JULIANA
Iroll my eyes at Gio, but honestly, I think he's gotten a bit yummier since college. He has thick dark hair, lovely tanned skin, lean muscle, and stands about a foot taller than me. Not quite the same climb as Konstantin, but considering he had plenty of entries in my diary when I was eighteen, he's worthy of a whole book now.
His dark eyes hold mine after that statement. I'd love to dig into it, to ask exactly how interesting he's going to be, but I know that power he carries so well on his shoulders is from his dad and mine.
I pull Nolan onto my lap and stroke him slowly, then look over at Konstantin. "Would you like to hold Charlie? He just might let you since he hasn't growled."
He can't quite cover the excitement which is adorable. He clears his throat. "No, thank you, Juliana."
"Well, if you're going to be so formal." I lean towards him and make sure our legs brush. "You should call me Miss Giovani, don't you think?"
He clears his throat and takes a long drink of water. As if I'm the one trying his patience. If my dad wasn't watching, I could be on top of Konstantin like little sixteen-year-old me fantasized. I bet he'd feel amazing too. Well, I hope he would.
Konstantin exudes power now, but I remember how nervous he'd get when I'd flirt way back when. Was it because I was flaunting myself knowing he couldn't touch or was it because he's not used to women who know what they want?
"So you don't want to hold Charlie?" I point at my sweet little Pomeranian that's very interested in Konstantin's sock. "I'm sure he'd love some attention. I know I would, especially from a man like you."
Konstantin doesn't give anything away, just shakes his head.
He's almost cute.
"Stop playing with the bodyguard, Juliana. He has enough on his plate." Gio growls.
"And I thought you said you were going to be interesting," I grumble, then tap Konstantin's empty plate. "But I don't think I see anything here. If I was to sit in this exact spot, then you'd have plenty to do. Should we give it a try?"
Gio takes my hand. I immediately look at him. If Daddy hurts men that look too long, what does Gio think he's going to get out of touching me? His eyes bore deep into mine, reminding me of that 'almost' kiss we had in college.
It would have been stupid, wouldn't have counted since we were both tipsy, but he'd looked at me just like this. Intense, hungry, and full of demands he's ready to give and a whole lot more.
"Think of the trouble he'd get into."
I shake Gio's hand off. "Andyouknow that my father doesn't just punish the men I play with." Gio takes a drink from his glass but doesn't look away. Doesn't even blink. I scoff. "Anyway, it's just pretend. All for fun."
I stand up and see Konstantin ready to follow. I gently pat his shoulder. "I'm planning on some girl talk. Be good and stay."
He blinks at me and I gently stroke his jaw. I make sure Dad can't see me do it, proof I have more mercy than my reputation promises. I lean down to Konstantin. "If you're a good boy, I'll reward you later."
I see his face go a little pink and smile as I walk my dogs over to the woman with Hunter Volkov. They didn't print her name. Hunter looks at me, noting my existence, then back to the woman. He pulls her close.
"Dorogaya, you're so cold."
"Good try, Hunt. You know if I'm cold, I fix it quickly." She teases, a smile tugging on her lips. When Hunter glances at me again, she turns to greet me. "Hello."
"I'm Juliana Giovani."
"The daughter of one of my father's business partners," Hunter explains.
"Oh, nice to meet you. I'm Valerie." She offers me her hand.
I glance at Charlie and Nolan. No reaction. I shake her hand. "Could I drag you away from your company for some girl talk?"
Valerie glances at Hunter and he sighs, but walks away, his eyes flicking back. She rolls her own eyes. "Overprotective."
"He has every reason to be." Of course, I've learned all my father's most dangerous secrets, like colluding with the mafia, or any mafia as long as it brings his profits up. "I saw the tabloids where you were featured."
Her gaze turns sharp.
"I wanted to thank you."
"Thank me?"
"For being unapologetically yourself. You don't know how rare that is. What a dream it is for some," I say.
She looks me over carefully. "A dream for you?"
"For some." I keep my smile. "Being a woman in this world isn't easy, but I'm sure you've heard that plenty. You give me hope."
She blinks a few times. "Thank ... thank you?"
"Promise me something, stranger to stranger." I lean over to her. "Don't let those men change you or cage you. And perhaps, if you find you or your men could use a business partner – strictly business – consider a well-trained currently leashed woman."
Valerie just watches me. I incline my head and my smile comes right back. "I appreciate your time. If you leave Hunter waiting for long, he might come and grab you."
"Not might." She laughs lightly. "Enjoy your night, Juliana."
