“Zhenya,” my sister replied, grinning at me. “It is nice to see Iosif is capable of having female friends.”
I scoffed at her as she introduced Akim and Alexandr. Zhenya turned and quickly gave her a rundown of the people in the room. Clara nodded at each as they greeted her. Clara turned back and smiled broadly at me. I swallowed the mountain growing in my throat, hoping she wouldn’t reveal who she really was.
So many of her family's enemies in one room could prove to be dangerous. Clara came to stand by my side. She slipped her hand around my arm and held it. As most of the other guests came closer.
As my family gathered, my brothers assembled to one side and the Dubow family to the other side. Clara scanned the faces before turning to Avgust. “Avgust,” she said. “We’ve met briefly, and I remember meeting Lukyan and Timofey.”
Clara turned her attention to the Dubow family. “Zhenya,” Clara huffed. “You are the youngest female among the Chernykh siblings, and as I understand, you are married to Akim Dubow.”
Zhenya grinned, glancing at me as she spoke. “You are very observant, unless Iosif has spoken about us more than he is willing to admit.”
I shook my head as I placed an arm around Clara. “I have not discussed any family logistics with my friend, but you may think what you want,” I said jokingly to my sister.
“Then she is very good,” Zhenya replied, laughing.
I could see Carla relaxing as she summed up Zhenya. I felt sure that she and Zhenya would end up being best friends.
Clara and Zhenya moved towards the bar to pour another drink. I watched, astounded, as they seemingly clicked together like pieces of a puzzle. They were chatting and laughing like old friends.
I felt it was imperative that Clara not expose who she was or any part of her life. Heading towards them, with the intent of keeping them apart, I was pulled aside by my brother Avgust.
“I am on a mission,” I huffed at Avgust. “I have to prevent Clara from exposing herself.”
Avgust glanced at the two women at the bar and then spoke in a low tone as he looked back at me. “I think you worry too much, as it seems she is capable of hiding who she is.”
Staring at Zhenya and Clara, I had to admit that I was impressed by how she handled the situation. Then I noticed one of the Dubow cousins pulling Clara away from Zhenya. I have never met him in person, but have heard stories about him.
I watched for a moment, feeling my anger rise as he appeared to be overly touchy with Clara. Walking closer, I overheard the last part of their conversation. “I really like you,” the Dubow cousin told Clara.
The muscles in my jaw clenched as I felt my anger erupting. Moving closer quickly, I placed my arm around Clara’s shoulders. Staring him in the eyes, I spoke in a level tone. “Clara is spoken for.”
He turned his head to the side as he replied, sounding sarcastic. “I was not aware. I thought she was only a friend.”
“No,” Clara answered. “I never said or indicated that I was available.”
“What a shame,” the young man before us huffed as he lightly reached out and touched Clara’s hand.
I felt my anger turning to rage and knew if we didn’t move the conversation, a fight could be the end result. “I think that’s enough for tonight,” I spat at him as I pulled Clara towards me.
“You know,” I heard the young man say behind us. Stopping and turning, I looked him in the eye as he continued to push. “I can show you a good time.”
“I bet you can,” Clara shot back at him. I could see the disgust in her posture and hear the mocking in her tone.
Even though my blood was boiling, I felt proud of the way Clara handled the situation.
Pulling away from me, Clara stepped closer to the Dubow cousin. I ran my hands through my hair, feeling frustrated. We have an alliance with the Dubow and Mozorov families. How dare this man come to my house and hit on Clara?
“Maybe another time,” I heard Clara say to the stranger.
This was the last straw, as I felt everything inside me exploding. I grabbed Clara by the arm and pulled her with me as I walked out of the room. “I think we need to talk,” I spat at her, seeing only red.
I led her away from everyone. As we reached the bottom of the stairs, I turned her to face me. “Are you not happy? Am I not enough, that you want to show other men a good time?” I shouted, unable to control my anger anymore.
Snapping, I gripped Clara tightly as I pulled her towards me. I took her lips by force, ensuing a passionate kiss. Pulling back, she stared blankly into my eyes for a moment before snapping at me. “He will never handle me this way.” Clara placed both her tiny hands on my chest as she tried to push me back.
“You think he is better than me?” I asked as I leaned closer. My lips brushed her ear, as the smell of her intoxicated me. Closing my eyes, I couldn’t imagine another man laying a hand on her. “You have no idea of what that man is capable of,” I whispered into her ear. I could hear the anger in my tone and knew I had to take a step back.
Letting go of her, I stepped back. “Why do you do this to me?” I huffed. The way I was feeling, I could drag her down the hall and show her what kind of man I truly was, consequences be damned.
