Page 69 of Blood & Snow

Outside, Igor waits beside a black sedan, engine running.

He nods when he sees me and opens the rear door.

Xander sits in the back, dressed in a dark suit.

His gray eyes sweep over me, taking in the dress and earrings.

A small smile touches his mouth.

"Acceptable," he says as I slide in beside him.

I've come to accept that as his highest praise.

It makes my cheeks warm.

Igor closes the door and gets behind the wheel.

We pull away from the curb, heading toward the city center.

"Where are we going?" I ask.

"The Sokolniki. Leonid is hosting."

He doesn't look at me.

His gaze stays fixed on the windshield as we accelerate into traffic.

The Pakhan… I've heard Xander mention him, but I've never met him.

My hands twist in my lap as I feel nervous energy swirling.

I don't want sucked deeper into his world, but it appears I don't have a choice.

"Why do you need me there?"

"Because I want you there."

His tone suggests the conversation is over.

I turn to look out the window, watching the city slide past.

The snow is falling harder now, coating the streets in white.

"Tell me about yourNovy Godtraditions," Xander says after a few minutes.

I glance at him.

"What about them?"

I feel a little uncomfortable, but not overly so.

Xander has questioned my life so many times I'm growing used to it.

"The holidays seem important to your family. I'd like to understand."

His hand reaches for my thigh, rests there gently as his thumb strokes the soft material.

I'm surprised he's being so interested.