Page 77 of Godless Saints

Across the table, Aleksei turned a page. “Still no.”

My thumb dug deeper. “Can I have my phone back now?”

“Nyet.”

“It’s been over six weeks.”

“I’m aware.”

“Aleksei.”

His eyes stayed on the page.

“Give me my phone.”

His newspaper hit the table. He stood slowly and came around until his chest nearly touched mine. “No.”

“You can't keep it forever.”

“Hell I can. And I will.”

Misha shoved between us, palm flat on my chest. “Can we not do murder before coffee? Bloodshed after breakfast, yeah?”

“Move,” Aleksei said.

“No. You’re both too close.” Misha looked at me, suddenly serious. “Cil. You’re on Moon detox.”

“There’s no coming off Moon. Not ever.”

Misha’s fingers tightened in my shirt. “You said that too fast.”

“My grandfather called again.” Aleksei shoved at his brother’s shoulder. “After your little stunt, every faction in Thorn is questioning why I still shield Moon Hyun-seo. I had nearly scrubbed our name clean. Then you looked at Carrick like he put his hands on what’s yours.”

My teeth clicked shut so hard pain flared through my jaw.

Aleksei heard it. “Exactly. You brought Aster’s prince into Thorn with a Blood Writ still on his head. Showed your hand in front of every faction. I had to rip him out of Carrick’s grip before that Irish bastard dragged him somewhere private.”

“Don’t.”

“No. Hear it.” Aleksei’s voice dropped. “He wasn’t taking Moon somewhere quiet to talk politics. Carrick would’ve had him on his knees in the nearest stairwell, breaking that pretty Aster control until he screamed for you to come save him.”

Moon’s name jammed in my throat. Misha’s palm pressed harder into my chest. I didn’t push it off.

“So stop pretending this is romance.” Aleksei’s eyes stayed flat. “Your obsession is inconvenient, visible, and about to cost us everything. Fix it. Or I will.”

“I’m not—”

“If I hear one more word about Moon Hyun-seo, Aster, or your dick, Ashbourne won’t have a mafia heir left to protect.”

Misha froze.

Aleksei’s mouth curved. “You’re not going anywhere near the Winter Ball tomorrow.”

I laughed once.

“Try stopping me.”

“I have been. For six weeks.” His eyes stayed flat. “If Moon Hyun-seo walks into that ballroom, you stop being a person. You become pure reaction. And I’m tired of cleaning up your fucking reactions.”