Page 145 of Ruby Mercy

She ignores me. “I want a water with four ice cubes and a lemon wedge on the rim.”

I again want to point her to the bar, but there is no reason. Sometimes, it’s safer to go with the current sweeping you away than try to fight it. I’ll save my energy for something more dire if it comes along. Hopefully, it doesn’t.

I stand tall and give her a sickeningly sweet smile. “Fine. I even promise not to spit in it this time.”

Disgust curls her upper lip and she starts to say something, but then her eyes catch on my neck. Her brows pinch together and her mouth goes slack. “Where did you get that?”

I reach for my mother’s locket around my neck. “It’s just a necklace.”

“I didn’t ask what it was. I asked where you got it.” Her voice is crackling with venom.

“It was my mother’s. She gave it to me when she died.”

“Who did she get it from?”

Yuliana thinks the locket is a princess necklace, but half of the jewelry she wears is made from candy, so I’m not sure we can account for taste where she is concerned. Viktoria is dripping with jewels worth ten times what my necklace is worth, so what does she care about an old locket?

“Why do you care?” I ask, genuinely curious.

Viktoria blinks and a fog seems to clear. She takes a step back and shakes her head. “Never mind. Bring me my drink immediately. I’ll be waiting.”

Then she turns on her heel and stomps off.

“Bizarre,” I mutter.

She’s probably just trying to throw me off before I wander into the center of the party to serve her. I’m sure she has some stunt planned—some drink to spill or an appetizer to smash into my dress.

I really am going to bring Viktoria her drink, but I need a minute to—well, I just need a minute.

I head towards the kitchen, but at the last second, I take a right and duck through a set of double French doors. Dark curtains hang over the glass. The room is one of the many private spaces Leonid mentioned earlier in the day. Thankfully, it’s empty now, so I lean back against the wall and blow out a breath.

I should have asked when this thing would end. I told the babysitter I’d be home by midnight, but we’ve been here over an hour and we’re still in the cocktails and appetizers portion of the evening. Plus, my dress seems to be growing tighter. At this rate, I’ll bust out of it by dessert.

I lean over and grab the bottom of the dress, shimmying it as best I can down my thighs. The slit running up my leg opens even wider and gravity is helping my boobs fall out of the top even more.

“If you’re going for modesty, you’re making it worse.”

I didn’t hear anyone walk into the room, so I jolt at the surprise voice. Then I get a look at the owner of the voice and jolt again.

I should’ve known he’d find me here.

51

RAYNE

Sasha Lenin is standing in the doorway with a drink and a smirk that tells me he knows exactly who I am.

“Leave it to Leonid to camouflage the waitstaff amongst the guests,” he says with an eye roll, stepping even further into the small room. “Rumor has it one of his four current mistresses used to be a waitress. If he makes you an offer, I suggest you decline. A man that old can’t be any good in bed, no matter how nice the money is.”

I nod dumbly and stare at the floor between us.

Kirill’s voice is an ominous rumble in the back of my head.Keep your head down.

“You can look at the floor all you want, sweetheart. I remember you.”

I look up, and Sasha’s expression has turned sinister. His eyes scrape over my body, lingering at all the places where skin is showing. I feel his gaze pricking into me like needlepoints, sharp and uncomfortable.

“We’ve met before?”

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