Page 25

Regardless of everything I had going on behind the scenes, between the Gallo family causing more disruptions and Andrey being radio silent, Tia had been working incredibly hard on her art, and I didn’t want to detract from her night.

Finally, her showcase rolled around, and it provided a more than suitable escape from my usual headache.

Tia put her heart and soul into every brushstroke, and it showed. After enduring those long painting sessions that stretched on long into the night, mulling over every aspect of those pieces, and dealing with quiet self-doubt that she kept to herself, it all paid off.

Even if I had a lot resting on my shoulders, I wasn’t going to let it preoccupy me. Not when she deserved my undivided attention.

I promised her it would all be worth it, and I fully intended to live up to it.

Tia could’ve had the pick of any over-the-top venue, but instead, she chose a small but elegant one. Everything was clean and minimal to give the pieces the spotlight, and I had the feeling everything was laid out in a way she had been wanting since the day she decided to become an artist.

It didn’t take long for the crowd to pour in, with curious art lovers, critics, and other artists based in the city. The studio space hummed with life and mutual excitement while those many pairs of eyes roved over her hard work.

My whole family was there with their loved ones, meandering around and appreciating Tia’s musings for themselves. I even caught Yuri hyping up some of the paintings with the other bystanders, acting like he otherwise had no connections to the artist.

While Tia’s paintings were the highlight of the night, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of awe every time I looked in her direction. She had me completely enthralled in that black dress that was both elegant and alluring. She put herself together beautifully, all while showing off those tattoos I adored.

Her smile was warm yet vaguely apprehensive while the occasional person came up to speak with her, asking questions if they had any.

I stayed by her side, beyond proud to have that place myself, and I did my best not to distract her, even if it was difficult to keep my hands to myself at times.

When there was a brief lull in curious viewers, I bent a bit closer to her, murmuring, “You okay?”

Despite the subtle twinge of stress in her eyes, Tia gave me a small smile. “I’m fine…just a little nervous. I’m trying to take it all in.”

I understood where she was coming from, but I couldn’t hold back my warm grin in return. It was endearing to see that contrast in her, and it made the whole event feel even more worth it to me.

Softening, I put a gentle hand against the small of her back. “You look beautiful—and very professional. I’m proud of you.”

At my words, a bit of her anxiousness seemed to slip away, and I could tell it meant the world to her. “Thank you…for all of this. I’m glad you’re here.”

With a pull of my smile, I pressed a light kiss to her temple before murmuring, “I wouldn’t be anywhere else.”

And I meant it wholeheartedly.

Being able to witness Tia in her moment was a blessing in itself, let alone the fact that I even had the opportunity to help her in the first place.

It was easy to forget myself and everything else going on with those pressures lingering in the back of my mind, but seeing her in her element pushed all of it away. It gave me the chance to wind down and appreciate everything her presence in my life offered me.

I never cared much for art before, but ever since I met her, it looked different to me. I could feel the emotion it evoked, and I had a better capacity to appreciate the hard work that went into the craft.

If witnessing Tia’s process taught me anything, it was certainly a labor of love.

As the evening went on, Tia seemed to settle into a more comfortable state once the initial uncertainty wore off, and the reception was even better than expected.

She spoke to whoever would listen, running into my family members from time to time.

The girls were especially excited to be there, more than ready to provide as much support for her as they could.

I was determined to make sure nothing ruined her night, especially not with tensions being high in the circles I frequented. And in doing so, it meant being more on edge and vigilant. Of course, I asked my brothers to keep an eye out, as well.

Just as I drifted towards the drink table and went to grab something for myself, I spotted a familiar figure moving through the door.

Andrey.

He was dressed up in a tailored suit, looking well-groomed like usual. An air of refinement followed him as it always did, even if there was a touch of uncertainty in his body language.

I zeroed in on him, feeling the immediate rush of anger at him both because of his convenient vanishing act up until that point, and for the newest revelation about him.

It had been far too long since the last time he checked in with me, and our steady partnership was fraying to a dangerous degree.

With as much restraint as I could muster, I held myself back, despite wishing I could confront him head-on in front of everyone.

But I stopped myself. I couldn’t, for Tia’s sake.

It was her night. She deserved for it to go without a hitch. She deserved to feel special.

As Andrey moved further into the showcase, he greeted a woman he apparently knew. He didn’t make a single move without me witnessing it, and I wasn’t going to let anything get by me.

Finally, when he was closer to one of the back corners and away from everyone else, I pulled in a steadying breath and approached him.

“Andrey,” I said with a sharp yet civilized tone.

