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“They’ll be even more scared of you,” I said. “No one knows how you got those scars. All they know is someone did that to you and you still survived.”
He gazed at me. “Will you walk beside me?” he asked. “Will you be able to take the weight of their eyes on you?”
“I don’t like anyone’s attention on me,” I said honestly. “But if you want me on your arm, I’ll happily do it.”
Yakim scoffed. “You’ll be the freak’s date?”
“You’re not a freak,” I said. “Didn’t I prove to you what I like doing with your body?” My cheeks heated with embarrassment as the whole table stared at me but I didn’t look away from Yakim. Hehadto know the scars on his face didn’t define him.
“Did you get kinky with my brother?” Lilja asked, winking at me.
“I...uhh...”
“Did you give him a lap dance or something?” Mikhail asked, his silvery eyes gleaming.
“No.”
“Leave her alone,” said Yakim.
“It’s decided, then,” said Leon, rolling his butterfly knife between his fingers. “Lucia is coming to the party.”
“When is it taking place?” I asked.
“Next week,” said Lilja. She was up on her feet in an instant. “Come on. We have to find you a dress within that time.”
Warmth burst through me. They were all including me among them for the very first time. A smile blossomed on my lips as I hurried after Lilja to catch up to her.
35
Lucia
The halls and corridors of the manor were usually steeped in silence and mystery, but today, the Volkovs were making an effort to welcome their guests.
I’d never seen this level of activity since being here. All the rooms on the ground floor were being cleaned and polished for the gala this evening.
There were people rolling out carpets in the entrance halls, some cleaned the weapons and armors on display while a group hurriedly polished the crystal pieces of a gigantic chandelier.
Big vases of roses, lilies, and hydrangeas were being placed on every surface. Their subtle fragrance pervaded the space, bringing in color and calmness to the usually shadow-infested corners of the halls.
“Where’d these people come from?” I asked Lilja who was overlooking the work.
“They’re our men,” said Lilja. “We’re avoiding bringing too many outsiders here. Who wants the added inconvenience of having to silence them all?”
I stared at her. That was the “inconvenience”?
“What about the food?” I asked after a while.
“They’ve gone to collect the food for the evening,” she said, leaning over a vase of yellow roses. Inhaling deeply, she closed her eyes, seemingly enjoying the pleasure of their heady scent.
“What about the valets?”
She straightened up and inspected her nails. “We’ve hired some people for serving and entertaining. They’re specialized in serving at parties and keeping shut about whatever they witness there.”
Yakim, Leon, and Mikhail were all absent. I hadn’t seen them over the last few days. Lilja told me they were busy with the arrangements for the upcoming party but left out the details that were keeping them occupied.
“Let me take you back to your room,” said Lilja as a group of men walked past us, carrying a heavy statue of a scantily-clad woman between them. “We’ll just get in their way.”
I gave a nod and followed her down the hallway to reach a staircase.
