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

Chapter 30

Anatoly leadsme into the lobby of the Bolshoi Theatre, his hand possessively on my lower back as if I’m the most precious thing to him in the world. What a lie that is. To him, I’m just a sparkly accessory, something to show off.

Tonight is the big opening of Carmen, and the place is packed with Moscow’s glitterati.

I really wish Kira was here for moral support, but Maxim whisked her off to some tropical paradise. She hinted it had something to do with mafia business and Maxim being overly cautious. I hope it’s nothing serious, but Kira didn’t seem worried.

With a pompous smile on his face, Anatoly guides me through the crowd, soaking up the congratulations and excitement about our upcoming wedding. This is the only time he actually seems happy to be with me—when he’s got an audience.

I’ve just freed myself from a conversation with the mayor’s wife, when Anatoly slinks up beside me, grabbing my arm. “My sister is here with Roman Vasiliev.” He tilts his head towards the champagne fountain they’re standing in front of.

“I see that,” I say, struggling to keep my composure.

They look like the ultimate power couple. Roman is as handsome as ever, dressed in a tailored dark suit with his thick hair slicked back. Next to him, Katerina glows. I knew seeing them together tonight would be hard, but I hadn”t anticipated the surge of raw, homicidal emotion I’d feel. Especially when Katerina plasters herself to Roman’s side as they make polite conversation with a small group of people.

Glancing over, I’m surprised to see a frown on Anatoly’s face. Since I got home, he hasn”t mentioned Roman and me being alone in London, which I”m thankful for.

“I thought you”d be happy for Katerina to be dating your business partner,” I say, testing the waters.

Anatoly”s nostrils flare, and a cold flicker of something hard passes through his gaze. “I wouldn’t choose him as a brother-in-law. Vasiliev’s loyalty will always be to the Belov Syndicate, not to my family.”

My forehead creases. I”m unsure how to interpret that comment.

Anatoly spots a business crony in the crowd and stalks off after him.

I”m pulled into another conversation where I pretend to be excited about being a bride and the joys of wedding planning. Meanwhile, warmth spreads up my neck. My gaze drifts past the woman I’m speaking with and locks with a familiar set of deep brown eyes.

My stomach does a little dip, butterflies taking flight. Time slows, the crowd fades away, and for just a moment, I remember what it feels like to bask in Roman’s attention.

A figure steps in front of him, and the spell is broken. All I register is blonde hair and a red dress, much like my own, before his attention shifts to Katerina. She takes his face between her hands and brings her lips to his. It’s not a chaste kiss, nor is it a first-date kiss; it”s filled with tongue, heat, and passion—and it”s all wrong.

Mine.

The thought echoes through my brain.

What a lie. He’s not mine and never will be, but try telling that to my heart, aching with jealousy.

I didn’t believe Katerina when she told me that Roman had been pursuing her, but watching how she presses her body against his, their mouths still joined, I see I was wrong. He seems like a willing participant.

When she pulls away, the look of reverence he gives her is too much. His hand comes up and buries itself in her hair, then his eyes lock on hers as if she’s the only woman in the room.

Fuck this.

I can’t watch anymore. I can’t even bear to be in the same room as them. My heart feels like it”s been ripped out of my chest, thrown to the ground, and trampled repeatedly. The worst part is that I have no right to feel this way—Roman owes me nothing. I’m the one who pushed him away.

“Isn’t it time to take our seats?” I cut Anatoly off mid-conversation.

He narrows his eyes, irritated at the interruption. “What’s the rush? We have our own balcony.”

“I just… I don’t want to miss any of the show.”

He sighs in annoyance and tells his companions that he’ll join them for a drink later.

Clamping a hand around my elbow, he leads me toward his private balcony. “What’s gotten into you?” he snaps when we’re out of earshot. “You look unwell.”

“Just a headache,” I assure him. “Nothing Tylenol won’t fix. I have one in my clutch; I’ll just pop into the washroom to take it. I’ll meet you at our seats.”

He grunts in response, his attention already captured by his phone.

It takes me a few minutes to steady my breathing and rein in my emotions. I expected to see Roman and Katerina together, but I wasn’t prepared for that kiss and how he looked at her as he pulled away—like she meant something to him. Seeing Roman with Katerina feels like a slap in the face, a painful reminder of my gullibility.

How could I have been so blind? How could I let him fool me so completely?

Swallowing the lump in my throat, I take a deep breath and push out of the stall, fumbling in my purse for Tylenol because my headache is real.

“I see you didn’t take my advice.” That voice. Like nails on a damn chalkboard.

“I happen to think I look nice in red.” I refuse to make eye contact with Katerina. Instead, I focus on my reflection in the mirror. Just because I know she’s watching, I take out a tube of fire-engine red lipstick and apply it to my full lips.

“As long as you feel comfortable, that’s what counts.” She smooths down her already perfect blonde waves, admiring her reflection in the mirror. “Roman and I are sitting in the Belovs’ box tonight because we want a little privacy.” A slow, deliberate smirk spreads across her face. “Honestly, I don’t even know if we’re going to make it through the full opera with his wandering hands.”

My shoulders stiffen, a tight smile fixed in place. She has no clue how I feel about Roman. For her, it’s all about scoring one of Moscow’s most eligible bachelors. He ticks all the boxes: handsome, wealthy, and influential. And let’s be real, the bad boy vibe only adds to the appeal. For a woman like Katerina, those are green flags

“I’m so happy for you.” I put the cap back on my lipstick and drop it in my clutch. “I’m sure the rumors about Roman going through women faster than tissue aren’t true. I mean, I’ve never seen him with the same woman twice, but who knows. Maybe you’ll be the lucky one to stick around.”

Satisfaction zips through me as the smug look melts off her face, replaced by a pout. Part of me feels bad for leaning into Roman’s reputation—a reputation I wasn’t convinced of until tonight. Because I know what I saw. If he’s into someone like Katerina, he’s clearly not the man I thought he was.

I smooth down my dress, adding a little spring to my step as I pass her. “I’ll say goodbye now, just in case I don’t see you later. Oh, and don’t forget to bag it up. I hear herpes itches like a bitch.”