I nod and return to my table like a good girl. Dad gives me a subtle thumbs up. He loves to see me mingling. I sit in the chair and look around. "I made an appearance. I'm ready to go."
"Don't be like that, Juliana," Gio says, leaning closer. "Don't you want to have fun?"
I smirk and lean my head to the side. "What kind of fun do you have in mind?"
"We can dance, socialize, catch up. I missed you at dinner." His eyes flick to Konstantin with a darkness there. Something like jealousy. "We haven't gotten to talk alone since college."
I pout. "All you want to do is talk? Have I lost my charm?"
"Jul-"
I lean back towards Konstantin. "What about you, big man? Am I less appealing than I was at sixteen?"
He shakes his head.
"You didn't even look." I motion to my body and the dress I have as a second skin.
He takes a slow breath and peruses me slowly. When his eyes return to mine, there's no blush, no hint of anything. "You are impeccable."
I snort and sit up. "I'm going home. You can follow or-"
"My orders are to keep you here," Konstantin reports.
"Shame. I was hoping you'd pull me into some dark room and make tonight memorable."
"We're here to support someone else, Juliana. To make friends with the right people. Don't be so selfish," Gio orders.
I snort. "You sound anymore like your father and I'm going to go from potentially fuckable to a nun."
Gio's eyes flit over me and I wait for him to say something. When he doesn't, I feel my temper bubble. "You've been around my father for too long. It's not selfish to want to go home when I'm barely looked at as more than Daddy's precious little doll."
I stand up just as Mr. Volkov Senior starts a speech. No one even glances at me. They're all focused on the speech. They're well-behaved. They've been brainwashed or learned their place in the world of old money. But that's not me.
I don't want to just float on the wealth I have, spend money, and smile when Dad finally chooses a man for me to marry. I want to make waves. I want to part oceans. I want to take control just like I did in college.
Dad gave me some freedom back then as long as I wasn't by his side. Then Mom died and I suddenly can't be trusted to make my own decisions, and choose good people to have in my life. I'm over it. I refuse to live like this.
Not when women like Valerie exist. Not when I know I'm capable of more. If that means splitting hairs or dealing with Dad's temper. I will. I walk out of the mansion and note all the security guards. I know that Gio or Konstantin will be coming for me.
I don't want them in trouble, but being assigned to me is a way for Dad to let out his frustration on someone. He knows he can't keep me in time out forever and just wants an excuse to be a brute.
Gio makes it out first. He grabs my wrist. "You need to grow up, Juliana."
"Let me and I will." I try to jerk my arm back. "I shouldn't have to tolerate this."
"This life is dangerous, or do you need some reminding? You have money. People want money. Wasn't that clear with the near mugging earlier?"
Charlie snarls and snorts so hard that he sneezes. I glance down at my dog and Gio takes a step back. He clears his throat and adjusts his sleeve. "You're not the only one who lost someone. You're not the only one that wants to make something different."
"But I'm the one who's a powerless woman expected to be happy shopping and getting my nails done."
"What's wrong with actually enjoying what you can?"
"What Ienjoyis being free. Ienjoybuilding something more than myself and actually putting some damn good into this world instead of having bodyguards strapped to my side and a hand covering my mouth when I want to say something."
I take a step back from him. "I thought you understood that."
"I can see it from both sides, Julie." He softens his voice. "After losing my dad ... I realized how many stupid chances we took. Chances we never should have taken. Chances like the last one my dad took when he dismissed his guards and ... well..."
"That's not fair to bring up." I hiss. "My mom did everything right and she still ended up gone. So if I'm screwed either way, I want tolive."
"You seem pretty alive to me." He takes my hand and strokes the inside of my wrist. "Pulse and everything."
"Your charm is powerless right now," I say, despite the fact that his boyish smile gets me every damn time. His thumb stroking my wrist again and again so gently feels wonderful. He could put me into a trance with all these right words and gentle touches, but only if I let him.
I pull my hand away. "I just want to be normal, Gio. I didn't get to be a wild teenager. I got three years of living my life close to how I wanted, but ... I want more than three years."
"So what? You're going to move to Brazil and change your name and start from scratch?"
I see Konstantin standing in the shadows behind Gio.
I don't bother wiping at my watery eyes. "No. I'm going to do things my way."
"What does that mean?" Gio asks.
"It means I'm going to move up the ranks, take control ... or."
Konstantin looks over and I feel the genuine smile spread over my face as I hold my head higher. "Or I'm going to burn it all to the ground and prove I can turn ash to gold.