"And what did you tell him?" Sam asks evenly.
"I---" I study his face, trying to decide if he's serious. Everything about him says he is. "Is that a real question? I laughed in his face and left. Obviously."
Is that relief I see flashing in Samuil's eyes? As if I'd ever accept a dime from his father?
"I don't think many people have refused him," I continue, remembering the way Leonid's face had twisted with rage. "Because he did not look happy. Actually, I know he wasn't happy. Unless murder threats are his love language."
Samuil jolts to his feet. "He threatened you?"
This is more of the kind of reaction I expected. Apparently, I should've led with the murder threats.
"He said Ruby and Rufus 'aren't vicious enough to protect me from what's coming.' But he wasn't specific about what
