Mia Knight

Jasmine, 10 Years Old, PT 2

Added 2025-08-17 15:00:11 +0000 UTC

Kira’s petulant expression eased into a genuine smile when she was approached by an acquaintance of her father. Kira spoke in rapid Russian. Jasmine understood bits and pieces of what they were saying, since Kira switched between her native tongue and English often when they spoke on the phone. Kira introduced her and Penelope to Pyotr Morozov. Penelope did a neat curtsy while Jasmine nodded and smiled politely, recognizing he was one of the white whales her father had been looking forward to meeting this evening.

“I’m surprised he came up to you,” Jasmine said in a low undertone once Pyotr took his leave, noting he hadn’t taken more than a few steps before he was stopped by two men who had been waiting for him to finish his chat with Kira.

“Why wouldn’t he? He and my father are very close,” Kira said with a pretty shrug.

Jasmine’s brows drew together. Her father’s friends barely acknowledged her, much less would bother to speak to her when there were so many high-profile people in the room.

Several minutes passed before Kira announced, “I’m bored. Let’s get out of here.”

Jasmine blinked. “To go where?”

Kira linked her arm through hers. “Why don’t you give us a tour?”

“Tour?” Jasmine echoed uneasily.

“Your father rarely hosts parties in his private domain. Who wouldn’t want a tour by someone who knows Hennessy Tower inside and out?”

Jasmine dug her heels in as Kira tried to usher her toward the open double doors. “I can’t leave the ballroom!” she hissed.

“Why not?” Kira demanded.

“Because,” she floundered, flapping one of her hands back and forth before she caught herself and dropped it to her side. “My sisters may need me for something.”

Her cheeks bloomed with color when Kira raised her eyebrows. They all knew her family wouldn’t call on her for anything. Her friends had been present when Ariana reminded her to observe the festivities and not get in the way.

**This is a raw draft of Bitter Sins. Please do not share or distribute.