Page 54 of Debt to the Mafia King

“It’s great to meet you, Boris.” She straightened and tucked herself into my side. Instantly, my arm went around her. She was a clever woman, and she had great instincts. She wasn’t fooled by my father’s over-the-top charm any more than I was.

Leah recognised him as a threat and wanted to be close to me. I looped my arm around her waist and tucked her into my hip.

“There are lots of people who want to speak with you, Viktor,” Boris said in rapid-fire Russian. “As the new head of the family.” He cracked a malicious smile.

“And I will talk to them. But not at a party. This is meant to be a celebration, and I would like to dance with my wife.”

The old man’s eyes crinkled as he smiled at Leah. It wasn’t a friendly smile, and she might not know what we were saying, but she was savvy enough to realize we were discussing her.

“Your wife,” he cackled, “is little more than a child.”

Bristling, I flexed my hand against her hip. “Leah is an adult. The age gap between us isn’t your concern.”

“It is when she is going to rinse you for every penny. I can tell she’s a gold digger just by looking at her.” Again, his eyes appraised her.

My anger bubbled up. “We will discuss that later, Father,” I said in clipped English. “If you will excuse me, I am going to get my wife a drink.”

Without waiting for permission, I walked her away to the glittering bar at the back of the room.

“I don’t think he likes me much,” she mumbled.

“It’s me he doesn’t like,” taking her hand, I pulled her in to me. Curling my arm around her waist and dipping her low. “And even if he doesn’t like you, then I like you more than enough for everyone. Ignore the looks, stares, and whispers. They are all just jealous because you got me.”

Leah’s eyebrows shot up. “Big head,” she teased.

I couldn’t help it, I grinned. “Oh, I’m going to show you exactlyhow big my head is as soon as we can leave this place,”I said, my eyes scanning the room.

There was not one person in this room that I wanted to talk to, but there were some I needed to. My father was right about that.

“I might wait until we get home, but more than likely, I won’t be able to wait, and I’ll take you in the car. You’d like that, wouldn’t you?” Leaning over her, I tucked a curl behind her ear and let my lips drift across it. She shivered in response, which only made my cock harder.

Over and over again, my fingers flexed into her hip. She didn’t moan, but she didn’t need to. I could tell by the hitch in her breath and the way her breasts heaved under the plunging neckline of her dress that she liked the idea of that just as much as I did.

“Yes.” Reaching up, she brushed her fingers into the hair curling at the back of my neck. “Yes, I would like that very much.”

My cock throbbed. “Then, let’s get out of here?”

Her eyes widened. “You don’t want to stay?”

Again, I glanced around. “I would rather spend the evening with you in our bed, but I do need to speak to my father again and a few of the others. As soon as I’ve done that, we can—”

“Viktor.” A man slid up to my side. He was middle-aged and podgy around the middle. “Your father wants to speak to you,” his eyes barely flicked in Leah’s direction. “Alone.”

He walked away without another word.

Sighing, I shook my head. “I’ll have to see what he wants.”

“Go, I’m going to find a seat and maybe get some water.”

Tucking my fingers under her chin, I brought her lips to mine. “The bar is free, or grab yourself some champagne from a waiter. Make yourself at home.”

Finding her lips with mine, I kissed her softly.

“I’ll be as quick as I can, and then you will have my full attention.”

Expectantly, she looked at me. “Promise?”

Another kiss. “You have my word.”