I couldn’t bring her into those meetings. Outsiders came under special and important circumstances, and only very rarely. Winter showing up last time was unusual, and likely wouldn’t repeat ever again.
“I can’t bring you to my meetings with the other Oligarchs, but I can bring you into my meetings with the Patrenko Family. I’ll even give you more responsibility if that’s what you’re after.”
She nodded once and didn’t look up. “That’ll work.”
“Fine.” I rubbed my eyes and went back to pacing. “Everyone has their job. Get to work.”
Mother stood and gave me a wry stare before following Anthony out, leaning on his arm. Erin left last, still looking at her phone. I wondered what she was always doing on that thing.
I poked my head into the hallway and flagged a staff member. “Bring Winter.”
The young guard saluted and ran off.
I poured a glass of whiskey and stood in front of the fire.
Roman was getting too close. I’d grown lax ever since taking Winter as a hostage—I spent too much time with her and not enough on the ground killing my enemies. I should’ve been out with a gun and a vendetta, hunting and murdering until this war was over, but instead I stayed at Servant Manor to be as close to Winter as possible.
It was possible she made me weak. I didn’t know if that was a good or a bad thing. That was exactly what the other Oligarchs wanted. Winter was supposed to tone me down and mold me into a proper ruler, however that might happen.
And apparently it was working.
I was bluffing when I said she’d have that effect on me. I fully intended on continuing with my bloodthirsty ways, and yet already I was staying home more and focusing even tighter on my family.
Winter made me soft. I should’ve hated her for that.
But when I closed my eyes and thought of her in that wedding dress, I knew I’d never despise her, no matter what happened.
She was radiant. Gorgeous. Impeccable.
The dress hid most of her body, only hinting at her incredible figure. It was perfect, and my blood boiled with a deep gut-wrenching need. It was twisted and wrong, and yet I wanted to take her right then and there.
I hadn’t, of course. I was a gentleman, and my sister was around.
But god, Winter drove me wild.
She appeared a few minutes later. She lingered hesitantly in the doorway wearing jeans and a long-sleeve shirt. She wrapped her arms around herself, head tilted.
“You summoned me?”
“Come in. Have a drink.”
“I’m not in the mood.”
“Do it anyway.” I poured her a whiskey.
She accepted it and sat on a chair, pulling up her knees. She took a sip and made a face. I knew she didn’t like it, but she’d grow used to it in time.
Just like I hoped she’d grow used to me.
I sat across from her, trying to come up with the words to express how I felt. I felt inadequate for the first time in my life. I didn’t know if anything could make her understand that what happened at that bridal shop was nothing short of a travesty, and that I’d hunt down anyone involved and rip off their skin inch by inch in retribution.
I suspected she wouldn’t like that, however.
Winter swirled her drink thoughtfully. “Is there something going on between Kaspar and Penny?”
I frowned, taken aback. That wasn’t what I thought we’d talk about. “I don’t think so. What makes you ask?”
“They had a moment. When he first found us, he looked at her like he knew her, and she reacted sort of strange, like she was afraid.”
I frowned at my whiskey. “They knew each other in college. He was a senior, she was a freshman. But that was a long time ago and I don’t think they’ve interacted since. Maybe it was just the stress of what was happening.”
“Yeah, that’s got to be it.” Winter didn’t sound convinced.
I finished my drink and leaned forward. “I’m sorry for what happened. I never would’ve let you go if I thought you’d be in danger.”
“I know that. You don’t have to apologize. You realize that might’ve been a rescue attempt instead of an execution, right?”
“It’s a possibility.”
“So you’re saying sorry for killing my saviors.” She gave me a bitter smile. “Which is fine, actually, because I have a feeling they would’ve taken Penny too, and I don’t want her to get hurt.”
“I appreciate that. I don’t want either of you to hurt.”
“So what do we do now? I don’t blame you if that helps ease your mind at all.”
“Nothing’s going to ease my mind until Roman is dead.”
She sighed and put her drink down on the coffee table. “Will that really fix things?”
“Of course.”
“Are you sure though?” She chewed on her lip but didn’t meet my eyes. “From what I’ve gathered about you Oligarch types, you’re all obsessed with power. Once Roman is gone, won’t there be someone else?”