Ruthless Reign: A Dark Mafia Forbidden Romance (Tarnished Reign Book 1)

Chapter 2

Anatolyand his family are the first to arrive. My fiancé strides through the door, with the confidence of a man sure of his place in the world. He’s in his late twenties, with thinning dirty blond hair and a growing paunch he disguises with sharply tailored suits.

Back in school, he was considered handsome, but his looks have faded along with any charm he might have had. The only one who can’t see that is my mother, who”s currently fawning over him like he’s the second coming of Jesus.

Anatoly’s parents are next through the door. Talya, his mother, offers me a quick air kiss, while helping her husband, Stepan, shuffle forward. I briefly embrace him. Having recently been diagnosed with colon cancer, he’s noticeably thinner and unsteady on his feet.

“I told you we’d be the first ones here.” Anatoly’s younger sister, Katerina, blows past her parents, looking around the foyer with disappointment.

It’s hard to say who my least favorite Petrovich is, but Katerina and Anatoly are definitely in the running for first place. Much like her brother, she believes she”s God”s gift to the world.

“Katerina,” I say in greeting, leaning in to give her an awkward half-hug.

When she pulls back, she gives me a slow once-over, her disdain for my dress clear. Well, that makes two of us.

Looking every bit the socialite she is, she’s paired a sparkly gold dress with thigh-high boots and enough bling to cause temporary blindness.

“So glad you could make it tonight,” I lie.

She doesn’t bother pretending she’s happy to be here. Instead, she tosses her hair behind her shoulder and scans the foyer. “I heard Roman Vasiliev is coming tonight. Is that true?”

My eye twitches. If I have to watch Katerina hang off Roman’s arm all night, I might just gouge my eyes out. Not because I care who he gets involved with, but just because that would be… irritating.

“That’s the word,” I confirm. “News sure travels fast.”

I”m not surprised she’s interested, he”s exactly Katerina”s type. Rich, good-looking, and ruthless—just like her.

Katerina offers me a tight smile before announcing she needs a drink and sauntering off.

Catching Sofiya”s eye as she watches from the sidelines, I mouth, Bitch. My sister giggles, fully aware of my feelings toward Anatoly’s sister.

“Elizaveta. You haven’t greeted your fiancé yet.” I stiffen as Anatoly drops a kiss onto my cheek. His aftershave is too strong, and I hate the way his hand curls over my hip.

Well, tonight’s off to a great start.

“Excuse me, Sofiya. Your sister and I need to have some words in private.” He clasps my arm and pulls me into a quiet corner of the foyer.

After last night, I have to force myself to look him in the eyes, just as I have to force myself not to spit in his face.

His fingertips brush over my face, the very area he backhanded. “Good, no bruise. I knew I didn’t hit you very hard.” I bite my cheek to avoid telling him to fuck off. “You know I didn’t mean it. I”m just stressed out because of everything going on with my father.”

Does he believe his own lies?

I can’t hold my tongue any longer. “The reason you don”t see a bruise is because I covered it with makeup.”

He dismisses my words with a flick of his wrist. “I don”t want to fight. Tonight”s for celebrating. By the way, you look perfect.”

His eyes trail down my body and I squirm under his heated gaze. I hope he doesn’t think I’ll make time to be alone with him tonight. Honestly, I’d rather eat worms.

“Thank you,” I say, to keep the peace. “The dress is…” Slutty. “Daring.”

“With that sweet body of yours, you can pull it off.”

Over Anatoly’s shoulder, I see Kira and Maxim arrive fashionably late. Kira waves at me across the room while my parents rush to greet them.

I grin and wave back, then turn to Anatoly. “Are we done here? I have other guests to greet.”

His mouth hardens. “This dinner is important. I expect you to act accordingly.”

“I know what’s expected of me,” I say between clenched teeth.

Tonight, we’re celebrating a new and very lucrative deal between the Petroviches and the Belovs. In short, Petrovich ships will be transporting illicit goods between the Belov Syndicate in Russia, and the Brooklyn-based Kozlov Bratva, run by Kira’s brothers. Essentially, US goods will be sold in Europe and vice versa.

Everyone but me is excited about this partnership. Because Anatoly going into business with my best friend’s husband just tightens the ties that bind me to him, and that’s the last thing in the world I need.

I look down at his hand still wrapped tightly around my arm. “Can you please let me go?” I hiss. “I need to mingle.”

He releases me, but I can still feel the area where he grasped me too tightly.

“You know I just want the best for you,” he murmurs. “The best for us, but you don’t always make it easy.”

Kira’s weaving her way towards us and I’m anxious to end this conversation. I attempt the sweetest smile I can muster. “Let’s start over. You know I hate fighting with you.”

He pats my ass. “I accept your apology.”

I school my expression as Kira approaches and wraps me in her arms. She may be several inches shorter, but she has the presence of someone twice her size and hugs like her life depends on it.

Kira turns and greets Anatoly with forced politeness. She’s no fan of his. She didn’t like Anatoly when we were in school, and I can’t say she likes him any better now.

