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The very same day, I was busy—too busy, if I'm being honest.

I was plotting out every detail of tonight's event with the energy of someone orchestrating a hostile takeover, even though this was only poker.

But I knew Sevan would lay me over her lap if she knew what I was doing, giving me a reminder of who exactly I belonged to.

Still, that didn't seem reason enough to behave.

If anything, it made the night far more... interesting.

Without Sevan here to play watchdog, the last-minute event planning was perfectly chaotic.

Poker, Moscow's finest... why not?

Poker nights offer far more than a stack of winnings when done right.

And a night filled with intrigue—da, that I couldn't resist.

I specifically had Nikolai send out the invites, with a note for a certain Executioner to make an appearance.

Nazara.

Sevan would hate this... so of course I had to do it.

I figured this could be the night we finally meet alone.

Besides, with Sevan in Colombia and Daria thankfully nowhere near Moscow, the package deal between Daria and Nazara wasn't on the table.

I could see the cards playing out as clear as the table spread.

Sevan might be halfway across the world, but I can already imagine her reaction when she learns of Nazara's attendance.

Not that I'm planning on letting her find out quite yet.

After all, this poker game had been designed as my own personal high-stakes match, and I wasn't about to fold my hand too early.

I briefly mentioned to Sevan that I'd be hosting something tonight.

And as predicted I've got over fifty missed calls and messages from my malyshka.

But I only ignored them.

I know Sevan well enough to know she'd send someone to shut me down if she knew about Nazara.

A last-minute text to one of her Moscow connections to lock me away and throw away the key?

Very much her style.

So, I silenced my phone and pushed it aside, focusing on the evening ahead instead.

And trust that I dressed for the occasion.

A tight red dress that clung to my body just right, paired with black stockings and sharp stilettos.

My dark hair was up in a high ponytail for once, illuminating my face chiseled with a matte makeup look.

Tonight is mine.

And as I sprayed myself with perfume, the air felt charged—almost electric.

When I opened the door, Misha and Varya were there, stationed like loyal shadows on the marble floor, waiting for me.

My favorite girls.

I couldn't resist leaning down, reaching to scratch behind their ears, "You two are going to be the only well-behaved ones tonight," I murmured, smiling as Varya tilted her head into my hand while Misha nudged my arm.

Once I felt satisfied petting them, I rose back up to my full height and smoothed the edges of my dress before walking down the hallway.

My heels clicked with purpose as their paw clatters followed behind me, echoing down the grand staircase.

Nikolai and Ivan waited for me at the bottom of the grand stairs.

They were as unreadable as ever—dressed in sharp, tailored black suits, looking the part to be by my side tonight.

At the sight of me, Ivan nodded his usual silent approval—while Nikolai took a step toward me.

"Everything is prepared as you specified," he said, earning a nod from me.

"Very good," I determined, briefly glancing over when I noticed Yuri making his way toward us.

I had only seen him in passing earlier when he gave me a hug and flashed me his usual kind smile.

"You go out tonight?" Yuri asked as he glanced between the three of us.

I nodded, "Da," I murmured as my eyes trailed his appearance.

He looks too tired for my liking.

"You sleep well last night?" I asked, taking a step toward him.

Yuri immediately nodded, "Da, my medicine makes me feel very weird—but I am good, Via," he assured me.

I hummed almost hesitantly, taking another step toward him to eye him further.

"You go to sleep early tonight," I said, not bothering to form it as a question, "And maybe we plan for naps."

Yuri's lips slowly spread into a smile, "I think I will do that, thank you Via," he whispered, his words as soft and genuine as ever.

I nodded once, "Da," I mumbled, trying to push away the warmth melting my frosty edges.

I have plans to carry out.

"I see you in the morning," I told Yuri, who immediately nodded once.

"I finish helping Arina with piano and I sleep very good," Yuri assured me as I backed away from him, "No need to worry."

I hummed, feeling my chest weirdly squeeze at his reassurance.

He needs someone to be worried about him, yet he chooses to comfort me.

"Good," I whispered, furrowing my brows as I turned away from him.

Which caused Ivan to immediately open one of the doors for me—while Nikolai nodded once in Yuri's direction.

