Chapter 2

Tori

T he waitress passes us with a tray of Champagne, and I take one and knock it back. This isn't my scene and my nerves are getting the better of me. Dmitry eyes me suspiciously as I place the glass back on the tray and take another. I don't even like Champagne, but if I'm going to endure the company of Vivian and Dmitry's father, I need something to dull the unsettled feeling in my stomach caused by the leering eyes.

"Take your time, Victoria. We all know how you get when you've drunk too much," he whispers, tucking a stray curl behind my ear. I let out a long breath that I hadn't even realised I was holding. "Relax," he says as he takes the glass from me and places it on a nearby table. He grabs my hand, guiding me through the crowd to the dance floor.

I smile at his fun-loving side as he places his arm around my waist and brings me into his chest. Resting my head on his shoulder, I try to compose the anxiety coursing through my body.

"He hates me, Dmitry." He slides his hand down my back ‘til it's resting just above my backside. My skin breaks out in goosebumps and lust replaces the nerves.

"He hates everyone, don't take it personally," he says, placing a light kiss on the top of my head. We manoeuvre around the dance floor easily, and I inhale his scent, relaxing me further. He stops moving, taking my chin and lifting ‘til my gaze reaches his. "I love you, my krasota ." His eyes burn with such intensity as he leans down and places a gentle kiss on my lips. The room fades away around us, and I feel a wave of calm wash over me. I catch his lower lip between my teeth and graze it. He smirks. "Not now, my lyubov ."

"I love you, Dmitry," I whisper.

I haven't left his side all evening, so while Dmitry is talking to some associates, I take the opportunity to visit the restroom. Giving his hand a squeeze, I reach up on my tiptoes and whisper in his ear, "I'll be right back. I just need to use the ladies' room." He gives a slight nod, continuing with his conversation.

I keep my eyes lowered as I make my way to the bathroom, hoping to avoid Dmitry's father, or worse, Vivian. But when I push the door open, I come face to face with Vivian. Her eyes are cold as they set upon me, and if looks could kill, I would already be six feet under. She doesn't move out my way, instead choosing to remain rooted to the spot with her judgy eyes running down my dress. I step around her and make my way to the mirror to freshen up my makeup, hoping she'll leave without a fuss.

"You'll never be good enough," she mutters, her voice laced with venom. I inwardly groan, realising I'm not able to avoid a confrontation. I continue to apply my lipstick and try to ignore her as she joins me at the mirrors, staring hard at my reflection. "You can never give him what he needs. You're just another conquest for him. He'll soon get bored of your cheap cunt."

Placing my lipstick back in my purse, I turn to her and force a smile. "What's wrong, Vivian, jealous?" I grab my bag and head for the exit, but she grabs my arm, stopping me. I stare at where her tight grasp pinches my skin. This bitch has some balls, I'll give her that. I raise my eyes to meet hers, waiting for her to spit her next vile barrage of bullshit.

"Just you fucking watch. When I call, he will come running because he's mine. You're just his little side slut."

She releases me and walks out without a backwards glance.

I growl in frustration. Fuck, I want to slam my fist into her smug face. Taking a deep breath, I compose myself, determined not to embarrass Dmitry in front of everyone, then I storm out, almost crashing straight into Dmitry. He steadies me with a look of concern on his face. "Everything okay?" he asks as he slips his arm around my waist, and we head back towards the main room.

"I just had a run-in with your dirty skank. She was putting me in my place," I mutter bitterly. His grip tightens around my waist, and I feel him stiffen. "Don't panic, Dmitry. I was on my best behaviour," I add sarcastically, and he raises a brow. "Honestly. Don't get me wrong, I wanted to poke my fingers in the bitch's eyes, but I'd ruin my dress." I smile at him, hoping to lighten the mood, and he laughs. I love it when he laughs, even if deep down her words have cut me.

We sit together at one of the large round tables, and a waitress hands me another glass of Champagne. I take it, scrunching my nose. Marshall laughs at me from the other side of the table, and I mouth, "Fuck off."

