Champagne Venom (Orlov Bratva, #1)(69)

I can’t stop smiling.

A lightness spreads through me that alleviates some of the nervousness I’m feeling about the board meeting today. I hurry through my shower and take my time dressing in every piece of clothing Misha chose. Not because I want to please him, but because I genuinely like everything he gave me.

By the time I finish with my makeup, I feel capable of handling anything the day might throw at me.

My car is waiting for me outside in the drive, but Konstantin is standing next to it with a mischievous smile. “Mind if I bum a lift to work with you?”

I roll my eyes. “Don’t play coy with me. Misha made you my personal bodyguard, didn’t he?”

“Bingo.” Smirking, he gets into the passenger seat. “But the way I see it, you’re a lucky lady. I’m nicer to look at than anyone else on the security team.”

I toss my heels into the back and climb into the driver’s seat with bare feet. “I don’t need a bodyguard.”

“You’re only saying that because you don’t know Petyr Ivanov like we do,” he warns. “Trust me, Paige: this is necessary.”

I realize all at once that Konstantin must have known Misha’s brother, too. I don’t know why it hasn’t occurred to me before, and I don’t know why it occurs now. “Were you close with Maksim?” I ask.

Konstantin’s hands tighten on his knees. “I, uh… yeah. We grew up together. I was over at their house more than I was at my own.”

“So you know what happened… between Maksim and Petyr.”

He glances at me inscrutably. “Yeah,” he breathes. “I know what happened. In some ways, it was inevitable. The Orlovs and the Ivanovs, they’re… they’re… Shit, I don’t even know what they are.”

“You’re saying it’s a family thing?”

“I’m saying it’s complicated,” Konstantin offers up evasively. “And, more to the point, it’s Misha’s story to tell.”

“Seems to me it’s as much your story as his.”

“Maybe. But you are his wife. I’m not about to step into that.”

I know he’s making the smart move. If I was anyone else, I wouldn’t want to interfere in Misha’s business. Yet, if Misha is going to assign Konstantin as my guard, I’m going to do my best to make the most of it.

“Has he told his mother about me yet?” I ask bluntly.

Konstantin squirms in his seat. “Um…”

“That’s answer enough,” I sigh. “I had no idea I was such an embarrassment. We’re married, and he won’t even tell his mother about me.”

“He isn’t embarrassed of you,” he says gently. “I think it’s just easier for him to compartmentalize.”

I don’t bother asking him to explain that. I can already tell that I’ve pushed him past his comfort zone.

Still, when we arrive at Orion headquarters, Konstantin jumps out of the car like it’s about to explode.

I don’t mind. I have a board meeting to prepare for.

I head directly to the boardroom where the meeting will take place so I can get the lay of the land.

Rowan is there already, placing files and water in front of each chair.

“That’s not your job,” I say to announce my arrival.

“Morning to you, too,” she says distractedly. “I know it’s not, but I need to keep busy. Are you okay?”

I grimace. “A little nervous, but—”

“No, I mean about yesterday,” she says. “Misha seemed pretty pissed.”





“Oh, right. It turned out okay. He took me home and cooked me dinner.”

“Oh,” Rowan says, raising an eyebrow. “Okay, that’s a relief. I was worried he’d be mad. I mean, he looked mad.”

“I think he was just mad at the situation. Even if he was mad at me, he would never hurt me.”

The moment the words are out of my mouth, I realize I mean them. I genuinely believe that. Somehow, I’ve given him my trust when I promised myself I’d be smarter this time.

“Good. I’m glad…” Rowan’s voice trails off.

I shove my existential crisis aside for later and redirect my focus. “What about you? Are you okay?”

She gives me a nervous smile. “Petyr Ivanov really freaks me the fuck out.”

“He’s got major creeper vibes.”

“Forget creeper vibes; he’s got major ax murderer vibes. He reminds me of one of my exes.”

I stifle a laugh. “One of your exes had ax murderer vibes?”

She shakes her head and forces a smile onto her face. “Ignore me. I shouldn’t be bringing you down with my hang ups. Today is all about your first board meeting as Head of Marketing. It’s a Paige day, not a Rowan day.”

A fresh wave of nerves washes through me. It’s still weird to hear her say that kind of thing out loud.

“You look amazing, by the way. That suit is kickass,” Rowan says.

I run my hands down the front of the jacket. “It was a gift from Misha.”

Rowan’s expression melts into a dreamy smile. “He really is good to you, isn’t he?”

“He promised me he would be,” I say softly. “I guess I’m starting to believe him.”