Page 33 of Depraved Royals
She looks incredible and very much the part. She pops her hip like a model, then frowns.
“You don’t like it?” she asks.
I realize I’m not saying anything. “Sorry,milaya. Of course I like it. Well worth the wait.”
She claps her hands. “So hurry up then! You’re already drinking, and I want to have fun!
* * *
The Samhain Ball has two faces.
On the one hand, it’s a party for powerful, wealthy, and shady people. Politicians, police, judges, businessmen, millionaires, and criminals spend the evening back-slapping and hand-shaking, congratulating one another on being masters of the universe. This is the event that Dani has attended in the past, the one she thinks she’s going to tonight.
TheotherSamhain Ball is upstairs.
The hotel’s top floor is closed, and the elevator is guarded. There are no invitations or requirements other than a lot of money if you want to make the list. But once you get up there, you’re no one. You’re anonymous, and only your actions can define you.
No phones. No names. No aftermath.
One night to let it all out.
We don’t attract any attention as we get out of the car. The hotel lobby is full of people milling around, checking in their coats and air-kissing.
Then I see him.
Fuck.
Simeon is here.Why?There can only be one answer.
I scan the room. I need to send Dani away so I can get rid of my idiot brother before this whole situation blows up in my face. Mercifully, I see Mel in the cloakroom queue, struggling under several coats.
“Your sister is over there. Help her, then join the party. There’s something I gotta do.” I move away quickly before Dani asks any troublesome questions.
Simeon is sitting at a table in the bar area, waving jauntily in my direction.
“What the fuck do you want?” I say, sitting down beside him. “You know why I’m here. Can’t you let me have my fun?”
“You’re not supposed to be enjoying yourself,” Simeon sneers. “You’ve had plenty of time to get the job done, but I saw Fyodor Pushkin just now, alive and well. Idina won’t be happy.”
“I spoke to her earlier, and she knows I’m playing the long game. Don’t pretend you’re here because she asked you to be. You’re just spying on me, hoping I’ll fuck up so you can tell on me to Mommy and get a pat on the head.”
Simeon sniffs and adjusts his shirt collar. “So what is if I am? It’s only me who seems to know that my father was wrong about you.Hewas strong. You don’t have the guts to take what’s ours.”
I don’t want to hurt Simeon. I’ve already hurt him enough to last a lifetime. But he’s pushing my buttons because he knows exactly what I’m afraid of.
There will be time to deal with all this bullshit, but tonight is for us - me and Dani. I’m already buzzed on vodka and ready to do my thing, and this little weasel and his sad machinations are not gonna kill my good vibes.
Still, the urge to slap the smirk off Simeon’s face is strong.
“Fuckingleave,” I say. “You can’t get in upstairs anyway because you don’t get enough allowance. I have money to burn.”
“Myfather’s money,” he says. “Mine, by right.”
“But not by his Will. He didn’t leave you a thing. So go home. It’s past your bedtime.”
I leave Simeon to stew and head off to retrieve Dani from the party. I find her at the buffet table, dipping strawberries into the chocolate fountain.
“Doesn’t your Papa make these into faces for you, too?”