Dmitry places his hand on my knee, gliding it up my thigh and under the slit in my dress. I sigh with happiness, loving how his smallest touch ignites a fire in my core. I close my eyes and rest my head on his shoulder, trying to chase away the doubts Vivian planted.

"Dmitry, could I have a word please?" Vivian's shrill voice breaks through my blissful state, and my eyes shoot open to find her standing beside us. I grab hold of Dmitry's hand, and he squeezes it reassuringly.

"Can't it wait?" Her eyes fill with tears, and he sighs, releasing my hand and standing. "I'll be right back, my krasota ." He leans down, placing a kiss on my forehead, and I clench my jaw in annoyance. "Marshall, don't leave her alone," he orders, and just like that, he leaves the room with her. Her . The Wicked Witch of the West. And I realise she was right—she clicks her bony fingers and off he goes like a little bitch.

Marshall moves around the table to fill Dmitry's seat, and I scowl at him. "I don't need a fucking babysitter," I spit angrily, lifting my Champagne glass and draining the contents. I grimace at the taste, slamming the glass back onto the table. "I can't stand this shit," I say to no one in particular and get up from my seat. Marshall goes to follow me, but I stop him in his tracks. "I'm more than capable of going to the bar by myself and ordering a drink. I'm at a charity event, for fuck's sake. It's not as if someone's going to kidnap me, is it?" I mutter, "Not that he'd fucking notice anyway, now he's with that conniving bitch."

Marshall sits back in his seat and rolls his eyes. "Don't go anywhere other than the bar. I'll be watching from here. And come straight back," he orders. I smirk at his feeble attempt to boss me around.

I make my way over to the bar and order a shot of vodka, needing something stronger than Champagne. I knock it back, immediately asking for a refill, when Dmitry's father slides up beside me. He watches me curiously, his brows pinched together. I don't need a degree in body language to know this man clearly dislikes me.

"What can I do for you, Mr. Volkov?" He raises his eyebrows in amusement, I assume because a feeble woman like me dares speak to someone as powerful as him.

"He was happy with Vivian before you came along and wormed your way into his life," he murmurs, keeping his voice dangerously low. "You and that tight little cunt of yours are merely a distraction for now. He'll realise that eventually."

Wow, the audacity of this man. "Mr. Volkov," I fix him with my best assertive glare, "I appreciate your input on the matter, but your son's a big boy. I'm sure he can make his own decisions."

His eyes darken, and I imagine he's thinking up creative ways to kill me. "Oh, princess, you have no idea who you're playing with."

A shiver runs down my spine at his words, but I somehow keep my icy composure. I drain my glass, wanting to put as much distance between us as I can, and when I go to walk away, I see Marshall watching our interaction closely. He visibly relaxes as I start to make my way back over to him.

"He'll soon go back to Vivian when he realises you're just a cheap bitch interested in his money. In fact, she's probably working her magic right now, showing him what he's missing." I stop dead in my tracks and my blood runs cold. How dare this man insult me and imply that I'm only after Dmitry's money? If there's one thing I'm not, it's a gold digger.

Marshall must witness the change in my composure because he's glaring right at me, shaking his head in what I think is a warning. What is it with all these men telling me what I can and can't do?

I spin on my heel and smile coldly, looking Dmitry's father dead in the eye. "Who the fuck do you think you are?" I ask, my voice coming out louder than I expected. The people near us glance over curiously. I take a few paces towards him, so we're toe to toe. "How dare you imply I'm with him for his fucking money? I couldn't care less about his bank account, unlike that little cum slut he's got hanging out his arse." His eyes are furious, reminding me of Dmitry. His temple ticks, like he's gritting his teeth, and his eyes burn into me with contempt.

Marshall appears and grabs my wrist, trying to pull me away. "Tori, leave it."

I snatch my hand out of his grasp. "Fuck you too, Marshall."

I poke Dmitry's dad in his chest and hear an audible gasp from Marshall. The people around us have fallen silent, and I can only assume all eyes are on us. "You," I turn and do the same to Marshall, "and you can fuck right off. No one tells me what to do, and no one accuses me of being a fucking gold digger." I scream the last few words, feeling the rage inside me taking over.

