Page 23

I almost snap a threat at her, but I’ m not sure it’s meant as bait. I think she’s just that tasteless.

“I like my things as they are,” I say evenly.

She giggles, but that coolness remains. “You’re like Daddy. Stuck in the past.”

“Quiet,” Sergio says. “The men are talking.”

She closes her mouth, which I wanted. But perversely, it irritates me he treated her like that.

Christ, I want this over.

“You had a reason for coming by unannounced.”

“I think we’re long past formalities, Demyan.” Sergio smiles again. “After all, we’re merging.”

“That’s one way of putting it,” I mutter. Then I notice the thick book sticking out of Stefina’s large leather tote, next to her handbag on the rug near her feet.

I run a hand down my face and take a sip of coffee.

“Sit,” Sergio says, “we have a morning ahead of us.”

“I’d rather stand and my morning’s booked up.”

“Not anymore.” Sergio’s smile broadens. “We’ve come over to fine-tune the wedding arrangements.”

Behind me, there’s an audible gasp and the bottom falls from my world. I spin. Erin stands there, hurt all over her face, a hand to her mouth like she’s been slapped and it onlymakes her bruises stand out more and guilt licks high inside me.

Fuck. This is not how I wanted her to find out that things aren’t as sorted out as I might have led her to think.

Her eyes find mine as Pavel appears, a frown on his face, subtle, but there. He doesn’t touch her but moves close.

I shift my gaze back to Erin.

“Demyan?”

Her broken whisper tears into me and I suck in a slow breath.

“I’ll explain later,” I mutter, keeping my voice low, and then I nod at Pavel, who slips an arm around her.

For a moment she resists. But she looks past me to where Sergio and Stefina sit, and she just looks away from me and turns to Pavel, letting him lead her out of the room.

“Demyan?” Sergio says. “We really need to get this underway.”

I turn back to Sergio. “Never come to my house without my permission.”

Sergio’s smug little smile deepens as his eyes twinkle. “Is that any way to speak to your future father-in-law?” He switches to Russian. “We’re family, are we not?”

“Nyet. Not yet.” I stick to English. “And until that moment, you ask before you turn up. I won’t be waylaid, and I won’t have my very busy day disrupted.”

Stefina’s gaze is on the door. “Very busy.”

“Our arrangement, Sergio, is not an invitation to poke into my holdings or my life. Just like I won’t do to you. This and all the accompanying conversations will happen at a time I see fit.” I stalk to the mantle over the fireplace and set my cup down. Then I turn back. “As I said, I’m busy. I’ll be in touch.”

And I gesture to the door as Pavel reappears. Alone.

“We have to discuss the wedding!” Stefina says.

I ignore her and wait until they gather their things and stand and Pavel and I escort them to the foyer.