In Bed With Her Shithead Boss (By Ellie Wynters) novel Chapter 311

Maria shot to her feet, her chair scraping against the floor. "You don't know what you're talking about!"

"Don't I?" Keira remained seated, her voice deadly calm. "Then explain to me why you've been circling Alexei like a vulture since I arrived. Why every conversation we've had has been you trying to undermine me and my worth."

Maria's hands clenched at her sides. "You think you can just waltz in here and take what should be mine? I've been preparing for this role my entire life!"

"There it is," Keira said with satisfaction. "Finally, some honesty. You think Alexei belongs to you."

"I would be perfect for him!" Maria's voice rose, all royal composure gone in a blink of an eye. "I understand this world, I know what's expected. I could help him rule—"

"But he doesn't want you," Keira interrupted, rising slowly to her feet. Alexei still didn't say anything proving Keira right.

Maria's face went white, then flushed crimson. "He would if you hadn't—"

"If I hadn't what? Existed? Sorry, Maria, but I'm not going anywhere just to make your delusions easier to swallow. You need help."

"You're nothing but a common—"

"Choose your next words very carefully," Alexei's voice cut through the confrontation like a blade. He'd been silent throughout their exchange, but now he stood, his presence suddenly menacing. "Because I won't tolerate anyone insulting my fiancée. Not even so-called family."

Maria whirled to face him, touching him on the arm, tears streaming down her cheeks. "Alexei, please. You can't seriously be considering marrying her. She's completely wrong for you… for us—for the crown!"

"That's enough." His voice carried the full weight of his royal authority. "You will keep your opinions about my choice of bride to yourself, or you'll find yourself persona non grata at this palace."

"But Alexei—"

"No." He stepped closer to Keira, his hand finding the small of her back in a gesture of unmistakable support. "Keira will be my wife, and eventually your princess. You will treat her with the respect her position demands, or you will never be welcome here again. Your invitation to every social event withdrawn."

Maria stared at him as if he'd struck her.

"I suggest you take some time to adjust your attitude; you are not welcome tonight." Alexei continued, his tone harsh.

Maria's face crumpled, horror filled her wet eyes as the full weight of Alexei's rejection hit her.

"You'll regret this," she whispered, her voice breaking. "Both of you. When she proves she's not worthy of this family, when she embarrasses the crown—"

"That's enough," Alexei's voice cut through her words like ice. "Leave. Now."

Maria's gaze darted between them, desperate and wild. "Alexei, please. You know I would never—"

"I'm fine." She looked up at him, studying his expression. "Are you? I know she's family."

"She's a second cousin who's forgotten her place." His jaw was still tight with anger. "I won't have anyone speak to you that way. Ever."

The fierce protectiveness in his voice made something warm unfurl in her chest. "Thank you for backing me up, and I could feel the tension in you. I knew you wanted to take over and deal with her sooner. Thank you for letting me."

"Always." He leaned down to press a kiss to her temple. "Though you hardly needed it. You handled her perfectly."

Keira laughed, some of the tension finally leaving her shoulders. "I may have been a bit harsh. I laid her feelings for you bare."

"You were honest. There's a difference." Alexei pulled out his chair and sat beside her again. "Maria needed to hear the truth, even if she didn't want to. She doesn't love me. She loves my title. Even Niko would have done. She didn't make Amelia very welcome. But that was a match no one could have changed."

"And Amelia's American," Keira said, pouring herself a fresh cup of coffee. "Even though her family is from here, Maria must have seen her as a threat."

"Exactly. Amelia saw right through the passive-aggressive bullshit from day one." Alexei reached for a pastry from the basket on the table. "Though she handled it with more diplomacy than you just did."

Keira raised an eyebrow. "Are you criticizing my technique?"

"God, no." His eyes gleamed with something that looked suspiciously like pride. "I'm admiring it. Maria's been getting away with her little power plays for years because everyone's too polite to call her out directly."