Out the corner of my eye, I see Dmitry pushing his way through the crowd that has gathered, and I was right, they're all watching our encounter. I swallow the ball of fire burning my throat when Dmitry's furious glare lands on me. Straightening my shoulders, I push out my chest like I'm not terrified of the consequences of poking a mafia king.

"Get your fucking bitch under control," his father orders.

It only adds to my already boiling temper. I scoff, taking the glass from his hand and hurling it at the wall behind him.

He doesn't flinch. Cold bastard . "Dmitry, if you don't fucking remove her from my sight, I will . . . and it will be final," he barks. He leans closer, keeping his voice low. "You are very lucky there are witnesses."

Before I can bite back a response, daring him to do his worst, Dmitry grabs me around the waist, lifting my feet from the ground and carrying me from the room like a naughty child. "What the hell are you playing at, Victoria?" he whisper-hisses close to my ear. We get outside, and he dumps me on my feet but keeps me against him. He turns to Marshall. "Take her home."

I pull myself out of his grip. "Really, Dmitry? You're just gonna get your henchman to escort me home?" I laugh, but it's cold and empty, hiding my hurt. He hasn't even asked me what happened. "I can take myself home," I shout, and as I turn to leave, Vivian is in the doorway watching the entire thing with a smug grin on her stupid face.

"I told you," she mouths, and it ignites the fire again. I push past Dmitry and rush to her, slapping her hard across the face. Marshall grabs me, pulling me away and down the steps before I get a chance to go psycho on the bitch.

"Get the fuck off me, Marshall," I yell, trying to shrug him away. I glance back towards the door, noting both Dmitry and Vivian have gone back inside. My heart twists painfully.

"Tori, get in the car." Marshall shoves me towards the Range Rover, pulling the door open and waiting for me to get inside.

"No, I'm not going anywhere without Dmitry."

"Tori, I'm serious, get in the car," he spits angrily. "Your little display could get you killed." When I still don't move, he bangs his hand on the roof. "Get in the goddamn car," he shouts.

I've never seen Marshall angry, not like this and not aimed at me. I sigh, resigning myself to the fact that I have no choice in the matter.

I slide in, and Marshall slams the door, causing me to jump in fright. He makes his way to the driver's seat, getting in and making sure to lock the back doors.

I rest my head against the cold glass, realising that yet again, Dmitry's sent me away. He didn't leave with me—he chose to get rid of me and stay with her. Is this what it will always be like? Will he always choose them over me? I've never seen him so cold towards me. Sure, he gets annoyed, but it usually results in us spending a few hours in the dungeon correcting my behaviour. I smirk at the thought.

But him sending me home with Marshall like this is a clear message he's more than annoyed. I scowl because so am I . He shouldn't have left me in a roomful of sharks, especially when the main one wants me out of his son's life. The fact Dmitry didn't even bother to ask me about it, let alone defend me, pisses me off once again. I know exactly how to get his attention and a plan forms in my head.

"Marshall?"

"Yes, Tori?" His tone is bored as his eyes meet mine in the rearview mirror.

"You said before there were cameras in here, right?"

He frowns. "Of course. Dmitry has them everywhere."

I grin. "Good." Reaching down to gather the hem of my dress, I pull it up until it's around my waist. Marshall's frown deepens and his eyes flit from the road then back to me. I hook my fingers in my knickers and slide them down my legs, pulling them off completely and holding them up in the air for him and the cameras to see.

Marshall's eyes widen. "Tori, what the fuck are you doing?" he barks, and I detect a note of panic in his voice.

"Eyes on the road, Marshall," I say, my voice low and sultry. He groans, shaking his head at my latest antics.

I slowly run my hands up my thighs, gasping aloud when my fingers settle between my legs, stroking through my folds. I rest my head back against the cold leather and close my eyes. If Dmitry isn't going to help me out, I'll sort it my fucking self.

Rubbing my clit, I bring myself to the edge, letting out moans of pleasure as I climb higher. I drive my fingers into my pussy then bring them to my lips to taste myself.

I fix my eyes on Marshall's reflection. He looks panicked. "You're going to get me fucking killed, Victoria," he shouts, ruining the build-up to my climax.

