Too expensive was probably more like it, but I didn’t point that out. We had other business. “I’m sure you haven’t forgotten our previous conversation, but just to remind you, if you do anything, anything, to make Kayla uncomfortable ever again, I’m going to rip you apart limb by limb,” I said.

He huffed, then flushed red, probably out a mix of fear and anger. “You know I didn’t mean to cause any offense,” Vahe said.

“Of course not,” I responded, my voice full of false understanding. “And that’s why I’m giving you an opportunity to correct that misunderstanding. And I know it won’t happen again,” I said. “Will it?”

“No,” he said.

“I knew you’d get it,” I responded.

I gave him a smack on his face and then walked away.

“What was that all about?”  Kayla asked, her eyes darkening.

I didn’t bother to look back at Vahe. “Nothing.”

“If you say so,” she said, looking like she didn’t believe me.

I stared at her.

“What are you staring at?”

“You look really nice,” I said.

“Thanks, I guess,” she said, laughing as she touched her neck.

She looked more than nice, but I didn’t trust myself to say that in a way that wouldn’t be too revealing.

Still, the adorable little smile on her face was worth it.

“You know, to the untrained eye this could look like a regular gathering of rich assholes,” she said.

“As opposed to rich, criminal assholes,” I said.

“Exactly,” she responded.

I smiled.

“Elias, you didn’t tell me you’re off the market,” Anush Yesayan, the matriarch of one of the oldest Armenian families said.

I knew my father was responsible for getting that news out there, but I didn’t mind.

“I am, and this is my fiancée,” I said.

I put my arm around Kayla’s shoulders and pulled her close, pretending that I didn’t notice the way she stiffened.

But to my surprise and relief she smiled sweetly and said all the right things. And then did the same thing over and over again as basically everyone in the room came to pay tribute.

It was interesting, not exactly fun, because there was always an undercurrent, the threat of violence to come at any given moment. But being with Kayla felt good.

Or at least it did until Todd walked in.

I was objective enough to acknowledge that he looked impressive in his suit, if not out of place.

But if he felt in any way out of place, he didn’t show it.

Instead, he walked like he was supposed to be here and headed straight for Kayla.

“Todd? What are you doing here?” she said, her eyes wide with surprise.

“Kayla, it’s good to see you. I’m starting to think you are avoiding me,” he said.

“Of course not,” she said, much, much too quickly to be convincing.