Slavik entered and paused. “I’m not married to you, Fredo. Get out of her seat,” he said.

I’d never heard anyone speak to my father like that. I looked at my husband, whose gaze was on my father.

“Pardon me?”

“Are you going deaf as well as being stupid? Get the fuck out of my wife’s seat now.”

“This sign of disrespect—”

I cried out as Slavik grabbed my father, dragging him out of his seat and placing him firmly in his own. “My house! My fucking rules. Live by them, or I will cut your throat, treaty or not.”

Silence rang out and was only interrupted by the chef bringing out the first course. The scent of fish was too much for me, and with a hand on my stomach, I threw up all over Isabella’s designer dress.

****

Slavik

“It was a family dinner,” I said, not the first time either, and Ivan was still laughing. It would seem my father-in-law didn’t take kindly to my threats. “Have you had a chance to look at what I’ve sent you?” I wanted to get back on track, not discussing the poorly organized dinner.

Aurora had looked tense the entire time. I noticed the way her family treated her with indifference. They didn’t care about her. I saw it more clearly now than ever before. They’d given me and the Bratva a daughter they held no regard for.

After my wife threw up on her sister’s dress, Isabella had changed into some clothes of Aurora’s, which had started a whole conversation about the size difference between the two women. I’d immediately brought a stop to it.

Her sister Isabella had talked the whole time, and while she did, the sound of her voice grated on my nerves. Her family doted on her, though. It was like she’d hosted our party last night, not Aurora. As for the chef, well, he’d gotten what was coming to him. Telling my wife what he’d serve and not listening to her. He’d come from one of our restaurants, and clearly, he hadn’t been given the update on who was in charge. I’d enjoyed every single moment of reminding him.

“Yes, I’m looking at it, and it seems to occur during two specific times where the rate of men versus income differs.”

I listened as Ivan gave me the few remaining details of the puzzle. All I had to do now was go back to Cara with them and we could run down a list of employees who would have full access to the office, along with the ability to take money. It wouldn’t be a hard deal to handle.

“How is the lovely Cara these days?” Ivan asked.

With Ivan being in the tower of power, it was rare for him to see Cara. She was considered under my jurisdiction. Of course, if he actually wanted to see her, all he’d need to do was make a phone call.

“Well, from what I saw.” I’d never been one to make small talk.