"Are you hard, Marshall?" I ask, smirking as I lower my dress back into place. "Relax, it's just a bit of fun. You men need to lighten up once in a while."

I stare out the window, a smug smile on my face. That'll teach the bastard to send me home alone.

Dmitry

This fucking woman is going to be the death of me. Her irrational behaviour around my father and business associates is going to get her killed. I know she was pissed at me for sending her home, but the need to clean up her fuck-up again weighs heavily on my shoulders. Not only that, but her tantrums are starting to wear on my resolve. Even if the fire in her eyes is a complete turn-on, no one stands up to my father like that without facing the consequences.

Watching as the Range Rover drives off, I run my hands through my hair and make my way back into the venue. Vivian is still standing in the doorway, holding her cheek as a small tear slides down her face. I let out an exasperated breath, walking straight past her and back into the building. When did my life get so complicated? Running my empire is so much easier than dealing with women. Maybe my father was right to marry for convenience instead of love.

I make my way back over to the bar where my father remains. The atmosphere is cold as people eye us both, shifting uncomfortably, probably anticipating my next move. I flick my hand, summoning the barman's attention.

"Whiskey," I order without removing my eyes from my father.

"Get it off your chest, Dmitry. I've seen that look a thousand times, often staring back at me in the mirror," he muses. He's referring to my dark glare, the one I clearly inherited from him. My jaw clenches as I try to keep my anger in check. "Like father, like son," he mutters.

The barman hands me the whiskey, and I swirl the ice around the glass, trying to gather my next words. "Victoria and I are happening, and you will never threaten her life again." I take a sip of my drink, allowing the burn to relax me. "She's mine, and I don't care if you're my fucking father . . . I will end you." I say the words clearly and calmly, but inside, I'm raging. Nothing would thrill me more than finishing this prick. There's never been any love lost between us, and our relationship has always been more like a business transaction.

He scoffs at my threat, patting me on the back more forcefully than required. "A brief period in London and you think you're running the fucking mafia." He glares at me, but he doesn't intimidate me as I hold his steely stare. "She isn't for this world, and her complete disregard for the way things work, along with her temper, will get her killed. If it's not me, someone else will take her out. She doesn't know her place." He takes a sip of his own drink before adding, "Now, Vivian, she knows her place, understands this life, and would not embarrass us like that."

I drain my glass, slamming it on the bar. "Well, be warned, you touch a single hair on her head, and I will take you out." I grin, showing no weakness as I arch my brow. "And I'll enjoy every fucking minute of it. As for Vivian, she was a means to an end which I've now taken care of. Her presence is no longer required, neither in my business nor in my bed, so fucking drop it." I march off with fury running through every fibre of my body, and the only way to squash this inner rage would be to spill blood, but I can't even do that.

I see Vivian eyeing me from the corner of the room. Maybe twisting the proverbial knife will have to suffice. She glances up through her long lashes as I approach, and her eyes are full of unshed tears. "Let's go," I indicate to her as I leave the room. She follows behind me like I've trained her to do, but it doesn't satisfy me as much as it once did. A woman who complies. I sigh heavily, knowing it'll never be enough after having Victoria challenge me at every turn.

"Dmitry," she whispers as she falls in step beside me.

"I don't want to hear it, Vivian," I spit angrily, the torment on her face just fuelling the fire.

Nik is waiting by the Audi, ready to take us home. He nods in greeting as he opens the back door for Vivian to get in. I climb in the front passenger seat, not wanting to be too close to her and give her the wrong idea. Nik climbs in beside me and side-eyes me. "Where to, Boss?" he questions.

"We need to drop Vivian back at the Hilton then take me back to the manor." My response is stoic as I ball my fists, and once again, my mind goes back to her. How could Victoria behave like this? Maybe my father is right. Maybe she isn't cut out for this world, but there is no way I can let her go now. But her irrational behaviour has to stop before she puts a clear target on her back and maybe even mine.

I run my hands over my tired face, the pressure of dealing with this constant chaos finally catching up with me. One thing that is clear right now is that I need to change tactics with Victoria.

