Throne of Power (Throne Duet #1) by Rina Kent

At the end of the day, this celebration is null and void. In a week or so, I’ll pretend I lost the child or that Kyle spoke too soon before we could make sure. Sergei will be sad, but he’ll understand the loss.

Because there’s no way in hell I’d let Kyle put a baby inside me.

There’s an easy conversation at the table about mundane things. Since the wives are also here, there’ll be no business talk until after dinner. A meeting that I’m invited to, per Sergei’s orders. It has to do with how I’ve been financing the brigades over the last couple of weeks. I might not be invited to outside meetings with other organized crime leaders, but I can finally have a permanent place in the brotherhood.

Igor and Mikhail are exchanging pleasantries with Sergei. I exchange a look with Ruslan who’s standing behind me. He pretends to excuse himself, and on his way, he trips and hits Igor’s chair. He quickly apologizes as the older man spills droplets of his wine on the tablecloth. Igor’s senior guard grabs Ruslan by the collar, but his boss discreetly motions at him to let my guard go—probably not to cause a ruckus.

One of the kitchen staff hurries to exchange Igor’s glass of wine and bows in her retreat. Ruslan returns to stand behind me as the small incident is drowned out by general chatter. A few minutes later, I make eye contact with Katia who’s standing across from me, near the exit, and she subtly follows the kitchen staff. We came up with this plan to have that DNA test done. I barely get direct contact with Igor or Stella, so this is one of the few chances we have. I already gave Katia Kyle’s toothbrush, so she should be able to get the DNA results soon.

Now that the plan is in motion, my concentration goes back to the event.

Damien is focused on his meal, cutting through the meat with unabashed savageness. His manners are generally so bad that both Dedushka and Sergei gave up on schooling him years ago. He’s basically the black bull of the brotherhood who’s ready to murder anyone in his path.

But he’s not the one who catches my attention among everyone present. It’s Kirill and Adrian who keep talking to each other in hushed tones. I don’t like it.

Kirill is a cunning fox behind gentlemanly behavior. While Mikhail can be considered my most vocal enemy, Kirill is the one who’s able to inflict the worst damage. He doesn’t stop. Ever. I have no doubt he’s digging into me, trying to find a way to push me completely out so he can sink his foxlike claws into Sergei and V Corp.

The reason I’m threatening him with the secret he’s keeping under lock and key is because it’s the only card I have against him.

“You seeing what I’m seeing?” Vlad whispers from beside me, his gaze drifting to Adrian and Kirill, then back to me.

“When did those two become so cozy?” I ask.

“I told you not to trust Adrian.”

“I don’t.” But I at least thought he was in the middle. If he chooses the other side, I’ll have no choice but to attack, and it won’t be pretty.

Lia isn’t here, so I can’t try to dig deeper into her. Judging from Adrian’s reaction a few days ago, she’s either his weakness or she holds something over him. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have acted out of character when she was threatened. It’s no surprise he purposefully keeps her out of similar occasions, but I will find a way to drag her in if I have to.

A hand wraps around my nape from behind, and shivers instantly break out on my skin before a sinister voice murmurs near my ear, “What are you two whispering about? Let me in.”

“It’s none of your concern.” I take a sip of my soup, trying to ignore how Kyle’s mere touch has awakened my whole body.

“I’m your husband and baby daddy, Princess. Everything about you is my concern.”

I throw him a sidelong glare, which he merely answers with that infuriating smirk of his. I attempt to talk to Vlad so I can ignore Kyle all night, but his hand on my thigh keeps me prisoner.

His smile is still in place, but the humor behind it is gone, currently replaced by a threatening gloom. “Don’t fucking ignore me for other men.”

“Let me go,” I hiss.

“Are you going to do as you’re told?”

“You can’t get in between me and my plans, Kyle.”

“What plans do you have with Vladimir?” I don’t miss the way he says Vlad’s name with pure condescension.

“Plans that don’t include pushing Igor for the leading position.”

He pauses.

“What?” It’s my turn to stare down at him. “You thought I didn’t know? Your intentions are as clear as the sun.”

“You’re adorable to think that way.”

“What is that supposed to mean?”

“Stop talking to other men in my presence—or the lack of it.”

I huff and turn back to ask Vlad about the security measures. I already got my report from Ruslan and Katia, so I don’t technically need to talk to Vlad about it. However, if it will piss Kyle off, I’m game.

I open my mouth, and it remains that way when humming starts between my legs.

Shit.

He set the toy at one of the highest levels from the get-go. The chatter, faces, and words start to fade into the background as the insides of my walls sparkle at once.

Due to Kyle’s thorough fucking, I’ve become sensitive as hell, and mere friction is enough to shatter me to pieces.