Total pages in book: 82
Estimated words: 76572 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 383(@200wpm)___ 306(@250wpm)___ 255(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 76572 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 383(@200wpm)___ 306(@250wpm)___ 255(@300wpm)
My father strolls in alone, his eyes scanning the crowd and locking on Ivan, then me. When he sneers, Ivan starts forward, but I throw myself in his path. “Not now, okay? You said slaughter is at the beginning. Let me enjoy my first society party without bloodshed.”
He catches my hips and clenches tight into my dress. I stay still, staring up at him. When he drops his face to my neck, breathing deep, I relax, knowing he’s not going to murder my father right this second, at least.
After a minute of standing on the floor, his face in my neck, everyone moving around us, he lifts his head. “Let’s get a drink. It’ll help get me through this night.”
It only takes a minute to find the bar and another to get our drinks. We face the room, and I catch the smug look on my father’s face as he stares at us, standing hand in hand from across the room. If he wants to survive the night, he better stay out of Ivan’s way. I don’t think alcohol is going to help with his temper.
Adrian cuts over in front of us. “How’s it going?”
I sigh. “Well, Ivan hasn’t killed anyone yet, so I call that a win.”
Adrian makes a low noise in his throat. “Pity. This party could use some entertainment.”
34
IVAN
I’m crawling out of my skin. Val and Adrian here in this pit of vipers make me want to slaughter anyone who even glances our way. Alexei and Andrea work the crowd, playing the society darlings they usually do. Kai flanks Val and Adrian like he’s ready to jump at a moment’s notice. Michail is away in Chicago, and I’m distracted.
Both Cilla being so close to me, and her father circling the same room, like a shark that smells blood in the water, is enough to keep my attention split. Not to mention, I fucking hate these events.
At least the crowd seems content. No bloodshed yet. I told Cilla the slaughter happens at the beginning of the season. Still, there is usually at least an attempt before the ending party concludes.
I hope it’s Arthur, but as long as it’s not me and mine, I don’t give a shit.
Even as I clutch Cilla to my side, I keep my eyes on Arthur’s back. He’s chatting with some of the crowd, working his way through the party members, turning up the charm with the laughter coming from his circles.
Every time the man turns, he glances our way, his eyes straying over our party like he’s waiting for something. I don’t trust it one bit.
I can feel the time slipping through my fingers. When the clock strikes midnight, the party ends, and the bloodshed along with it. Any action after the chimes will result in a declaration of war. Not something I’m willing to risk with Adrian’s child on the way.
I leave Cilla with Adrian and Val. The distance might give me some clarity. I keep my eyes on Arthur as I approach Andrea and pull her toward me.
At first, she snarls at me but follows me when she sees my face and that I’m not some stranger taking hold of her.
I lead her out to the floor and turn her in my arms to face me. “Try not to look so tense.”
She flips her hair with a jerk of her neck. “I’m tense because you’re touching me, and I don’t know why. What the fuck are we doing?”
I keep my eyes on Arthur as we move around the room. “You’re dancing with me. I’m trying to figure out how to slit Arthur’s throat before the clock hits midnight.”
She snorts, relaxing slightly. “Cutting it a bit close, aren’t you?”
When I don’t chuckle at her joke, she rolls her eyes. “Well, you don’t have much time this evening. And you should probably wait until your new wife isn’t looking so she doesn’t get covered in her own father’s blood.”
“I don’t think she will actually care after what he put her through.”
She makes a noise and focuses off, letting me lead. “Well, Adrian might, considering we are all supposed to be on our best behavior.”
“I think he’ll get over a little disobedience, considering what Arthur has put us through and what he’s a party to currently. He can only cause us further grief with the more power he amasses.”
Some of the other society members mill close to where we dance, thinking they might cut in. I make eye contact with each of them, daring them to try. “Where’s your brother?”
She shrugs, grinning at the unease of the men circling, waiting for their opening with her. “He’s off getting himself into trouble, no doubt. You know how the wives like to fawn over him, try to get him into their beds. It’s a game to them, even though none of them ever succeed. The same thing they tried with Michail. Although, less so now with his wife’s council position.”