“You know I can’t make any promises about that.”
I kiss the top of her head as the song ends and walk her over to Hunter and Chase. They look from me to Valerie. “Everything okay?”
“It is now.” Valerie grins at all three of us. “It would be better if we could leave, but I don’t think that’s an option.”
“Not quite yet.” Chase sighs. “But soon, baby doll.”
Chase’s face changes, just enough to show he means business. He adjusts his cufflinks and Valerie sucks in a breath as her eyes dilate. I rub her back. “Easy, pet.”
“So sexy,” Valerie murmurs anyway.
Chase chuckles and kisses her softly. “Soon, baby doll. Hunter, you keep Valerie away from Andre. Lief, make sure everything else is clear, including with my father. I have some more hands to shake, then the announcement.”
“Hunter, do you want to go drink?” Valerie asks, taking his hand.
“God, dorogaya. I love you more every moment.”
She purrs to him in Russian. “You set my heart on fire.”
He groans and nearly picks her up. They head to the bar and Chase sighs. “I guess that’s one way. Also, keep eyes on Andre. I don’t trust him.”
“Valerie wouldn’t have gotten my attention if it wasn’t something serious,” I agree. “we need to make sure he’s not just a whore-monger.”
“Good word.”
We part ways and I instruct a few of the guys to do sweeps. One checks on Mr. Volkov and Vanya and gets waved away. I keep my eyes on Andre. He glares at Hunter and Valerie. Especially since Hunter is obviously flirting and Valerie is being her normal sassy self, making him earn every touch and bat of her eyelashes.
Andre glances to Chase as well, then nearly catches me watching him. I nod to Chase when his father stands up.
Mr. Volkov takes his place on the stage. “Since I was a young boy in Russia, I watched my father’s dreams grow. They brought us to this country and I watched him build up this business from something easy to ignore to an empire. I took over, excited to build my own legacy.”
“When I had sons of my own,” Mr. Volkov continues, “well, I knew they’d be capable of amazing things. Which is why I’m happy to introduce everyone to my successor: my son, Chase.”
Chase walks up and nods. He shakes his father’s hand. “I look forward to making some changes but continuing the legacy set forth by my grandfather. Helping people, doing what’s best for the community, and continuing to grow the partnerships my father has established.”
That’s the end of the speech Chase gives. When I look over to check on Andre, I see him focused entirely on Valerie. Hunter’s obviously sweet talking her since he’s kissing her knuckles.
A low whisper in her ear and Valerie goes red and rubs over Hunter’s chest. Andre breaks the glass in his hand. I walk over and clean it up. Hunter jerks her close and kisses up her neck and to her ear.
“Do you require first aid?” I ask Andre.
“You’re one to ask. How dare you offer me anything when you’re screwing the boss’s girlfriend. You’re a backstabber.”
A few people look over. Chase’s attention is grabbed and he walks over. “Is there a problem?”
“Are you aware that thisservantis fucking your girlfriend?”
There are a few gasps and I see Mr. Volkov move from the corner of my eyes. My earpiece buzzes with the promise of press coming. Of course, they’d be eager to get a new story. But I focus on Chase, waiting to follow his lead.
Chase motions and Hunter brings Valerie over. He looks at her severely. “Are you fucking Lief, baby doll?”
Valerie gives a drunken smile. “Whenever he lets me, baby boy.”
She licks her bottom lip and I make myself focus on the conversation in front of us. “Good.”
Andre grips his fists together. “What?”
“I wasn’t planning on making this announcement tonight, but since we’re ushering in a new era, I’d like to start it as honestly and transparently as possible.”