Page 96 of Emerald Vices

“You’re not obligated to wear any of it. I just wanted to give you the option.”

“‘Not obligated’?!” Katya shrieks. “Of course she’s obligated! I obligate you, Nat. Look at those diamonds. They deserve to be worn. Put them on or I’ll put them on for you. Either that or steal them and wear them myself.”

Clearly outnumbered, I shrug. “Oh, alright. Put them on me.”

Katya plucks the diamond necklace from its perch like just touching it is enough of a treat. “But first, let’s take off the cherries?—”

“No!” I grab my chain before she can get her hands on it. “The cherry pendant stays on.”

Katya gapes at me. “But Nat, it doesn’t go with the whole look.”

“Don’t care. I’m not taking it off.”

Katya looks at Andrey for some support, but he just shrugs. “It’s up to her.”

She rolls her eyes and proceeds to put the rest of my jewelry on over the cherries resting just above my heart.

Andrey leans over my shoulder and presses a kiss to the nape of my neck. “You look perfect.”

Feeling confident, I take Andrey’s arm and he leads me downstairs, where our chariot awaits in the form of a stretch limo. He opens the door and waves me into the backseat, and for one foolish, wild second, I see a flash of an alternate reality.

In that reality, I’m not wearing a midnight blue dress; I’m wearing a snowy white one. I’m holding a bouquet of white roses and Andrey is in a tux. There are rings on both our fingers and the sky overhead is a fluttering mass of doves.

The vision disappears when I turn back to the house and see Shura standing in the entrance. Apparently, he won’t be joining us for dinner, but he will be part of the security detail.

When Katya sees him, she tucks her bruised arm behind her back.

“Ready to go?” Shura asks. He’s talking to me, but his eyes are trained on Katya, who seems to be playing hide-and-seek behind Mila.

Every time Shura tries to move closer to her, she moves in the opposite direction. I have to admit, I understand the instinct. The last time a man touched me without my permission, he disappeared. Katya probably doesn’t want the same drama.

I maneuver my whale-like body into the back of the stretch limo with Andrey, but just as he closes the door, I see Shura snatch Katya’s wrist.

“Oh, shit.”

“What’s going on?” Andrey is immediately on high alert.

“I don’t really know,” I admit.

Andrey follows my gaze out the window. Shura and Katya are yelling at each other, their muffled voices making their way into the limo.

Scowling, Andrey hits the top of the limo’s ceiling. “Let’s go, Vaska.”

“Without Shura?”

Andrey glances out the window. “I’d say he’s got enough to deal with.”

40

ANDREY

She checks the jewels hanging off her ears and neck again and again, as though she’s scared she’ll lose them. Even when she tucks her fingers under her thighs to control herself, she keeps fidgeting for the rest of the drive. She trips twice on the way up the hotel stairs, even though I’ve got my arm looped around her waist.

I make no mention of it. Any of it. At least, not until we arrive outside the doors of the private rooms where we’ll be having dinner and she comes to an abrupt stop.

“You okay?” I ask.

“I just need a moment.”