Outside, the windy night air was filled with flurries that brushed against my face as I walked toward the waiting SUVs.

They were practically gleaming as they sat in a perfect line.

I slid into the backseat of the further back SUV, settling in as Ivan and Nikolai took their places—Nikolai up front, while Ivan joined me in the back.

The door shut with a quiet thud, sealing us into the SUV, and the low rumble of the engine filled the silence as we pulled away from the estate.

The busy city blurred past us upon driving past the compound gates, allowing the flurries to whip past the car.

There was always something magnetic about Moscow at night—the way it felt alive and ready to swallow anyone unprepared.

A lot like the calculated game I was waging with Sevan.

My phone vibrated in my bag, causing me to suddenly glance down.

Fifty-something notifications had now become sixty.

Sevan wasn't backing down.

If anything, she had been using numbers I hadn't blocked.

A part of me considered responding just to see her reaction, but I let it go—deciding to let her burn in her impatience.

The thought amused me—knowing she was across the ocean, probably seething at the fact that she couldn't contain me.

I glanced up when the SUV slowly glided to a stop at the venue—a secluded, historic mansion rented just for the night.

I'd selected it for its privacy, hidden away behind tall gates and guarded like the fortress it was.

The other SUVs parked behind us, and my men stepped out first to scan the scene before Ivan opened my door—offering a strict hand that I waved away with an amused look.

"Relax a little Ivo," I said as I exited, my heels touching the cobblestone pathway that led up to the entrance.

The ambient lights from the mansion casted a golden glow across the gravel, illuminating our path as we made our way inside.

The energy was electric already—dozens of people conversing around, which left the air thick with the unspoken knowledge of what these people were capable of.

Most of them glanced my way, a quick recognition and a dip of the head in silent respect.

And then, just as I stepped further in, there she was—

Nazara.

All alone.

Her eyes openly scanned the room before locking onto me.

Almost immediately a smirk twitched up on her lips, her gaze never once diverting from me.

Sevan's going to kill her.

She's going to kill me too.

I find the idea of that nice.

I moved through the crowded room, weaving between men in suits and women draped in sleek, dark dresses.

The buzz of low conversations and the soft clink of glasses filled the air, but my attention was singular—entirely fixed on Nazara.

She stood near the far side of the room, her dark eyes following my frame as I approached.

"I didn't think you would be in attendance," I said, tilting my head slightly in challenge, "You are busy as a right hand now da?" I purposely pointed out, knowing she couldn't get entangled with me.

But would she still risk doing so?

We're not finding that out.

But I still want to hear her say it.

Nazara shrugged, "Rules are meant to be broken—I've learned that the hard way with poker," she said, her words clearly insinuating a double meaning.

"Let's play then," I said, deciding to leave the sensual topic alone as I nodded toward the card tables.

Even with the lines I knew I wouldn't cross—I still knew the night was bound to get interesting.

Nazara and I ended up settling at one of the tables near the center, away from the inexperienced players who lingered at the tables by the edges of the room.

The table in front of us was already set—decks shuffled, chips stacked, waiting for the first hand.

I could feel the eyes on us with a crowd slowly forming around the table, the anticipation prickling in the air.

Within moments we were launched into a couple of rounds, keeping the stakes low at first and the air light between us.

But beneath Nazara's cool exterior, I could sense something.

She's not here for poker.

Still, I decided to continue on with our poker game, keeping the conversation to a minimum.

And I was even about to lay down a winning hand—when my phone buzzed insistently against the table, which it had done the entire time.

I already knew who it was without looking.

Sevan.

I clenched my jaw, momentarily torn between whether I should finally answer her.

It would've been easy to ignore her and let the call ring through to voicemail.

I like pushing her to every limit she could possibly possess.

But another vibration reminded me that she was never one to wait too long.

And if she was still calling, it meant she wasn't going to stop.

Nazara raised a brow, "Are you going to take that?" she murmured, tilting her head slightly, "Or are you all mine tonight?"

I immediately stood to my feet, giving her a look that suggested I would never be hers.

In any sense.

Nazara raised a brow under my directed stare, but before she could form a response, I had walked away—down one of the narrow hallways.