I'm so lost in my thoughts, I don't realise Nik has pulled up outside the hotel and is exiting the car and opening the door for Vivian to slide out. I get out and round the car. She places her manicured hands on my chest and leans up to kiss me on the cheek. I still, my jaw twitching. I know exactly what she's doing, but her world is about to come crashing right down.

"Don't," I growl in warning, and she lowers her head, walking away from me.

I take a couple strides to catch up with her, and she glances at me with surprise on her face. I follow her up to her hotel room, not missing the look of jubilation on her face as we step inside the room. She believes I'm here for a rendezvous.

I smile at her menacingly, and her look falters. "Your father," I pause for effect as her brows pinch together and a puzzled expression replaces the jubilation, "is dead." I say the words bluntly because how else do I tell her? And now it's done, I can breathe a sigh of relief.

The colour drains from her face as she processes my words. And then she takes me by surprise and releases a blood curdling scream that echoes around the room.

She takes a step forward, narrowing her eyes in suspicion. "You did it, didn't you?" Tears stream down her face as she punches her fists into my chest. "I know you did it," she cries.

Grabbing her wrists to stop her onslaught, I growl with frustration. "I did, and I would do it again given the opportunity. Maybe I should have done it sooner."

She falls to her knees, covering her face with her hands and sobbing heavily, occasionally gasping for breath as sobs shake her body.

I thought I would gain some satisfaction from breaking her, but right now, I don't feel at all satisfied. And all I can think about is returning home to Victoria.

Kneeling to Vivian's level, I lift her chin so she's looking at me. "This is for the best, Vivian. You can be free of him and take control of some of his businesses."

She sniffles and swipes at her tear-stained face. I take her hand and rise to my feet, pulling her with me. The pain is still clearly evident on her face. "I'll support you with the businesses, Vivian, but right now, I need to go and deal with Victoria. We'll talk some more, I promise."

The drive to the manor is silent. Nik eyes me curiously the entire journey. We pull up at the gates, and he turns the engine off and twists to look at me.

"What are you going to do, Boss?" he asks, and I frown at his intrusive question. He suddenly looks unsure. "No offence meant, sir, but I don't think Victoria is cut out for this life. Her behaviour this evening proves it. She's not only going to be the death of herself, but she's going to bring us all down with her."

I know deep down he's right, but I can't have him questioning my authority. It makes me look weak, like I don't have my shit together. "Have I ever given you any reason to question me, Nikolai?" I snap, and he visibly swallows, choosing his next words wisely.

"No, Boss, but I also don't want to see your downfall."

"What I choose to do next is exactly that, my choice. I would hate for your questioning of my authority to end badly for you, Nikolai."

He nods a silent acknowledgement of the threat I'm making, then he starts the engine and drives up to the house. I get out and rush up the steps, stopping at the door. I'm unsure of what version of Victoria will be awaiting my arrival, so I take a steady breath.

I open the door, loosening my tie, and as soon as I enter, I see Victoria standing in the entrance hall. Her expression is still one filled with rage. There goes any hope I had that she'd calmed down .

Nik approaches me from behind, and her eyes flick there, almost relieved when she sees him and not Vivian. Or maybe it was my father she was expecting.

"Don't you have anything to say to me?" she asks through gritted teeth, her tone laced with enough venom to kill a grown man on the spot.

I throw my keys on the side and sigh, suddenly very aware of how exhausted I am. "I'm not doing this now, Victoria." I run my hands through my dishevelled hair. "You were the lunatic who made a scene in front of some of the most dangerous men in all of London and Russia. Now, go and fucking calm down, and maybe we can talk about this like two sensible adults." I'm drained, and right now, I can't tolerate any more crazy.

She eyes the replacement vase on the side and looks at me with her eyes full of fire. I arch my brow. "I would consider your options very carefully, Victoria. Remember the last time you broke things." I move towards her, noting how her breathing hitches and her eyes fill with lust. She glances side to side, like she's a caged animal planning her escape, but I'll be damned if I reward her behaviour tonight, and I'm certainly not going to chase her down.

Stuffing my hands in my pockets, I lean into her ear before whispering, "Goodnight, Victoria." I move around her and make my way into my office, slamming the door.