To my dismay, she takes the empty seat next to me. Mikhail installs himself in the available spot on Alex’s right.
“How are you, Dania, darling?” Feba asks with affection. She’s speaking English, no doubt for my benefit. “It’s been ages.”
Dania waves a hand. “I’ve been traveling nonstop. You know how Papa’s business takes us around the world.”
“I hope you’ll pay us a visit now that you’re home,” Feba says.
“We should organize a lunch,” Dania says. “Women only.” She winks. “I could do with a break from the company of businessmen.”
“I didn’t know you were so involved in your father’s business,” Elvira says with a tinge of disdain. “How’s your mother?”
Dania meets Elvira’s gaze head-on. “You know how Mama is. Unfortunately, always intoxicated.” To me, she says, “In case you haven’t heard the gossip yet, my mother is an alcoholic and not seen in public much.”
That shuts Elvira up. The men are still engrossed in their conversation. Mikhail doesn’t show any signs of overhearing what has been said.
“To answer your question about my involvement in the business, Elvira,” Dania says sweetly, “as you know, I’m the only child. One day, I’ll take over.”
“More likely, your future husband will,” Elvira says.
“How about meeting up at Chekhov’s next week?” Dania asks, looking around the table. “They have a new chef and the reviews are outstanding.” She turns in her seat to face me. “Kate, you have to come. I can introduce you to some friends who’ll help you pass the time while Alex spends all those long hours at the office. Everyone knows what a workaholic he is. If you enjoy the opera and ballet, you must join me at my monthly culture club.”
“That will be marvelous,” Feba says. “I know you young people prefer the nightclubs, but if you’d care to spend a couple of evenings in an old lady’s company, I’d love to introduce you to some of my artist friends. They make for the most entertaining company.”
I’m about to make up an excuse of why I won’t be able to accept the invitations when Alex says, “I’m afraid that won’t be possible.”
Dania gives him a wide-eyed look. “Really, Alex. This isn’t the Middle Ages. I’m sure Kate is capable of making her own decisions.” She fixes her gaze on me. “Aren’t you, Kate?”
Alex tightens his fingers on my knee. “Katerina and I still have a lot to see.”
“Yet you’ve done nothing but work since you’ve been back, as I’ve seen for myself when we met yesterday,” Dania says with a reprimanding frown. “You’re not planning on keeping your girlfriend all to yourself, are you?”
I tense even more. They saw each other yesterday, and Alex didn’t mention it to me? Then again, why would he? He calls the shots. He only shares with me the facts he deems necessary.
“You know how it is,” Alex says with a strained smile.
Dania bats her eyelashes. “Actually, I don’t.”
The smile on Alex’s lips turns cold. “We’re like newlyweds.” His tone carries an unspoken warning. “Still on honeymoon.”
Elvira gasps.
Feba picks up a menu and fans her face.
Apparently, sex before marriage is frowned upon by the older company at our table. Or at least discussing it is.
Dania’s grin is smug. “You don’t protect a lady’s honor, do you, Alex Volkov?”
Mikhail clears his throat and reprimands, “Dania.”
“Just watching out for my fellow sisters.” Cupping my hand, Dania continues, “Don’t let him boss you around even before he’s put a ring on your finger. You’re allowed to be your own person. We’ve moved with the times in Russia, you know.”
I pull my hand away. “Thanks, but I’m too busy to accept any invitations at the moment.”
“Busy doing what?” Dania asks. “Sitting home alone all day?”
“Nursing,” I say in a tight voice.
“Nursing,” Dania says slowly. “Yes, of course. You’re a nurse in New York. Alex mentioned something like that. Who are you nursing?” She scoffs. “His bodyguards?”
Under the table, Alex squeezes my knee so hard it almost hurts, but his grip on the stem of his water glass remains light.
“Excuse me,” I say, pushing to my feet. “I have to powder my nose.”
Alex stands too. “I’ll accompany you.”
“To the ladies’ room?” Feba exclaims, fanning her face faster.
“Please, Alex,” Elvira says with a wink. “There are limits even for honeymooners.”
Alex’s polite humor is all fake. “No one has ever accused me of not being a gentleman.”
“I’ll accompany her,” Dania says, getting up. “If it makes you feel better, Alex, my bodyguards can stand guard.”
“Sit, Alex,” Mikhail says, placing a hand on Alex’s forearm. “Let the women be women and do whatever women do in the ladies’ room.”
“Gossip,” Dania says conspiratorially.
I have no desire to let Dania accompany me to the bathroom. Going there is just an excuse to escape, but everyone is staring at Alex, Dania, and me now, waiting for Alex’s call. He’s already made me look like someone incapable of making her own decisions. He’s announced to the whole table that we can’t keep our hands off of each other when the older women have made it clear the subject is taboo in a public conversation. They already have a negative impression of me. If Alex insists on walking me to the bathroom, it will only make matters worse. After what was implied, they’ll no doubt think we’re going together to have a quickie.
A tense moment passes as indecision plays on Alex’s face. I know how worried he is about our safety, but thanks to the measures he put in place, the hall is like Fort Knox.
“We won’t be long,” I say, taking back the only power I can as I push back my chair.
My heart keeps time with heavy beats. A second passes, then another, and then Alex slowly sits down, but not before catching the gaze of Igor, who stands not far away from our table.
Beyond relieved, I excuse myself and walk away. Dania hooks her arm around mine like we’re friends, chatting amiably as I follow the bathroom sign to the end of the hallway.
I don’t hear a word she says. My mind feels as if it’s been stuffed full of cotton. All I can think about is how humiliated I feel, even though I logically know that wasn’t Alex’s intention. He was only trying to keep me safe, but in doing so, he told me and everyone else that I can’t go anywhere without his consent.
“Hey.” Dania nudges my shoulder when we enter the ladies’ room. “Are you all right? You look pale.”
I go to the vanity and face my reflection in the mirror. My cheeks are indeed pale despite the makeup and the natural olive tint of my skin. Taking a bronzer from my clutch, I brush a little over my cheekbones.
“Is Alex treating you well?” she asks, smoothing a hand over her perfectly styled hair. It’s caught in a ballerina bun at the nape of her neck.