Page 43 of Mistaken
“Ella, honey!” Tania galloped up the red carpet to grab my bride in a hug. “Can you believe this shit?”
“I see why you kept your date a secret,” I narrowed my eyes at Yuri, who grinned innocently. “I told you I would kill you if you broke that woman’s heart and caused friction between me and my wife because of it.”
“Relax, brother,” he chuckled heartily for the cameras, patting my back with a heavy hand, “my love life is not the cause of the friction between you and Ella. It’s almost palpable. How did you enrage my sister-in-law?”
“Shut up or I swear I will punch your pretty face,” I keep smiling at the photographers while I threaten his life.
King had taken over the entire top floor of his building to create this year’s New Year’s Eve party, and he was striding towards us as we stepped off the elevator.
“Maksim and Yuri Morozov, my favorite Russians!”
“Alexander,” we shook hands, and he turned to Ella.
“And this is your beautiful wife?” He gave his best smoldering stare at an amused Ella and I gave a rather clipped introduction.
“Ella, darling, this is Alexander King, our host, a bit of a flirtatious bastard, and clearly a man who does not value his life. Alex, my lovely bride Ella Givens Morozov.”
“Charmed,” he crooned, kissing her hand as his gaze dropped to her cleavage. “You’re right, Maksim, the Dresden Green could never be more beautifully displayed.”
“Had I known you’d use it as an excuse to stare at my wife in an inappropriate manner all night, I would have declined the honor,” I said dryly.
Ella glanced at me before turning back to our host. “Oh, you lent the pin to Maksim for tonight? Thank you so much, but… this has to be one of the most priceless jewels in the world, I’m feeling some pressure here, you know?”
He laughed, “It is worth the risk, sweetheart because you look amazing. Also, between your husband’s security and mine, you’re more protected than the President of the United States right now.”
“Well, thank you,” Ella said sweetly. So sweetly that I wanted to rearrange King’s face and that new nose job.
“Yes, thank you, Alex. And don’t call my wife sweetheart again.”
He was already charming Tania; “Oh, and you are not yet taken, darling. Perhaps there’s hope for me? Look at Yuri's face! He’s aging terribly. How old are you, Yuri? Fifty?”
My brother chuckled pleasantly, “Ten years younger than you, Alex, and not yet needing plastic surgery.” He pointedly eyed our host’s nose.
“This place is insane!” Tania gloated to Ella. They walked a bit ahead of us as they took in the winterscape, with oddly animated snow men and women who offered drinks and canapes as snow fell from the twenty-five-foot-high ceiling, the false flakes melting before touching the guests.
Tania’s voice carried, “Oh, holy fuck is that Beyonce?”
Yuri grinned at her, ignoring my glare. “She’s got spirit. I’m sick of the models and rich girls who are incapable of admiring anything or anyone. Tania’s refreshing.”
“Refreshing indeed,” I agreed dourly. “Keep an eye out for Thomas Williams, I know he’s here tonight.”
“From the London branch of The Corporation? Their reputation is brutal in Europe, they drove the Irish Mafia out of England, but I think they’re mainly focused on securities fraud and money laundering now. I remember that we were talking about him the night you decided to…” he eyed my stern gaze with a barely concealed smile. “Well, that night. Didn’t he cut theSolntsevskaya Bratva completely out of the European trade? I hear Mogilevich still spits on the ground whenever his name is mentioned.”
“He does,” I smile politely as the mayor passes by. “But that makes it easier to strike a deal with The Corporation as the only Bratva partner they’ll have.”
The head of Ella’s security touches his earpiece and nods, and I see the other four men subtly alter their positions as she is pulled in a new direction by Tania. Yuri watches the movement and grins. “I’ll go calm her down before she accidentally drags Ella off a balcony. How did you get your hands on the Dresden Green jewel?”
We were standing by an elaborately carved dragon ice fountain that poured out chilled vodka, clear and pure, and after the first swallow, excellent quality.
“???????,”Yuri sighed in approval. “You should have one of these made for the penthouse, brother. But back to the jewel?”
I shrugged, switching between keeping an eye on Ella’s progress and searching for the CEO from The Corporation. “I thought it would suit her eyes.”
“That’s a long walk for matching jewelry,” he shrugged, “but she looks like a princess.”
I spoke without thinking, “No, my wife looks like a queen.”
For a moment, it looked like there was about to be a standoff between our security and Jay-Z’s, but Beyonce turned to admire the jewel on Ella’s dress and everyone’s hands moved away from their gun holsters. I glared at Yuri. “Go.”
