Satin Princess(39)

“You’re walking in his shoes now, Anton. You took your father’s place a long time ago. And to be honest, you’re a better don than he was. It’s not hard to understand why Yulian would shift that admiration from him to you.”

“It’s not the same thing.”

“You’re too close to the situation to see it. But sometimes, I think you might benefit more from going a little easier on Yulian when he screws up. Because, chances are, he’s off somewhere beating himself up about this shit twice as hard as you ever would.”

I consider that for a moment, wondering if Lev has a point. I’ve never really seen that in my relationship with Yulian.

We’re brothers. So close in age that the idea that Yulian would replace our father with me seems strange.

“He just wants you to be happy,” Lev continues. “It’s why he got rid of her body in the first place. He didn’t want you to be implicated.”

“Yeah, that didn’t work out so well, did it?”

“Only because Marina was around to spread those rumors. She was obviously very active in death.”

I sneer, “Of course the bitch would find some way to rise from the ashes. Some people just aren’t smart enough to stay dead.”

“We can correct that,” Lev says dangerously.

I smile. “I like the way you think.”

“What is the plan?” Lev asks.

“With Yaromir in charge of the Ivanovs, their Bratva is practically under my control already. I can manipulate that runty bastard without even having to try.”

Lev strokes his chin thoughtfully. “But if Marina is alive, she’s going to set her sights on taking the throne. It’s her birthright, after all.”

I shake my head. “Unless she fucks every last soldier in the organization, I can’t see the Ivanov men choosing her to lead them.”

My lieutenant looks unconvinced. “Stranger things have happened. And men can be bought for a lot less than a good lay.”

I nod. “Correct. Which is why there is only one plan going forward: Locate Marina. Kill Marina. And this time, when we put her in the ground… I’m going to make sure she stays there.”





14





JESSA





Was I talking in my sleep last night?

The last thing I remember is falling asleep on Anton's chest, his deep voice a low rumble in my ear.

“What did I say?” I ask myself, straining to remember. "And what did Anton hear?"

“Talking to yourself, dear?”

I turn to the door just as Courtney walks in with a tray of water and a small bowl filled with vitamins.

“Just a little,” I mumble. “Seeing as how there’s no one else to talk to.”

“So I’m no one? My goodness, that’s cold.”

I giggle. “You just showed up.”

“Because I was busy talking to your doctor,” she informs me, setting the pills on the bedside table next to my water. “And I have good news.”

“Oh? Tell me.”

“You’re officially out of the woods. We’ve been monitoring you closely and your vitals are strong. So is the baby.”

“Does that mean I’m off bedrest?”

A big smile splits her face. “It does indeed.”

“Yes!” I crow, throwing the covers off me before I jump off the bed dramatically. Courtney looks both amused and nervous as I twirl on the spot with my arms raised.

I’m wearing a white strappy nightdress that came in for me yesterday along with a whole new wardrobe. It was pretty minimalist, but it had all the necessities. Jeans, t-shirts, sweaters, a coat or two. Everything is of the finest quality, but you wouldn’t know until you ran your fingers over the luxurious fabrics or felt the intricate stitches.

I would have made a fuss about it, but then I thought, what is the point? Anton would get his way in the end like he always does. And if he’s willing to spend on clothes for me, why shouldn’t I accept them?

“Okay, but listen to me, darling,” Courtney tells me urgently. “You’re off bedrest, but that doesn’t mean you should overdo it. You still need to rest up.”

“And I will. But I can at least walk around, right? I can leave the suite for a drive or something?”

“That’s up to Mr. Stepanov. But… I don’t know why he would have a problem with it.”

Unfortunately, I do.

He doesn’t want me out and about on my own when Marina is still at large.

This is the first time I find myself agreeing with his way of thinking. I have no desire to ever come face to face with her again.

“Where is Anton?” I ask.

Courtney folds her hands together in front of her lap. “He left for the day.”

I try to hide my disappointment. For some inexplicable reason, I expected him to be here when I woke up. In fact, I’ve come to expect it. Which is certainly not a good sign.

“Did he say where?”

“He didn’t. Not to me, at least.”

I exhale softly and turn towards the windows. In theory, I’m looking out at the view, but I’m not taking any of it in. I’m still trying to remember what I said while I was half-conscious last night.