“I’m not following.”
At least, Nyx’s confusion revealed she knew nothing of her family’s history if what Ivanov was implying was true.
“In a family where daughters and sisters are rare, fathers and brothers will go to extraordinary lengths to protect them. Especially when it comes to tying that daughter to a family with a reputation for their cruelty and love of the bottom line.”
Ivanov’s words transported me back in time to one of the many lectures Pappous gave me about how he’d failed somewhere along the line and raised weak Drakos men who knew nothing about ruling in the way of the family predecessors and how he’d make sure he’d correct his mistake with me.
“Are you saying everything I’ve believed since I was born is a lie?”
“That is for you to decide. Though I don’t suggest you ask your family, or you may have to divulge who shared the information, and that could lead to other questions. Wouldn’t you agree?”
She sighed and then nodded as if accepting the truth of Ivanov’s words.
“Does this mean that, since my great-aunt was also your aunt, in some very Greek way, we are family?”
“In a very Russian way, you are family. And I watch out for my own.” His tone brooked no argument, going from lighthearted to commanding and fatherly.
“Is that why you wanted Simon to hear this entire conversation? You’re watching out for me? Making sure I don’t get into too much trouble?”
I wanted to laugh at her sheer ballsiness. The woman pulled no punches.
Ivanov’s face softened, and a slight smile touched his lips. “Since you keep so much from your brothers and father, I feel it’s my duty to make sure those around you know that you have connections in high places.”
“Spasiba.”Nyx leaned up, kissing Ivanov’s cheek. “You don’t need to worry about me. I’m going to be okay.”
“For your sake, I hope you are right.” Ivanov shot a warning glance in my direction. “I sure hope you are right.”
Around three thirtyin the morning, all of the players, including Akari, were long gone from the penthouse. A cleaning crew like none I’d ever seen before worked to make the five-thousand-square-foot suite look as it had prior to the night’s event. They moved as if in a well-choreographed dance around each other, knowing every one of Nyx’s expectations and requirements. They also dressed in the clothing of other hotel guests and not in that of a housekeeping team.
Nyx stood across the room from me, engrossed in a conversation with her security lead and banker. Just a few moments earlier, they’d exited the primary bedroom after finalizing the accounting of the evening’s take.
Something I had no doubt lay around a quarter of the total value of the trust she’d inherit at the conclusion of our engagement.
No wonder she’d offered it to me. She had no use for any of it if tonight was any indicator of the type of profit she netted each time she held a Silent Night event.
Which had me wondering how much my fiancée was actually worth. And why the hell was she digging in the dirt all day and working a regular job when she could spend her days relaxing and enjoying her life?
The woman confused the hell out of me.
As if sensing my thoughts, her gaze lifted to mine for a brief second before she returned her attention to the group in front of her. A slight tinge of heat colored her cheeks, telling me she felt the time ticking away until we were alone and we conducted our private discussion.
No matter how much she may want to deny it, we were going to happen whether I’d found out her secret or not. This attraction was too visceral.
Eventually, we would have found ourselves in a situation where we’d end up fucking each other raw.
Though, knowing what I did about her, I’d have to take it slower, seduce her into it. Make it so she compared any man she took to bed in the future to me.
However, at the moment, the idea of her being in anyone else’s bed made me want to punch something.
Deciding I’d spent enough time waiting, I stood and moved in Nyx’s direction.
Her onyx eyes locked with mine, a mix of wariness, and if I wasn’t mistaken, curiosity. The people around her moved away to finish up whatever they were doing.
“How long until our private game?” I asked as I approached.
She licked her lips, her breath growing unsteady. “I wasn’t sure if you were serious.”
“I’m always serious about poker. I rarely lose.”