Chapter Eighteen: Sit Down For This
"Emily," Arvin Sloane said with a smile, dropping a kiss on Irina's cheek as he settled himself in a chair. "You look so much like your mother. Of course, I can't say that I ever had the pleasure of meeting your father."
"Oh, he's a wonderful man, Arvin," Irina assured him. "Charming. Kind. Handsome," she added, smiling in a way that made Emily's stomach turn. "I grew quite fond of him during the time he spent at the Organization."
"Until he betrayed you," Arvin noted.
Irina shook her head dismissively. "I'm quite sure that was mostly Sydney's doing, though Michael will also bear the weight of my punishment. For that, I'm regretful."
Arvin might have responded, or Emily might have, but an urgent knocking on the door interrupted them.
Irina's eyes flew to Emily, though she didn't look terribly alarmed. "Who might be missing you down at that party, Emily?"
"Uh-- my boyfriend, Keith," Emily said uneasily. "And Jack said he might be stopping by."
"Jack," Irina said, eyes lighting up. "Do show them in, Sark."
Sark hesitated to obey her command. "With all due respect, Irina, couldn't the girl's boyfriend potentially cause problems?"
"We'll deal with that later," Irina said. "Please show him in."
This time, Sark cooperated. Emily wasn't sure whether to feel relieved or alarmed when both her brother and Keith entered the room.
"What's going on here, Em?" Keith asked warily.
"Just a friendly meeting between a girl and her grandmother," Irina said, her voice as smooth as the silk blouse she wore. "I don't believe we've met. Irina Derevko," she said, extending a hand to Keith.
"Keith Jones." Keith shook her hand, still wearing the same wary expression. "Emily, I thought you hadn't seen your grandmother in years."
"She hasn't," Jack said, turning a glare on Irina. "I don't believe I'm satisfied with the answer you gave Keith, Grandmother, so I'll ask you again. What the hell is going on here?"
Irina eyed the boy for a moment, her face a mixture of amusement and cool contempt. She waited several seconds to speak again, and when she did, her words sounded almost ominous:
"Maybe you'd better sit down for this, Jack."