Chapter 47
KIR
I love her .
Which is why I have to do this.
I lower my face to her sleeping one, softly kissing her cheek and tucking the duvet around her shoulders.
Then it’s time.
Dimitri stands from the table in the back of his restaurant when I walk in. I shake his hand firmly before we sit.
“I appreciate you meeting me so early, Dimitri.”
He chuckles. “Eh, I’ve always been an early bird. It’s easier to see what I’d like to conquer next in the morning light.”
I smile, dipping my chin.
“So.” He clears his throat and pours tea from a samovar into a cup for me, then one for him. “What was it you wanted to discuss?”
I take a slow, deep breath. “Dimitri, I say this with the utmost respect for you, but I’m afraid our deal is no longer on the table.”
His brow furrows deeply. “You’re joking.”
“I’m not.”
He blinks in confusion, staring at me. “But… why , Kir? This arrangement is extremely beneficial to both of us, da ? We both get what we want. Why the fuck , if you’ll pardon my language, would you call it off?”
My jaw sets. “Because as much as I want to bury the hatchet…” I shrug. “Love, Dimitri,” I say plainly. “Love is why.”
A curious smile pulls at his mouth.
“ Innnteresting ,” he says, slowly nodding. “You know, I was at the charity ball the other day…Viktor Komarov’s fundraiser?”
“Really.”
He keeps nodding. “And I have to say…” He smiles a crooked grin. “Your date looked familiar. She’s with the Zakharova, isn’t she?”
When my eyes narrow, he raises his hands apologetically.
“I mean nothing malicious by that. I’m just quite dialed in to my Inessa’s dancing, and I know all her top competition for that apprenticeship. Including Ms. Ellis.” He looks at me pointedly. “She’s very talented.”
I nod. “They’re both extremely talented, Dimitri.” I exhale. “Look, I spoke with Ivan this morning. He’s just got one opening for now, but there may be another in a year and a half. I’m sorry, Dimitri, but I have to do what I have to do, and I hope you can understand that.”
Dimitri nods quietly, his eyes meeting mine. “You know walking away from this deal could mean war?”
I nod. “I do.”
“It could mean me burning your empire to ash ,” he says bluntly.
“I know that, too.” With a sigh, I push my chair back, stand, and button my jacket. Dimitri also rises, and I shake his hand. “I’m sorry that this is the way this has to play out, Dimitri. Truly.” I smile ruefully. “The things we do for love, hmm?”
He just nods quietly as I turn to head for the door.
“You would really give it all up for this girl?”
I pause, turning to look at him. “And then some,” I murmur.
“Kir.”
Dimitri walks over to me, a bemused expression on his face as his eyes lock with mine. “You’re serious? You would risk losing all of it for her?”
“I am, and I would,” I say quietly. “It’s not even a tough choice.” I draw in a breath as I extend my hand. Dimitri takes it, the look of bewilderment still on his face as I shake it firmly. “I’m sorry, Dimitri. I really am.”
Then I walk out the door.
I’ve only taken five steps before my phone rings with a call from Ivan.
“Your ears must have been burning, my friend,” I chuckle as I answer. “Just the man I was about to call.”
“Twice in one day?” Ivan says with a smile in his tone. “Another question about the openings in my company?”
I shake my head. “No. This time, I’d like to formally call in that favor we always joke about.” I sigh. “There’s a dancer I’ve been mentoring—Brooklyn Ellis. She’s already auditioned once for Liliya, and I believe she has a callback?—”
“The same Brooklyn Ellis who just called me?”
“Excuse me?”
“I’m not sure what’s going on, Kir. But as much as I’d love to honor the favor I owe you…well, I can’t here. Brooklyn just called me and bowed out.”
“She what ?”
“She bowed out. She thanked me for the opportunity, I asked if she was sure, she said she was, and that was that.”
What the FUCK, Brooklyn .
Just then, the door to the restaurant opens behind me.
“Kir—a word,” Dimitri says.
“Ivan? I’ll call you back.”
I hang up, my face a mask of puzzlement as I turn to face Dimitri.
He sighs heavily. “Enough of this, Kir,” he growls. “This is our fathers’ pigheadedness, not ours. So, let’s settle this without anyone owing anyone. You want New York, I want Moscow. There’s no disagreement there, is there?”
I shake my head. “None at all.”
I had my fill of my home country a long time ago.
Dimitri nods. “My Inessa is a fine dancer, but so is Brooklyn. How about we say no favors, and we stop tying their futures to our bullshit. They both audition for that one slot of Ivan’s, and whoever he picks?—”
“Inessa is going to Moscow, Dimitri,” I say quietly.
His eyes widen. “But?—”
“The decision, it would seem, has been made for us.” I shrug. “Brooklyn called Ivan and withdrew from the auditions. I would imagine that spot is Inessa’s, if she wants it. From what I’ve heard, she very much deserves it.”
Dimitri chuckles and claps me on the shoulder. “You love this girl?”
“More than anything.”
He grins. “You’re going to have your hands full with her, my friend.”
Don’t I know it .
The two of us formally shake on our new agreement and promise to keep communication open while our people get the necessary paperwork together.
“I’m still going to endorse Inessa to Ivan,” I tell him. “I know she doesn’t need it, but?—”
“The gesture is appreciated,” Dimitri says, dipping his chin. Then his brow furrows. “There’s one more thing. Lou Cassavetti. He hurt your girl, didn’t he?”
“He did,” I growl.
Dimitri’s face darkens. “He’s yours, then. I’ve been keeping him at one of my safe houses in Queens. I didn’t know all the things he’s done, and I needed him to finish cleaning my financials here in New York. After he was attacked?—”
“In the interests of transparency, you should know that was me, Dimitri,” I growl.
His mouth sours. “But he was hurting Brooklyn?”
I nod.
“Then he’s dead to me. I’ll text you the address of the safe house and let my men outside know that they can…take a break.”
I smile grimly as I shake his hand. “Thank you.”
“I look forward to turning a new page, my friend.”