Free Russian Mafia Boss's Heir by Bella Rose Page B

bitterly.
    “If you can assume that they would tell the truth,” Dimitri pointed out.
    “Exactly.”
    “So how about we go break up the party and send everyone home?” Dimitri suggested.
    Mikhail began walking. He was glad his friend was right behind him. “I was just going to suggest that.”
    ***
     
    TORI KNEW SHE was in trouble when she spotted Mikhail moving toward the roulette table. What was he doing here anyway? The one day he wasn’t at work and he had to come here? Or maybe the casino was work. That was certainly a possibility.
    “Hello, Antonin.” Mikhail’s voice was pleasant, but it sounded a bit forced.
    Tori put her hands on her hips. “What are you doing here?”
    “This casino is a Vasiliev enterprise.” Mikhail raised his eyebrows. “I should ask what you are doing here. This is no place for a lady.”
    Antonin snorted. “You cannot keep your woman locked up in the kitchen barefoot and pregnant, Mikhail.” Antonin switched to Russian. “This is not the old country.”
    “I’ll be home when I’m ready,” Tori told Mikhail. “I’m not done speaking with my cousin.”
    She could see Mikhail grinding his teeth. No doubt he didn’t appreciate the reminder that she was related to the Orlovs. Well, he could go to hell for all she cared. It wasn’t as if her husband wanted to talk to her, or spend time with her. There was no reason why she couldn’t enjoy the company of someone who did.
    “Mara,” Dimitri said quietly. “Please take Jamie and go home.”
    Jamie might have protested, but Mara grabbed her arm and dragged her off anyway.
    The imperious command made Tori so angry she could hardly contain herself.
    She put her hands on her hips and stomped her foot so hard she nearly snapped off the heel of her shoe. “That was bullshit! Do you hear me, Dimitri? Bullshit!” She pointed right at him and poked the middle of his chest. “It’s not fair for you to pull that on my friend. She’s not even your real girlfriend because you don’t have the balls to tell my stepfather you’re dating her! How rude is that, I ask you?”
    “Tori, please,” Mikhail said in a low, urgent voice. “Don’t cause a scene. You’re not helping matters by being difficult.”
    “I’m being difficult?” She gave a bitter laugh. “You’re just like Stanislas. You know that? You should make the perfect successor because you have no mind of your own.”
    A deadly sort of expression crossed Mikhail’s features.
    Tori froze, realizing that she might have gotten a little carried away. She was essentially challenging her husband in public. She was pushing him into a corner where he had no choice but to save face.
    His hand shot out, grabbing her by the throat. He didn’t choke her, but he scared the hell out of her. Tori clawed at his arm. She wanted him to let go, but he didn’t.
    “Don’t. Move.” He was snarling his words between clenched teeth. “Dimitri is going to take you home. You will wait there for me to decide your punishment. Do you understand?”
    She could feel every single pair of eyes within the casino staring at her.
    Embarrassment and humiliation made her cheeks burn as Tori barely managed a nod. She couldn’t meet his eyes or anyone else’s. Nor did she want to. At this point, all she wanted was to go home.
    ***
     
    MIKHAIL WATCHED TORI stumble toward the exit with Dimitri close behind her. Dimitri would make certain she made it safely home with no further incident.
    Once they were out of sight, Mikhail turned back to Antonin Orlov.
    “What did you want with my wife?” Mikhail demanded. “And don’t give me some bullshit story about renewing family ties. You and your men have been frequenting this place for the last two weeks. Why? Have you been hoping to run into Tori? Is that your game?”
    Antonin gave Mikhail an insolent once over, his gaze raking Mikhail from top to bottom before he bothered to answer. “That is a lot of questions you have.”
    “I want answers.”