Chapter 34: Tasha, Ivana

Sunday. Rose House. Arlington, VA.

TASHA STARED AT HER reflection. The skin around her eyes was a little darker from lack of sleep, but otherwise she didn't appear to have suffered any ill effects from being out most of the night. She'd never been much for late night activities, and even less so the older she got.

She'd used every cream and procedure she could afford to preserve her youthful appearance as best she could. While she was as vain as any other woman, her looks were also a weapon.

Her first use had been against Leonid Titov, and she'd been far more successful than she could have dreamed. She'd set out to snag a powerful admirer and wound in the role of his wife. Though if it weren't for that, she wouldn't be where she was now.

Men underestimated beautiful women. She'd used that fact over the years until she was finally where she belonged, at the top of the food chain.

Footsteps hurried down the hall.

Nikolai, no doubt.

She rolled her eyes and tied the sash o