In some ways, not a lot has changed—he was as much an entitled rich snob back then as he is today. Still, his good looks and family’s name had girls lining up to date him. Maybe it’s because I wasn’t interested in him that he pursued me. I brushed him off every time, but he was relentless. He’d corner me at school dances, send me unwanted gifts, and he even broke into our dorm one night with a bouquet of flowers. Kira, who was my roommate then, nearly pushed him out the window.

I should have known tigers don’t change their stripes.

“It’s so good to see you!” Kira exclaims.

“You too. And you look amazing,” I gush, just as Maxim comes up from behind and wraps his wife in his powerful arms. “Pregnancy really agrees with you.”

“I tell her that all the time,” Maxim whispers against her neck, cradling her lower stomach with the palm of his hand, even though there’s no bump to speak of this early in her pregnancy.

“Not sure you’ll be saying that when I hit the third tri and I’m as big as a whale and can’t tie my shoelaces.”

“Sounds hot,” he purrs. “I’ll gladly get down on my knees and tie your shoes for you.”

A sly smile spreads on Kira’s face. “I”ll take you up on that offer.”

Not in a million years did I imagine Maxim—the cold-as-ice bratva leader—would melt for anyone, especially my wild-child best friend, but that’s exactly what happened. Seeing them happy together is wonderful, but it also brings a twinge of sadness. It’s a reminder that I’ll never experience what they have.

Kira loops her arm around Maxim’s neck and drops a kiss on his lips. “Why don’t you men folk go talk about business stuff? I need time alone with Liza.”

Maxim gives me a wink and leads Anatoly towards the bar.

With a sneer, Kira watches my fiancé walk away. I can only imagine what she’d do if she knew about the bruise I’m hiding.

I link my arm through hers as we head into the sitting room, where most of the guests are mingling with champagne in hand. Soft jazz music wafts through the air, played by a pianist on a grand piano in the corner. I don”t want to know how much my parents paid for that stupid luxury.

“I know you hate when people fuss over you,” I say, “but how are you feeling? Really.”

Not long ago, Kira survived an attack on her life. The incident contributed to her pregnancy being categorized as high-risk, which is why she needs to keep stress and worry to a minimum.

Kira groans. “I’m feeling great, other than my husband driving me crazy. He has me on a schedule of prenatal yoga, tai chi, daily meditation and massage. All this relaxation is driving me insane.”

“Only you would feel that way.” I shake my head with a grin. “In this case, I think you should listen to Maxim. He”s a wise man.”

“Sometimes,” she concedes.

A server comes around and offers us each a glass of champagne. Kira shakes her head no while I accept one and take a swig of the cool liquid. “Anyhow, tell me all about your time in New York.”

Her eyes light up. “It was a whirlwind, but it was amazing to see everybody.”

As she details her recent trip, a deep baritone laugh echoes through the room.

That voice.

A combination of nerves and excitement flutters in my chest. When I look up, my breath catches in my throat.

I always forget how damn attractive Roman Vasiliev is.

Piercing eyes the color of rich espresso and thick, tousled dark hair I have fantasized about running my fingers through more times than I’ll ever admit. Not to mention his tall frame and defined muscles, evident even under the fabric of his clothes. Tonight, he’s wearing a sharp dark navy suit tailored perfectly to his frame, tattoos just peeking out of his collar. I’m not used to seeing him in anything but jeans, T-shirt, and maybe a leather jacket, so this is a departure from his usual style. I’m definitely not complaining.

Too bad he’s so stinking annoying.

Right now, he’s chatting in the corner with Katerina, who’s resting a hand on his forearm like they’re friends. Or more.

Irritation flickers through me.

As if Roman feels my gaze, his attention snaps to me. Our eyes meet, and a jolt of something hot and uninvited surges through me. A small smile plays on his entirely too full lips.

A man shouldn’t have a mouth like that. It’s practically… pouty.

I swallow hard and turn away, trying to douse the surge of heat I feel every time he’s near.

“Oh, by the way.” Kira’s voice breaks me out of my fog. “Everything is set for London! I have every maternity store from Knightsbridge to Soho mapped out.”

Kira and I are taking a trip to the UK this weekend. It’s something I’ve been looking forward to for weeks.

I give her a faux-stern look. “Aren’t you supposed to be taking it easy?”

“Don’t worry, we’re going to take frequent high-tea breaks. That’s what London’s about, right?”

“Never been,” I admit, “but I’m excited for you to show me around.”

Taking a sip of champagne, I savor the bubbles, hoping the drink will ease the tension that’s built up inside me. There are several reasons for me to be on edge tonight, but watching Katerina fawn all over Roman is high up on that list.

He casually leans against the wall, his thumb brushing against his bottom lip. Katerina is talking to him, but his eyes remain on me.

This is our game. We’re polite when others are around, but our sharp looks express everything we can’t say. Except right now, he’s not really glaring. He’s staring at me with dry amusement.

Kira stops talking mid-sentence, her brows furrowed. “Is everything okay? You seem distracted.”

“I’m just a little light-headed. Must’ve not eaten enough today.” I shake my head and focus on gulping back the rest of my drink.

Before Kira can respond, my father’s booming voice rises above the din, inviting everyone into the dining room.

Saved by the dinner bell.

“I’m just going to pop to the ladies’,” I tell Kira, with a little squeeze of her arm. “I’ll see you in a minute.”