Edmund is close now, about ten yards away.
Dmitri grits his teeth.“If I’m your daddy, thenI’mthe boss.No one had to die.”
Because he’sDaddy, he’s the boss?I put my hands on my hips.“You asshole?—”
Edmund, Troy, and the woman are too close now, so I can’t finish the tirade I’m about to go on.But this is absolutely not over between Dmitri and me.He can’t pull thedaddycard to win an argument; that’s not how this works.
“Dmitri Aseyev.”Edmund grins, his white teeth looking less friendly and more threatening.“What are you doing in the Salding district?”
“It’s Montrose, not Aseyev.And I’m here for the benefit.”Dmitri’s stance is stiff and annoyed.“Obviously.”
“We’d prefer if you spoke to us before wandering into our neighborhood.”Edmund brushes an invisible piece of lint from his sleeve.“It could be dangerous for you here if the wrong people catch you.”
Dmitri doesn’t respond.A long, tense silence stretches between us.I look back and forth between the men.Troy scowls.
The blond woman behind Edmund, in a sparkling black gown, taps Edmund’s shoulder.“Eddie, let’s go.”
Troy’s scowl deepens.He doesn’t appear to approve of Edmund’s date.
“Leah.”Edmund smiles again, and this time it seems genuine.“Tell Danica that Troy and I say hello.”
“Youfucking bastard.”Dmitri starts forward.
Troy moves in front of Edmund, just as fast.
I smoothly step between the guys, causing Dmitri to stop abruptly.He’s coiled behind me, ready to spring.
“Hey.”I paste on a smile.I’d hate for this kind of drama to ruin Olivia’s benefit.Her organization deserves better than a bunch of testosterone-fueled gorillas smashing through the dining room.“We’re here for the benefit, not for…whatever this is.We’ll keep to one side of the room, you keep to the other.Does that sound fair?”
“Of course.”Edmund’s voice is smooth and calm.His green eyes glitter like emeralds.“Leah, it was a pleasure.”
His date wraps her hand around his arm and sends a fearful glance back toward Dmitri.Troy’s expression is far more menacing, but he follows along as well.
I spin around and face Dmitri.“Explain.”
He’s staring after them, not looking at me.Through gritted teeth, he says, “The Laytons are a crime family.”
“Cool.”Although it isn’t cool—it’s kind of scary.I’ve had enough crime, and no thank you, I am not interested in hanging around a crime family.But there has to be more to it for Dmitri to be so aggressive toward them.“And…?”
“And so are the Aseyevs.”His eyes are cold like the Arctic sea.“The two don’t get along.”
It takes me a long moment to connect the dots.The Aseyevs.The Laytons.Crime families.
Dmitri’s family is in organized crime?It shouldn’t make sense, but in some ways, it does.I remember looking at all those old photos of Danica’s grandfather and his friends.Danica and I had so many wild theories.They were true, some of them?And neither Dmitri nor Danica have said one fucking word to me in all the years we’ve known each other.
Maybe it’s a stupid thing to feel upset over.After all, Dmitri and I hid our relationship from Danica.Maybe I’m overreacting.Maybe hiding important shit from each other is just something people do.
But my eyes are tearing up and I’m starting to lose my composure.This isn’t the place for fights or freak-outs.
Dmitri reaches for me, his face pinched in regret.“Hey, I’m sorry?—”
“I—I need a minute.”
“Leah, don’t run off?—”
I hold up a hand in astopgesture.I’m not going to run, not like I did to Gage.But if I stay here another second, I’m going to start crying in front of everyone.“A minute.Maybe five.”
Maintaining a placid expression as I leave the ballroom is difficult.I focus on each step, struggling to keep my balance while I hold in tears.I hope I’m managing myself okay.Olivia is a new friend, and a good one.I’m sure she wouldn’t judge me for crying at her party, but I’d really rather not.
