“Flirting occasionally .... well I guess it’s flirting.” She rolls her eyes. “You know you don’t have to worry about him.”
“Actually,” I turn her head so she sees him. “We all have to worry about him.”
“What the fuck.”
“Apparently he’s the heir to a large business.” I rub down her back. “I’m giving you a chance to leave rather than become school gossip. But if you stay, you’re not dancing with him. Period.”
“I’d rather dance with your father.”
“Would you?” Dad himself appears. “And here I thought you didn’t like me.”
VALERIE
Istare at Mr. Volkov. He offers me his hand, but that vicious look in his eyes makes it seem like a mistake to actually follow through.
“May I, Chase. I should ask you before invitingyourgirlfriend to dance.”
“You only need to ask her. She can speak for herself,” Chase says, his eyes flicking to Andre.
Mr. Volkov continues watching me. I finally give him my hand. Mr. Volkov drags us out to the dance floor and twirls me under his arm before pulling me against him. “A good chance for us to talk, Valerie.”
“I think that dancing is a good chance to dance rather than talk.”
He twirls me again and then his hold on my wrist tightens painfully. “We are going to talk, Valerie.”
“Just until the end of this song. Then I have to return to my boyfriend.”
“Which one?”
“Whichever one I want.” I narrow my eyes. “Whichever one wants me at any given time.”
“I made it clear to Chase, or I thought I did. You are a liability. Drawing attention to Chase by being in a relationship that’s tabloid-worthy is only going to pull more attention to my sons and any attention on them is just going to put them in danger.”
“It won’t.”
“Oh, it definitely will. I know you don’t want that, which is why I’m being so clear with you.”
“I’mnota liability. And the men are more than capable of protecting themselves and each other. Even when you don’t lift a finger, which you’re so good at doing.”
“Valerie.” Mr. Volkov sighs and dips me before pulling me back up. “You are too eager to speak your mind. Silence and knowing where you belong is important.”
“And I’ve managed it for weeks. What can I say, you bring out the hostility.”
“I understand that you believe that and that’s your right, I suppose, but you must understand my position. I want to keep my sons safe. I will do it at any cost. Any.”
“And if you think that I wouldn’t give my life to protect them, you haven’t been paying attention,” I insist.
“I will tell you, if you were to be lost or killed, it would start a war. So tell me what the option is when my sons are so wrapped around you that they can’t think for themselves.”
I hold his hand as he spins me out, then brings me back to his chest.
“The option isn’t for you to decide. I know you’re used to control and you want the best for your sons. I can’t fault you for that and I’d be stupid to try, but you have to understand that our relationship doesn’t involve you.”
“Valerie-”
“You’re no longer mafia boss, and even if you were, you don’t get to decide who Hunter or Chase date. You definitely don’t have any say over Lief. They’re adults, accomplished, smart, adult men.”
Mr. Volkov glances over at Chase as he shakes hands with people and makes them smile. I nod. “You see how well you’ve raised them, but they’re both more than old enough to have their own lives and make their own choices and mistakes. If I’m a mistake, it’s a mistake they’re allowed to make.”