“That’s not remotely the same thing. I was trying to protect him.”

“Maybe he was trying to do the same for you.”

“He’s never done anything for me in his entire miserable life.”

She grimaces and gets to her feet. “You know what? Suddenly, I’m not so hungry anymore. Can you ask Knox to be ready in an hour? I’m meeting Geneva at one. I’ll see you both later.”

She turns on her heels and storms out, leaving me seething in my seat.

Milana is wearing an expression that’s a cross between amusement and worry. “Well, that kind of blew up in your face, huh?” she says. “I knew it wasn’t a good idea to give you a report in front of her.”

“I’m not in the mood for an ‘I told you so,’ Milana.”

She holds her hands up in surrender. “Fine then. Maybe instead, we can discuss business.”

“What business?”

“Establishing another trade partner,” she finishes. “I had to look through a pretty extensive list of suppliers, but I’ve narrowed it down to three options. All of whom are aware of the situation we’re in right now, and who’re willing to sign a contract with us anyway.”

I frown. “What’s the catch?”

“Twenty-five percent surcharge.”

“Jesus,” I say, rolling my eyes and writing off the options in my head already.

“I negotiated them down from thirty-five percent, Kolya,” Milana presses. “It’s a good deal, especially considering the uncertainty of the situation we’re in right now.”

“Then allow me to step in and complete negotiations, because I’m not signing any contract with that kind of highway robbery baked in.”

Milana sighs. “Fine. I’ll arrange meetings for this evening.”

“No.”

She looks at me with a startled expression. “No?”

“I’m busy this evening. I have to pay a visit to June’s father.”

She does a double-take. “Wait, I can’t—You’re not—Are you being serious?”

“Which part sounded like a joke?”

“You’re blowing off important business meetings to go see your father-in-law?” she says in amazement. “The Bratva needs you, Kolya. You’re letting your personal life take precedence over work.”

“I’m not in the habit of tolerating lectures, Milana. Especially not from my subordinates.”

Her shoulders tighten. “Must you do this today?”

“Sure as fuck looks like it, doesn’t it?” I snarl.

She purses her lips together, as though she has to physically stop herself from saying what’s on her mind. I get to my feet, effectively ending the conversation, but she lets loose before I can leave.

“Do you think June may be right?” she asks, as if she can’t help herself.

I stiffen. “Right about what?”

“Adrian’s reasons for being in the ring. What if he knew about your mother all along and he was just trying to track her down?”

“Without my help? Bullshit.”

“Maybe he was trying to do this on his own,” she suggests. “Maybe he was trying to get out from underneath your shadow.”

“Fair enough. Let’s pretend he was a fucking saint, and those were his reasons,” I say harshly. “That doesn’t explain why he wouldn’t tell me he found her after the fact.”