Page 151 of Ruby Mercy

Sasha’s neck turns red. I can see veins bulging out of his skin. “‘Your woman’ is a fucking maid. A waitress. We’re all here to build alliances, aren’t we? Why can’t you chill the fuck out and let me have my fun? It would go a long way to smooth things over between us. Instead, you’re choosing a servant over me.”

It’s disgusting, but Sasha isn’t so far from the reality of how things work in our world. Leonid Kozlov offered me his only daughter to keep our alliance strong, despite the fact he knew I’d never love her. Men like them view women as disposable. Objects to be used and traded for business or pleasure.

I refuse to be like them. Maybe once upon a time, I was. Not anymore, though. And never again.

Because of Rayne.

“I’m not choosing a servant over you,” I pronounce. “Though I would. Gladly. Many times over. Any member of my staff is worth a thousand of you.”

Sasha lets out a bitter laugh. “So much for alliances. It seems Kirill is going against the spirit of the event, Leonid. What do you think about—”

“I’m not finished,” I bark.

A hush falls over the room. Slowly, Sasha turns back to me and swipes his arm across his forehead, smearing the blood into his hairline.

“I’d choose any servant over you, but that isn’t what happened here today.” I blindly reach an open hand behind me, knowing what I will find. Sure enough, a second later, I feel the familiar warmth of Rayne’s fingers slipping into my palm. I pull her to stand next to me. “I chose the mother of my child over you.”

A gasp whispers through the crowd. Sasha looks from me to Rayne and back again. This time, his eyes on Rayne don’t bother me. Because this time, I see the fear in them.

“Rayne is not my maid or a waitress.” I turn to Leonid, speaking pointedly. “She isn’t my mistress, either. She is the woman I love and the mother of my child. From this moment on, she’ll be treated with the respect those titles deserve.”

Her hand tightens around mine. I squeeze back just as firmly.

Sasha sucks in his cheeks and stares at me. He’s trying to figure out how he can respond and save face, but there is only one solution.

Thankfully, Leonid recognizes that.

“Apologize, Sasha,” he says, sidling up to Sasha. He slaps the kid on the back. “Apologize and eat crow before Kirill feeds you your own ass.”

This time, the quiet laughter that moves through the crowd doesn’t bother me.

Sasha’s entire body is red as he looks into my eyes. “I’m sorry.”

“That’s a nice start,” I say. “Now, maintain that apologetic posture for the next twenty years or so. Maybe I’ll forgive your son by the time he comes around. That is, if you can find a woman willing to stomach your particular brand of poison.”

He clenches his jaw, but before he can say anything stupid, Leonid pushes him towards the door. “Let’s go outside. Your father will haunt me from the grave if I don’t talk some fucking sense to you.” He waves a hand over his head, gesturing to the rest of the party. “Eat, drink, and be merry, everyone. Your host will return!”

Everyone pretends to go back to their business, but I feel their attention on us. I pull Rayne back through the double doors behind us. As soon as we’re in the small space, though, I realize what a mistake it is.

The lamp is shattered on the ground, ceramic shards littered across the carpet. The couch is sitting at an awkward angle. Did Sasha shove that aside to get to Rayne? Did they struggle? Was I too late?

“Hey.” Rayne moves around me and grabs my face. The way her eyes bore into mine, I know she can read my mind. “I’m fine. I fought him off.”

I blow out a breath between clenched teeth. “I should have been here.”

“You can’t be everywhere. There were a lot of people in that room. It all happened in a few seconds.”

“I should have beenhere.” I bring our joined hands up into the space between us. “You shouldn’t have been on the other side of the room serving drinks; you should have been standing by my side.”

“I am now.” She stretches onto her toes and kisses me. This time, there’s nothing gentle about it. I wrap an arm around her waist and haul her against me. I pour all of my frustration into the kiss. I nip at her lower lip and swallow her groan of passion like I might be able to brand her with some invisible seal to let everyone know she ismine.

I had no intention of letting this moment carry me away, but with Rayne in my arms like this, I’m not sure I can stop. I stroke my hand over her hip to the exposed skin of her thigh. “This dress is deadly. What were you thinking wearing this?”

She smiles against my mouth. “I was thinking wearing it would be a good way to end up exactly like this.”

Her hips mold to mine, and I grip a handful of her backside.

Then someone clears their throat from the doorway, and Rayne jumps away in surprise. “Oh.”

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