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“You didn’t.”
“I did.” My lips press flat together. “I killed my father.”
“Anastasia…” Faina’s mouth falls open, and then to my surprise, she smirks. “You know, I had my suspicions.”
“What?”
“I saw you after the funeral. You were so…” She clicks her tongue behind her teeth. “It was like you were a different person. Like the Anastasia I briefly knew in passing was gone. And then you made me your underboss. Not Viktor. I wondered if something was up but then decided I didn’t care because the change you’ve been bringing meant so much more.”
“I can’t tell if you’re serious,” I remark. “Does everyone around me suspect me of murder?”
“No,” she replies quickly. “Just… you’re my friend. I know you. And I knew him, so you won’t hear any complaints from me. Your father was a tyrant. A monster. And I don’t really need to know the reasoning, but I know you. You’ve protected me ever since you gave me this position, so you have my loyalty andmy friendship. Hell, I’ll help you host a private dinner party for Viktor if you'd like.”
She waggles her eyebrows and an unexpected laugh escapes me.
“That won’t be necessary.”
“Are you sure? Because if that rat Erik has scurried back to his master, then it’s only a matter of time.”
“I know.” My eyes drop to the blanket covering my legs. I trace the pattern with my fingertips, following the raised braiding along the edge. “I wonder if he has already.”
“It’s been a few hours.” Faina sighs. “What reason would he have to keep it a secret? The fact that he was spying is enough to show where his loyalty really lies.”
Her words, while truthful, cut through me like a razor blade and my throat thickens as emotion wells unexpectedly behind my eyes. “I think I liked him,” I say hoarsely. “That was the worst part. I was so ready to open myself up to him properly and then he stood in front of me and told me I was just a task. And then he tried to justify it by acting like he’d realized I was a different, better person.”
“And then you told him the truth.”
I nod. “And now… I have no idea. He has no reason to keep his mouth shut. I just don’t understand why Viktor isn’t here already.”
“Maybe part of him was telling the truth?” Faina suggests. “Maybe he really does care about you and right now he’s at war with himself. Deserved, if you ask me, but…”
When our eyes meet, I can see the hope in her eyes. She doesn’t really believe that about Erik, but she’s trying to make me feel better, I can tell.
“I hope it eats him up,” I reply bitterly. “I hope it drives him to his grave.”
“So, two dinner parties.” Faina snorts softly. “Although, speaking of…”
I study her face and for a moment, she can’t meet my eyes. When she does, she inhales deeply before speaking. “I know it was Viktor’s idea, but I am in support of canceling the gala.”
“What?”
“Look at the state of you, Anastasia. Your blood pressure is so high that your body is literally bursting. All that bleeding wasn’t good for you or the baby. I know the Doc says you’re fine, but she’s right, you need to lower your stress levels and this entire fucked up situation is not helping.”
“Faina—”
“No. You need to listen. There’s far too much at risk, including your life, and I can’t lose you, you understand? And I don’t think you want to lose that baby, either. You can’t let this gala happen.”
“No!” Faina’s agreement with that plan irritates me so greatly that the blanket I’m under suddenly feels suffocating. Pushing it off, I slide from the bed and pace away toward the window just to expel some of the surging, irritating energy inside me. “How can you even suggest that?”
“How can you not?” Faina asks, remaining on the bed.
“I need this, okay? My every move has been watched since I took power from my father. Not because people are waiting for me to do something great, but because I’m a woman. I spent hours with my father’s generals and they constantly spoke like I wasn’t there. Every idea and deal I’ve made since then has been a battle. Even buying up those construction companies… the number of people thinking I’m just running around withDaddy’smoney. This is my chance, don’t you see?”
I pace back to the bed with my mind racing.
“This is my chance to prove to everyone watching that I know exactly what I am doing. That all the questionable business decisions and dismantling of my father’s empire were worth it because this new one I’m building will be ten times better and cause a fraction of the harm. We’ll be hurting rich, obnoxious people making their own stupid decisions rather than innocents snatched from the street. I’ll be announcing our first ever alliance with another family and…” My chest tightens as I struggle to get all of my ideas out in one breath.
“I understand,” Faina says. “But?—”