At once, Andrey turned to face me, and a flicker of fear spread through his features, followed by acceptance, rather, culpability he couldn’t hide.

He knew he was caught, yet he made no move to try and escape me.

“Val,” Andrey said steadily, giving me a nod. Despite the visible tension in his shoulders, he looked calmer than I expected. “Everything looks fantastic.”

Even if it was true, and I wanted Tia to have all the praise in the world, I bristled.

As far as I knew, I never extended any invitation to him, but even if Tia did, I wasn’t going to let him ruin her night.

“Why are you here?” I asked him bluntly, not trying to hide how frustrated I was with him.

Andrey sighed. “Look, Val…I know I have plenty to answer for, and I swear I don’t plan on avoiding it for much longer, but I’m not here to put a damper on Tatiana’s night. I certainly didn’t show up looking for a fight…I just want to support my daughter. This is a big occasion for her.”

I narrowed my gaze at him while I considered his words. Everything in me was screaming to kick him out and show him exactly how serious I was about it all…But I couldn’t.

“As far as I know, you’ve hardly spoken to her since the wedding. Why now?”

Guilt stitched within his features, and Andrey nodded. “Yes, that’s right. I haven’t checked in with her as I should have, but I didn’t want to get in your way, least of all hers.”

“She could’ve used your support then. Try as I did, it wasn’t an easy transition for her,” I told him, not prepared to sugarcoat anything. “She knows, by the way, about what you do, and what my family is tangled up in. You have a long way to go if you plan on gaining her trust again.”

Shame sat heavily on his shoulders then, and he seemed to take that more to heart than I expected.

“I see…I was hoping that wasn’t the case, but I suppose it was to be expected,” Andrey conceded, averting his gaze briefly before looking back at me. “Regardless, I know I’m asking a lot of you and of Tatiana, but I hope you’ll give me tonight to show her the care she deserves from her father, even if I haven’t been an exemplary one.”

I wanted to outright refuse him. I didn’t want to let him anywhere near Tia, but there was something about his sincerity that swayed me more than I cared to admit.

It would be all too easy to force him out and prevent the two of them from speaking. But that wasn’t my goal.

As much as I didn’t trust Andrey anymore, I also didn’t want to be the thing standing between them and possibly making amends. I didn’t want to have that blame on my shoulders.

If anything, I wanted to leave that up to Andrey himself, if things remained sour between them. Not me.

Letting out a breath, I made my decision and inwardly told myself to stand by it.

“Fine,” I muttered, surprised by my ability to let it slide. “For Tia’s sake, but only for tonight. Tomorrow, however, I expect a full explanation about everything down to the faintest detail. No hiding. No radio silence. Understand?”

As intimidating as Andrey could be, he was anything but in the moment. He may have been the business tycoon, but I was the one fully immersed in the city’s darker side. While he was my partner in the strip club operations, I was still above him on the pecking order. What I said went, and I knew that fact was clear enough to him.

Despite looking a bit apprehensive at the idea of being completely open with me after everything, well aware of the storm he’d have to face, Andrey nodded. “I understand. I’ll come clean about it all…you have my word.”

Despite the lingering traces of doubt in me, I was satisfied enough by his answer, and I nodded. “Good…then we won’t mince words tomorrow. For now, don’t ruin this for Tia.”

Pulling in a breath, Andrey acknowledged my demand, then walked off in Tia’s direction.

Standing there for a moment longer, I kept an eye on him.

I didn’t trust him, and I wasn’t sure if I ever could again. But something in me wanted to have faith that he was being honest, and he really did care about Tia.

If it ended up being something she needed, then I wasn’t going to stand in the way of it. And if his presence added to her night, then who was I to prevent that from happening?

“Lucky you, huh?”

Blinking my stupor away, I turned to find Yuri standing there with a drink in hand. His grin was brimming with amusement.

“You scored yourself a real prize after all…and a talented one at that,” he continued, nudging my arm.

I huffed at his antics, but I conceded and nodded. “I won’t deny that. This is good for her.”

“And for you, too, apparently.”

Cocking a brow at him, I couldn’t avoid my curiosity. “What do you mean?”

Yuri chuckled. “I’ve never seen you smile for such a long period. I fear she might be having a good influence on you.”

“Come off it,” I returned, brushing him off. “I’m just glad she’s happy.”

Despite my sincerity, that only seemed to fuel him further.

“Exactly…she has you completely wrapped around her finger.”

Even if he was being ridiculous, I knew he had a point.

She had me so completely, in all ways, and I wouldn’t trade it for anything.