Mixed blood

Chapter 32: Allow it

Nikolai swirled the amber liquid in his glass as he listened.

"...And the port in Belgrade?" Luana asked.

Nikolai tilted his glass slightly, the ice inside clinking. "We'll move the shipments through it for now, under the Serbian customs' blind spot. As long as your cousin keeps his men discreet, we won't have any issues."

She nodded. "He will. The Romeros don't make promises they don't intend to keep."

He grinned, a lazy curve of his mouth. "That's why we like doing business with you. Your people have spine. And you—" His eyes roamed briefly—not disrespectfully, but with a kind of amused appreciation. "You've always known how to keep men on their toes."

"Careful, Nikolai. You're straying from business into bullshit."

He laughed, deep and low, holding his hands up in a mock surrender. "Guilty. But in my defense—" his gaze dropped for a half second to the way her gown hugged her frame, then back up, "—it's not a lie. You look stunning tonight."

For a moment, Luana said nothing. Then she shot him a look—sharp enough to slice.

But then... she smiled. Just barely.

Nikolai chuckled, "Alright, alright. Ease up. I know your claws are sharper than my tailor's scissors."

And that's when the air changed.

A sudden shift—like static crawling under the skin.

Luana didn't need to turn. She felt him.

William.

He approached—shoulders squared, face unreadable, green eyes locked on Nikolai with the weight of a silent war behind them.

"Dragić," William said, extending a hand that was anything but friendly.

Nikolai smirked as he took it. "Russo."

A handshake passed between them—civil, but cold enough to shatter.

Luana rolled her eyes—just enough for both men to notice.

Of course, the pissing contest had begun.

Boys.

"Gentlemen," she said, lifting her glass with a hint of sarcasm. "Shall we keep this civil, or are we about to measure who has the bigger artillery?"

Nikolai chuckled again, clearly enjoying himself.

William didn't.

He turned to Luana. "Excuse us, Nikolai. My wife and I have some allies we should meet."

There was no room for refusal.

Nikolai bowed his head slightly. "Don't keep her away too long, Russo. I was enjoying our conversation."

William didn't reply. His hand found the small of Luana's back—firm, possessive, and not up for debate. He guided her away.

The moment they were out of earshot, Luana shot him a glare. "That was business, William."

"I saw," he said evenly.

She stopped walking, turning fully to face him. "You interrupted. We were finalizing terms for the next port handoff."

His jaw tensed. "Don't forget that you can do business with the Romeros because I allow it."

And just like that—her blood simmered.

Luana blinked, slow and cold, like she couldn't quite believe what she'd just heard.

"Allow it?" she echoed, voice razor-sharp.