Page 53 of Savage Boss
Clara meets her gaze evenly, refusing to be dismissed. “On the contrary, Vera. I find that high-stakes litigation offers the most fascinating glimpse into human nature. After all, the only real difference between a courtroom, a boardroom, and this room is the attire.”
Vera’s smile tightens, but I also glimpse a flicker of genuine respect in her eyes. I imagine she expected some young airhead who was simply here to look good on my arm. But my Clara is so much more. My grip on Clara's waist tightens, pride wellinginme along with warmth and appreciation for this unexpected blessingin my life.
We spend the next half hour navigating a sea of old and new power in the city—even some old-money families who circulate within our circles—as well as a few developers who were fortunate enough to gain entry and invitation into these hallowed halls.
As the evening wears on and the jazz softens to welcome slow dancing couples, Clara and I find a quiet corner near the tall, arched windows overlooking the city.
“You’ve handled yourself well,” I say, my voice low as I nuzzle her hair, taking in her scent. “You didn't flinch, not even when that brute Leonid Vasiliev showed his teeth.”
Clara leans her head against my shoulder, letting the tension bleed out of her neck. “I wasn't flinching for anyone,” she confesses quietly. “But I was calculating how many years in a federal penitentiary I’d face if I accidentally pushed that Playboy Bunny of his into the chocolate fountain.”
I laugh, a genuine, rare, deep chuckle that turns the heads of couples nearby. “Ignore them,” I say, squeezing Clara close, drawing her in with the protective curve of my body.
“See? You fit perfectly,” I murmur, my breath warm against her hair.
Clara doesn’t say anything. She just nestles closer to me before I lead her out of our temporary haven and back to the floor. We make a few more rounds of the room before Clara asks, “Can we find a place to sit down? I’m feeling a little tired.”
Concern jumps as I glance down and see that she is pale. “Of course.”
I hurry Clara over to the bar and sit her down in one of thevelvetcouches that have been so carefully maintained for over a century now. “I’ll get you something to drink.”
“Water, please,” she says quickly, my concern spiking at how pale she is and how weak her voice sounds.
“I’ll be right back,” I tell her, keeping her in my sight the entire time as I step up to the bar and order. I’m waiting for the water when someone catches my attention as they settle beside me.
“Dmitri.”
Natasha looks striking tonight. Her gown, fitted to hug her curves and showcase her assets, reflects the chandelier's light.
“Natasha.Dobryy vecher,” I greet her.
She doesn’t look at me but sweeps the area near the bar until her gaze falls on Clara. “I see you brought your new legal star.” Her voice is smooth and nonchalant. “Very professional of you,Dimochka.”
“You look well, Tasha.” I ignore the comment about Clara’s status, disguising it beneath a subtle dig.
Her dark eyesflickto me, taking in my presence with alookthat is almost hungry. “I dressed with you in mind tonight,” she says breezily, as though I can’t see the lust creeping into her eyes. “I know exactly what you like.”
She holds my gaze, waiting for me to acknowledge the suggestion in her crafted words.
“You’ll have to find someone else whoappreciatesyou tonight.” The bartender hands me the glass of water and a damp bar towel, which I take with a nod of thanks and turn away. “Enjoy your evening, Tasha.”
Her hand snaps out and grasps my wrist, her sharp nails digging into my skin. “Why her?” she hisses, too low for anyone else to hear. “Why her, Dmitri? What does she have that I don’t? She doesn’t belong in our world. She knows nothing about our world.”
“Take your hand off me,” I warn quietly.
“I can give you everything you’ve ever wanted, Dmitri. We can combine our empires and rule not just the city, but the whole Eastern Seaboard. We belong together, you and I. Why can’t you see that?”
“Control yourself,” I snap in a frigid whisper, breaking her hold on me with a single jerk of my wrist. But I’ve only managed a single step when she grabs me again.
“You came to me after Lauren’s death. Surely, I mean something to you beyond?—”
“That was a mistake.” My words are clipped with ice and steel, and Natasha flinches. “It was a brief, desperate entanglement when I was drowning and seeking any kind of sensation, not salvation. You’ve never understood that. You’ve always confused convenience and pleasure with actual feelings.”
A hand slips into the crook of my elbow, and I almost turn and snarl until I realize it’s Clara’s. My body and my heart are learning the sense of her.
She stands beside me, still pale but with her head held high, even as Natasha's gaze sweeps over her with practiced malice.
“Surprised to see you here,” she sneers. “Are you still going over case briefs with your boss? You know, in this world, we often find that the most brilliant minds come at the expense of certain attributes men find attractive.” She smiles, a perfect, predatory curve of her lips. “You work so hard, I hope you manage to find time for a pastry once in a while. You look as though you might blow away.”