And once I was locked in one of the private single-person bathrooms, completely out of earshot from the crowd—I answered the call.

"Zinovia," I heard her familiar voice speak, her tone as tight as ever with me, "We're ignoring calls now?"

I shrugged, "It's poker night," I replied nonchalantly, leaning back against the cold sink, "I told you this."

I heard Sevan let out a sigh.

A very tight fucking sigh.

It was enough to actually drag a smile out of me.

A small one da, but it was a smile.

"We both know this isn't about fucking poker," Sevan finally said, and I could hear a glass clink against something, clearly setting her drink down, "And I personally know that Nazara fucking Obassi is standing only feet away from you."

A rush of knots bundled in my stomach, only growing excited at her tone.

She is... very attractive when she is mad.

"Relax malyshka," I murmured, but my voice sounded anything but comforting, "You don't trust me?" I purposely asked.

I clenched my jaw, hating how my heart pounded in my chest at the sound I evoked from Sevan.

A laugh.

A genuine laugh.

It was soft.

Very pretty.

"Trust you Zinovia?" Sevan murmured, humming almost in amusement, "Those pills are starting to go to your head baby."

I immediately felt my jaw tighten, "You should be very careful how you speak to me, Sevan," I warned her, deciding to wage a war tonight, "I might fuck her and send you a video to watch."

The line went silent for a few moments.

Longer than a few moments actually.

Almost to the point that I contemplated if she had hung up.

"You know what," Sevan finally spoke, letting out a long calm sigh. Too calm for my liking, "Fuck her Zinovia."

I remained silent for a few beats, unsure of how to respond to that.

Because even if Sevan did mean it... I didn't want to fuck her or anyone else for once.

Blyat.

"But once you do, that's it," Sevan continued on when I remained silent, "Fuck having threesomes or even a fucking foursome—no, I'll tie you up and edge you over and over again Zinovia, and I'll never let you come."

I still remained silent, not because I was affected by her threats.

But more or so because I don't want to fuck Nazara.

And trying to claim I would will only lead Sevan to call my bluff.

I let out a tight sigh.

Nearly clenching every bone in my body at the idea of what I'm about to say.

"I do not want to fuck her," I nearly gritted, hating that I was admitting the urge to her.

"Then what the fuck are you doing Zinovia?" Sevan asked me, her voice still filled with nothing but irritation, "Why is she there right now?"

I blinked a few times, "To make you mad—I like making you mad," I said, my voice softer than I wished it to be.

The line remained silent for a moment.

Another long tense moment.

Until I heard Sevan finally sigh, "Then stop trying to make me mad, Zinovia," she said as if it were that simple.

I felt my lips form into an unusual pout, "Come back to Moscow and I will," I said before I could think it through.

Because maybe that's what this is all about.

Maybe I wanted her back here with me—and the only way to get that was to make her mad.

"I'll be back by the end of this week baby, you know this," Sevan said, her voice much calmer with me than before.

"We try for tomorrow," I determined, deciding to disregard her plans.

"Zinovia—"

"I want you here tomorrow," I cut her short immediately, "You don't tell me no, Sevan," I reminded her, hoping she didn't possibly confuse the power I still held.

"Look I can—"

"Oh my god Vani you have to see this," I heard her familiar voice say.

Which almost made my eye fucking twitch.

She's with Mireya?

She's with fucking Mireya?

"Zi."

And then there's the nickname.

I told her to get rid of that nickname.

"Zi, baby."

Fuck coming to Moscow.

I go to Colombia instead.

I kill Mireya instead.

"Zinovia," Sevan said much firmer, snapping me from my thoughts.

But I swear everything around me felt nonexistent.

Especially with this ball of anger settled at the front of my head.

"Get back to Mireya," I mumbled, which immediately earned a sigh from Sevan, "I get back to Nazara," I decided to say.

Maybe I will fuck her.

"Zinovia I fucking swear—"

I cut her short by ending the call, clenching my jaw as I lowered the phone.

I hate this.

I hate her.

I really hate her.

Because now I have to prove point.

I don't want to prove point.

But it's necessary now.