#Chapter 106 – Kingpins and Pawns

I open my mouth to say something – anything – but the girl on Ivan’s arm is quicker than me. “Daniel,” the young woman ways with a sweet smile, pretending she doesn’t notice the tension and breaking it as she takes a happy step forward towards Daniel. “Do you remember me?” Her voice has a slight Russian accent – not at all strong, but the sort of thing you might unconsciously carry if you grew up American but lived in a Russian-speaking household all of your life. Daniel takes a deep breath and then shifts his gaze to the Russian girl, smoothing his expression with effort. “Of course I remember you, Mila,” Daniel replies with a genteel smile. He tucks his temper fully away as he drops my arm and steps forward to give her a polite, familiar kiss on the cheek. Mila laughs charmingly as Daniel kisses her, turning her face towards him as he pulls away so that their lips almost brush. I blink in surprise at this, and then look at her more closely, admiring the sheet of black hair that