Page 4 of Lord of Passion

"That would be me," I agree blandly, taking an inelegant gulp of my wine and wondering if a simple about face and wandering away would be considered rude. I know the hierarchy of the Bratva, though I don't know if I can get shot in the back of the head for ghosting theSovietnik.

Andrey glides over to us. He's Nikandr's twin and while they're not identical, the resemblance is almost eerie until you realize that Andrey is possibly not human, but most likely some concoction of a supermodel and a Colossal Nvidia computer.

"Nikandr," he says, no change in tone to indicate that he's related to this man, "I want to introduce you to Judge Meacham, he will be here in about ten minutes."

A grin stretches across into Nikandr's face, so sincere that it's blinding, his even, white teeth looking positively carnivorous. "Excellent," he says. "The man must really love you to show up at a Bratva gathering."

"He knows who he answers to," Andrey shrugs elegantly. He's holding a glass of scotch, unlike the rest of the Russians and their filthy love of vodka. It's an expensive one. I can smell the oak, a deep char, and woody vanilla. Maybe a Macallan 25 Year single malt.

His chilly gaze turns to me and he inclines his head slightly. "Caroline." He says it matter-of-factly, as if in fact my name was not really Caroline, I would have to go and legally change it tomorrow because he's deemed it so. "I understand Liria and Alexsey are very happy that you've moved here. It's good thatthe memories of your brothers' deaths haven't impacted your choice."

I tap my fingernail on my wine glass, trying to absorb this. Is he being kind? Is he being unbelievably cruel? Does he want to poke me a little bit, just to see what comes oozing out? Or, is he just a conscienceless prick? I smile politely. I'm not giving him anything.

Nikandr's brow wrinkles briefly. "Brothers?"

Andrey turns to him, "The two men who held Liria captive last year," he pauses, "Mikal and Bobby, wasn't it? They were Caroline's brothers. I'm sure it's been a shock for her." He says it indifferently as he finishes his drink.

A hot flush of shame pours down my back like a bucket of scalding water. I know everyone's aware of my idiot - and as it turned out - traitorous, brothers and what they'd done, but no one had the gall to spit it into my face like that.

Nikandr glances at me briefly before something shuts off in his eyes and he says, "Ah." That's it. Just like he's analyzed and categorized everything he needs to know about me and he turns, clapping Andrey on the shoulder. "Let's go find Judge Meacham."

No one is looking at me. I know they're not. Everyone's talking and laughing, deep in their own conversations, but I feel horribly exposed. Like those dreams where you're taking a crucial test in high school and you're stark naked.

Gulping down the rest of my wine, I head to the bar, heels clicking briskly, handing the bartender my empty glass. After one more glass of wine, it should be enough time where I can get out of here without seeming to be rude to Liria. I know she was excited about this party.

Nodding and smiling at the correct intervals, I sit through a conversation with Violet, she's married to Alexsey's brother Roman, and her twin sisters about the best summer internships to apply for before deeming I've done my time.

"Well, goodnight. I have an early day at the Lyric so, I'll just-"

"What are you doing!" Liria materializes at my side. "You're not going anywhere, fam. There's a poker tournament about to start in the next room and we areplaying."She's grinning as wide as a jack o'lantern and I know I'm not getting out of this.

"And who is playing in this magical tournament?" I ask, resigned as she takes my arm, plowing through the crowd like a partygoer at a rave in search of glowsticks.

"Several of the Morozovs," she throws me another grin over her shoulder. "They all know nice and professional Caroline from the hotel, but-"

An unattractive snort bursts from me at that statement. "You're apparently forgetting my visit here last year."

"What they don't know are your manyspecialqualities," she finishes gleefully, ignoring me. "But they're about to get a show."

Chapter Two

In which Nikandr gets his ass kicked. By a girl.

Nikandr…

"Are we starting yet?"

I'm impatient. There are four of us sitting around the poker table, me, Alexsey, Andrey, and a key client of ours, Juan Castillo. We've just opened up a counterfeit currency partnership, a little side business that I'm projecting will make around a hundred million a year. He's smoking an enormous cigar, looking around.

We're in a luxurious, wood-paneled room built to look like an old English estate's study; richly colored oriental rugs, leather armchairs and a fireplace that I'm amused to find is piled high with firewood, merrily burning away. Whoever set up the room also hit the A/C on high to compete with the heat. There are two other tables like ours, and their dealers are already passing out the cards.

"Sorry we're late!" Liria has a huge grin as she joins us at the table and she's dragging her cousin Caroline by the hand. Caroline does not look happy about being here. She is also fucking gorgeous in a little black dress and all those bouncing curls.

Castillo shoots to his feet and holds out his hand, and I have a sudden compulsion to punch him in the throat. "Hello, you beautiful creatures," he purrs. He's not bad looking, with dark hair and eyes, in his mid-thirties. Castillo just took over his father's counterfeiting business; money, wine, jewels. He’s running it very shrewdly. However, he's a sleazy fuck. I've had to entertain enough of his twisted tastes over the last week to know it. "I know the beautiful Liria Morozova, of course, but who is this?"

Liria's smile is professional. She doesn't like this guy. "This is my most beloved cousin," she emphasizes the 'beloved,' “Caroline Basha. We were looking forward to spending some more time with the family tonight."

He's kept his hand out, and just before it gets awkward, Caroline smiles and shakes. He attempts to tighten down and pull her towards him so he can kiss her cheek. I've seen this trick before and apparently, so has she. Pushing her hand in hard and jamming the joint between her thumb and forefinger firmly against his, she squeezes his fingers. If you're not ready for a grip like that, it immobilizes your hand. Her knuckles turn white for a moment as she shakes briskly, and then she slides away, still smiling politely at the puzzled Castillo.