Page 118 of Born in Depravity

“Of course,” he replied, his voice off. I stood calmly, staring back at him. He shifted on his feet, clearly uncomfortable.

Men like Alyosha weren’t born for leadership roles. The only reason he’d made it up this high in rank was because he was a little snake. He would have sold his wife if it got him more power. It was just as well that she hated his guts.

“It’s just as well,” he added. “I don’t think you really need to go looking for women when you have the little princess locked away in the room.”

I almost gutted him right then and there for even thinking he had the right to mention her with his filthy lips. I said nothing.

He babbled on. “Does she have some golden pussy? I noticed Nikolay and Mikhail have been spending a lot of time in that room.”

It wasn’t a secret in my circle that my brothers and I liked to share a woman. But Catalina …

Fuck. She was different. So fucking different, and I didn’t know why.

“Are you checking up on us?” I asked my voice light.

“Of course not,Pakhan.” The word sounded like a curse coming from his mouth. If he wasn’t careful, I would see all the hatred he bore for me in his eyes. The hatred and envy for my position. “But this is my house, and it wouldn’t do me any good if I don’t keep an eye on the things happening around my house. And after what you’ve done to George—”

“The bastard who went into her room knowing full well he wasn’t supposed to? Be very careful with your next words, Petrov. If you defend someone who disrespected me, I might see that as an act of disloyalty.”

His eyes widened.

“Forgive me,Pakhan,” he quickly stuttered, bowing his head slightly. He shouldn’t look away from me. “I meant no disrespect. I am simply saying that my men have taken notice of it, that’s all.”

“My men.”

“What was that?”

“They’re my men. Or are they not? Since you work under me, your men are my men.” I waited a beat, taking him in, before I added, “Right?”

I wasn’t asking a question. And he knew that, too. His eyes hardened a bit before he forced himself to keep his expression neutral.

“Right, of course. Your men.”

I wondered how bitter the words tasted coming out of his mouth.

I knew better than to think Petrov’s men were loyal to me. To my cause.

Katherine sniggered. “I think we should have the little princess come out to play.”

Her hard eyes glinted, telling me exactly what kind of play she was thinking about.

Unlike the other women in this house, Katherine wasn’t here against her will. In fact, she probably enjoyed the darkness, the violence, and the depravity of it all a little too much.

Petrov snapped his fingers. “I think that’s an excellent idea. You know, Henry Ramos is here. I’m throwing a dinner party. What do you say,Pakhan? Would you doyourmen the honor and bring out your latest toy to play?”

Henry Ramos. The name sounded familiar to me, but I couldn’t remember where I had heard of it before.

I didn’t answer him right away. I knew he was trying to gauge just how much Catalina meant to me. If I showed too much, she could be used as a pawn against me. If I showed too little, they would think she was fair game.

“Of course.” I smiled at him, taking a step forward. He took one small step back before he stopped himself. “Tomorrow night, is it?”

He nodded.

I cupped his cheek, and fucking loved it when he flinched. My smile widened. “I’ll see you, boy.”

Then I walked away, ignoring the way Katherine was looking at me, and ignoring the fact that his face was turning red from the insult. Petrov was old enough to be my father.

Like him, my father was a real bastard.

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