Page 28 of Silent Ties

A sheepish grin tugs at her lips. “I wish.”

Ruining the idea, a knock bangs against the door.

“Are you?” I ask, pointing over my shoulder.

“Are you?” she replies, a serious expression crossing her face.

I smooth my hair back and shrug. Not really, but what’s the point. “I don’t suppose you know where they keep the good stuff?”

She laughs. “I don’t actually know the place very well anymore. It’s why I hid out here.”

A man frowns when we exit together, but says nothing as he slams the door shut.

“Do you need another drink?” Lennie offers. Her words are tentative like she expects me to turn her down.

“That’d be great.”

We walk back to the main room, where people still congregate in little groups. I take one sip before I feel Max’s presence by my side.

“Lennie.”

She fiddles with her hair, pushing back the strands to show off her scar-free cheek. “Hi. How have you been?”

He nods but doesn’t offer much and a second later, something over his shoulder catches her eye.

“It was lovely to meet you,” she softly says, ducking away.

“Bye.” I wave, disheartened to see my only ally leave. “Do you know her well?”

Max glances towards Lennie, now tucked away with two other women, their builds and mannerisms similar enough that I pick up the family connection. “She’s an Akatov.”

Shock tingles over my skin. “The Akatov’s are here?”

Of course, it’s a party full of mafia royalty. But other than Lennie there’s been no putting names to faces.

And everyone knows the Akatov name.

Elijah appears before he can say anything and maybe I imagine it, but when his eyes narrow on who we’re looking at, the two sisters beside Lennie edge toward her. Creating a curtain to shield her out of sight.

To shield her from Elijah.

And color me fucking intrigued.

CHAPTER 8

Maxim

Elijah, the annoying shit, won’t leave me alone. From bursting in the moment I pulled into the garage to dinner, he’s stuck by my side. I’ve had to placate him or else he goes to my wife, looking to strike up a conversation with her.

If there’s one thing I don’t need in this marriage, it’s Russet and Elijah forming a friendship.

“You think your mother likes your new wife?” he asks while pouring me a drink after dinner. I’m itching to get home so I hold the glass in my hand but don’t take a sip. Uncle Dima’s already gone and as soon as I can get on the road, I want to be ready.

“I think it might be a pretty frosty relationship so far,” Elijah says.

“What’s that, son?” Dad booms, coming into the kitchen. He’s taken his jacket off and appears lighter now that dinner is over. He won’t get his house back anytime soon, not with the amount of alcohol served, but he knows after the meal is served Mom is less likely to try to get him to socialize.

We take to our usual spot—the kitchen island. There’s atray full of appetizers and chocolate cake. Dad cracks open a new bottle of whiskey, looking completely satisfied to sit around in the kitchen with his boys.