Debolsky name into greatness.”

Papa nods. “Vladimir has indeed been doing well recently.”

Leo grins, spreading his arms wide. “So. Two established bloodlines. Two strong empires. And Milena?” He turns to me, and my stomach churns as he steps closer. He takes my hand, and I resist the urge to either dry heave or yank it away.

Maybe both, followed by a kick in the nuts.

“Well…” Leo smiles warmly at me. “Families and empires aside, I would very much like to get to know you,” he says quietly. “For real. Without my horrible manners.”

He winks at me. I smile like I’ve just bitten into a lemon.

“I think we could be good together,” he continues. “We both know how this world works. An alliance between our fam?—”

“Is that what this is?” I cut him off. “An alliance?”

“Milena…” It’s my uncle who steps in this time, raising his hands to calm me down. “It’s…a smart proposition. One worth at least listening to. If our family and Vladimir’s were to join, you’d be part of something that would command the respect of the entire Bratva world.”

I frown at him before turning to my father. “Papa?—”

“Therehasbeen tension,” Levka adds casually, “among the Italians. Word is that the De Lucas and the Barones aren’t as tight as they once were. Nowwouldbe an opportune time to join our empire to another?—”

“Whatever rumor you’ve heard regarding the Barone and De Luca families, dear brother,” my father interjects smoothly, “is complete and utter bullshit. Lies spread by those who would see us rush recklessly into decisions that greatly affect my beloved daughter’slife.”

“Moy brat?—”

“Nyet, Levka,” Papa snaps with more iron in his voice that I’ve heard him use with my uncle in a long, long time. “With all due respect, Mr. Debolsky,” he growls, turning to Leo, “we’re done speaking about this right now. As I already said, my daughter is not a bargaining chip.”

“Of course not, sir,” Leo replies swiftly. “She’d be my equal. My partner…”

My stomach turns.

“If she’s not interested,” Papa says coldly, “then that’s the end of it.”

Leo lifts both palms in mock surrender. “Of course, Marko. I merely wanted to stop by to offer my apologies for my past behavior. And also…well, just to see if your lovely daughter felt like giving a guy like me a second chance.”

Spoiler: she doesn’t.

He smiles at Papa and Levka. “Again, I’m just here for a conversation.”

“Noted, Leo,” my father says with a stiff smile. “But I think we can consider this one at an end.”

“Of course, sir.”

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