AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“That would be terrible, right?” I say in a teasing tone. “Committing a crime like that?”
Her laughter is the most beautiful sound I’ve ever heard. It’s the surprise nestled in there, like she can’t believe she’s actually laughing. She looks at me as though I’m magic for making her laugh. It makes me want to earn many, many, many more looks like that. “Fair point,” she murmurs. A moment later, she says, “Is there any way I can help?”
I swallow, shaking my head on instinct. That would mean spending more time together.
“No,” I tell her. “I’m sorry.”
“Because I’m a Petrov, is that it?”
No, Mila. I know what will happen if I spend too much time with you.I know what I’ll do.If she has to marry my brother to stop the city from falling into her father’s hands, I know that I’ll break me. Even if we only just met, I know deep down that is something I could never recover from.
“Yes,” I say, because it’s convenient.
She frowns. “Fair enough.”
I almost grab her when she turns away, but that would be an even bigger mistake. She closes the door with a nod, and I nod back. Then I hurry back to my room, put my headphones on, and try to focus on my three computer screens.
Dammit, she’s in my head. She won’t leave. She won’t quit.
From now on, I’ll have to do my best to avoid her. We’re all staying here because of the chaos our father threw the Bratva into when he ended it, so I can’t return to the city, where I’d be more vulnerable to an attack.
This estate is large, though. I should be able to avoid her, even if I don’t want to.
CHAPTER 5
MILA
“Hey, buddy,” I say, grinning at Drake over the video call.
It’s been two days since I tried to give myself to Dimitri—two nights since he made it clear he doesn’t want me. I was both thrilled and terrified when I learned he wasn’t interested. At least Drake looks happy, smiling at me.
“Hey, sis,” he says, beaming. “You okay?”
We talk for five minutes, and then Drake says Dad wants to speak to me. I do my best not to let the fear touch my features. I’ve spent the last two days not doing much. I work on my computer, eat the food Yuri brings me, and then do more work.
I’ve barely left my room. Dimitri’s been out a lot, and it seems like Mikhail is avoiding me. Once, I walked into the kitchen when he was there. He turned, his lips doing a strange, tight dance. Then he frowned like he wanted nothing more than for me to disappear untilhedisappeared, quickly leaving the room instead.
Dad has a fake smile when he says hello, eyes gleaming. He lowers his voice, “So?”
That’s all he has to say, and I know what he’s asking. How did it go with Dimitri? I make myself lie to Dad, even if it floods me with more terror. Lying to him has always felt dangerous. “It went well,” I say.
“He was satisfied?”
I feel so gross. “Yeah, he was.”
“And since then …”
“We’ve spent every night together.”
“Good.” He raises his voice. “Drake, I’ve changed my mind. You can buy that game!”
“Yay!”
Dad stares at the camera, a wet, insinuating smile spreading across his lips. The message couldn’t be more unmistakable. Drake stays happy as long as I keep Dimitri pleased in the run-up to the wedding.
Once Dad hangs up, I go back to getting ready. It’s Konstantin Sokolov’s funeral this morning. I guess I’m expected to be there so that I can be seen with the Sokolovs.
I wear black clothes, then apply my makeup. I never wear much, but I like the shielded feeling it gives me. I’m halfway through when there’s a knock at my door. It’s Ania. We’ve spoken a few times since I’ve been here. As usual, she’s fidgety, her hands constantly busy, her feet shifting.
