“Oh ... I must have forgotten. He said something like that when he came to see me last night.” Interesting. I wondered if he went to see her after I blew him and rode his face or before I passed out with him in his bed. “I suppose I shall wait until he returns then,” Nadia sighed. Pd rather be kidnapped by the real devil than sit through another moment of this. “So, Mila, where do you plan to go after this?” Nadia asked coolly. “Oh, I don’t know. I like Moscow so much, I might stay.” I was lying through my teeth, but her venomous expression made it so worth it. “You. Are. Staying.” It was not a question. “Well, why not?” “You are Mikhailov,” she said as if the matter was obvious. “You do not belong here.” “Where does it say that?” I asked with a frown. “I haven’t seen a single sign banishing Mikhailovs from Moscow.” Her eyes hardened. “He will not let you stay.” “Who?” I played dumb. “Ronan,” she growled. “You are nothing but collateral to him. And maybe a fleeting amusement, like a fancy new toy, but I assure you, his interest will pass.” I dropped my plate on the coffee table. “Is everyone on a mission to ruin my breakfasts?” I exclaimed. “And for your information, Nadia, I’ve never laid a claim on him.” I thought of his earlier dismissal that still burned in my chest. “As far as I’m concerned, you can have him.” She gave me a disbelieving look. The heat licking up my back forced me to my feet. “Congratulations . . . the mobster’s all yours.” My gaze narrowed. “Now, all you have to do is figure out how to keep him, because it doesn’t sound like you’ve been doing a very good job.” Cheeks flaming, she jumped to her stilettos. Even with bare feet, I topped her by multiple inches. Considering the look in her eyes as she was forced to look up to meet my gaze, she hated it. “You think I cannot keep him?” she asked derisively. “Mamma,” Kat whispered, “is this passiveagressivness?” “No, cara, this is just aggressiveness. Now, be quiet and pass me a pancake.”