Page 91 of Ruthless Dream

He’s a man of wealth and from a different generation. He looks down at my uncle's and my newfound ideas. He and Lev Zimin believe they know best.

Months ago, I’d have wet myself for this opportunity. It’s now the second time I’ve entered his home, and the last time his daughter had fallen on her knees and taken my cock in her mouth before she’d clenched around my fingers.

But something deadens the smugness.

It’s not that I’ve left all my pride at the door. Adeline hugged me the moment she saw me, a tenderness in her eyes I hadn’t expected. Months ago I’d have sworn she’d want to chop my balls off. Her temper means that is still a possibility, but we’ve found a rhythm.

I don’t have to hide my work. She doesn’t have to dance around her family’s business. Her body was made for me, and my cock has never felt as at home as when I take her.

We’re good together.

And I really don’t want to piss off Gia, who’s started to like me. It’s satisfying seeing Boris’s eye twitch anytime his wife is kind to me.

So I hold my tongue as I sit in a chair across from Boris, each of us with a glass of vodka in front of us.

“How did your meeting with Wallen go this week?” Boris leans back, his office chair swaying.

I’m not surprised he knows about the meeting. I would prefer he didn’t mention it, though. Especially because it’s something I haven’t mentioned to Adeline.

We might not have to hide who or what we are, but we aren’t trading stories in the evening. Still, there is a tension in my jaw that hasn’t gone away since my uncle mentioned doing business with Wallen.

He wanted Adeline dead. That’s something I can’t forget, nor forgive, of him.

Boris might not be aware of just how far Wallen went to try to harm him. But he’s wary, since my dad tipped him off months ago of a threat. He’s right to be bringing this up, something I’d rather not admit.

“There is no love lost between us,” Boris says.

“You’ve done business with Wallen before.”

“I am one man in the cog,” he replies, the closest he’ll ever get to saying he thinks Lev is stupid for working with the other man. “Your uncle has done well since coming to town.”

It doesn’t sound like a compliment.

“Your father is proud of you.”

What little sympathy I had for him due to his daughter dries up at the mention of Cain Murray.

“Wish I could say the same.” It’s the wrong thing to say, and I know it when Boris cocks his head to the side.

Boris is a family man. I should show my undying loyalty to an absent father figure, but it’s not in me to lie.

The Russian scratches his eyebrow. “You’re a credit to your uncle. Is that what I should have said instead?”

It’s an unusual barb, but a barb nonetheless.

Boris takes a long drink of his vodka, his gold wedding ring glinting. “I told my daughter that she merely needs to say the word and you will be gone.”

“I’d expect nothing less of a father.”

“Then you will understand my next words. Wallen has threatened my family. I am not under any illusion that you are loyal to my daughter or her family; otherwise, we wouldn’t be having this conversation. Perhaps it is just business, and Wallen’s threats are all talk. Or maybe you are the exact piece of shit I believe you to be, and you will use my baby daughter to your advantage, like the sick son of a bitch your uncle raised you to be.”

There is a lot to unpack there, but he is not finished.

“One word,” Boris says, pausing to drink his vodka, “from my daughter or from the shadows that like to speak, and you will be gone.”

I sit with my hands clasped in front of me. A picture of nonchalance, when instead I’d like to leave with a mere vulgar gesture, declaring him to be a waste of my time.

But it’s been several days since Adeline slept in my bed since she’s spending time here during her school break. What the hell is wrong with me that I’m willing to withstand Boris’s disrespect all because I’d like another hug from his daughter?