Page 78 of Taken By My Grumpy Pakhan

She stopped when she got to the table, lowering herself into the seat next to Kazimir.

As usual, Nikolai’s face was the picture of amusement, although I did notice a slight difference when Svet sat opposite him, but it didn’t dim the laughter in his eyes.

Kazimir, on the other hand, didn't look amused, but he also didn’t react the way I expected. Instead, he shocked me beyond words.

“Gentlemen, let’s finish this some other time.”

If I didn’t catch my jaw in time, I would’ve heard it hit the floor with the loudest thud.

The men—including Nikolai—rose from their seats while Svetlana dropped her bag on the table, making herself more comfortable.

I didn’t know what to make of the scene, but I was full of questions.

I made to leave the room as the men exited, figuring whatever Svetlana had come to discuss would not require my audience, but I was barely out the door when she called me.

“Genevieve, dear, would you mind getting me a cup of coffee?"

When I turned, her smile was taunting and her eyes gleamed with triumph.

“Have mine,” Kazimir said, shifting his cup to her, but she pouted, shifting it back to him.

“And die of caffeine concentration overload and no sugar? No thank you.” She turned to me with her saccharine sweet smile. “I’m sure your assistant here knows how to make a latte; all assistants are good baristas.”

Kazimir didn’t say anything, so I nodded, forcing a smile. “Coming right up.”

My blood boiled over and my hands shook so much I had to curl my fingers into fists to steady them.

Caroline found me at the coffee station, her eyes filled with questions.

“Nikolai said to reschedule the meeting. Did he cancel it for her?”

I nodded stiffly, fighting the urge to not exchange sugar for salt.

“Woah. Who is she?”

“I don’t know, Caroline, but you can go in and ask her.”

“Woah.” She backed up. “Easy, tiger. I thought we were all hungry for gossip.”

I let out a loud puff of air, willing my features to relax. “I’m sorry, I’m just in a mood.”

“She’s a bitch?”

“Said all assistants were glorified baristas and asked me to go fix her a latte.”

Caroline gasped. “And the boss?”

I felt the dying fire flare back into life inside me. “He just sat there.”

“Wow. I mean, I know he’s all scary and stuff, but he never lets people talk down on employees.”

I bit my tongue to keep the words at the tip from spilling.

“And he did seem very protective about you when Collin…”

“Appears there’s a hierarchy to things and Svetlana happens to be at the top of the food chain.”

“You need help with that?” She looked at the machine I was currently squeezing.