Page 37 of Shades of Loyalty
Whether these people are his friends or enemies, I know my role. Look pretty. Smile. That’s what he expects of me.
Or at least, that’s what I thought.
Because as we stop in front of them, his friend’s wife doesn’t seem to have a poker face on.
Her smile is genuine. And sobeautiful.
Chapter Seventeen
Daniel
Yuri Volkov.The man I consider one of my best business partners. And yet, every time we meet, there’s a weird and eerie tension in the air between us.
And we both seem to be the only ones who notice.
“Good evening, Caruso,” Yuri is the first to speak. I give him and his wife a gentle smile, bending down to kiss his wife’s hand firmly.
“Good evening, Volkov. Good evening, Katya,” I say gently before I get up again, looking to my side where Jennifer is standing.
She seems uncertain. Scared, even. Her smile is anything but real, and while she thinks she has her poker face on, we all know it’s fake.
“That’s Jennifer,” I introduce her. “Jennifer, meet my friend Yuri Volkov and his wife, Katarina Volkov.”
“Just call me Katya,” his wife gently states, observing Jennifer. I can tell she’s not sure yet what to think of her. But then again, she hasn’t liked any of the women I’ve brought to our meetings before. And, well… I can’t blame her for that.
“Jennifer is the new nurse for our family. And she’s doing such a great job,” I continue, trying to lighten the mood.
Katya’s eyes finally light up, probably with hope. After all, Jennifer is not just some floozy.
“Oh, really? Tell me more! But please, sit down first, will you two?” Katya smiles politely.
Jennifer’s smile turns genuine, for the second time tonight. I sigh quietly, hoping nobody notices. It’s a huge relief to see her enjoying herself.
Even if it’s just for a minute.
I help Jennifer take a seat before sitting down next to her. While Katya and Jennifer face each other, Yuri and I do the same.
But the atmosphere between us couldn’t be more different.
I’ve said it before: Yuri and I are not enemies. Our families have been allies forever. But God… there’s this fucking tension.
Neither of us wants to start a war. And while the chance of it happening is low, it’s never zero.
It never has been, and it never will be.
“So, how’s married life going?” I tease Yuri, setting myself the goal of finally easing the tension. This is supposed to be a business meeting for us, but for Katya and Jennifer, it’s not.
Yuri grins at me. “Best fuck I’ve ever had, Daniel. This woman milks my dick dry.”
While Jennifer must be blushing furiously right now, I smirk at the two in front of us. “Glad you’re enjoying yourselves.”
Katya rolls her eyes. “He’s the one who always wants to get on top of me.”
Yuri looks at his wife, his eyes filled with love meant only for her. “How could I resist a woman like you, sweetheart?” he asks her. Their love is the kind of love I aspire to have one day. Maybe.
While the two tease each other, I look at Jennifer. “You’re fine with a little bit of joking, right?” I ask her.
She nods. “I am, but I didn’t expect you guys to be… like this,” she confesses with a gentle laugh. Her cheeks are red, outshining the blush she applied with her makeup.
