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“I made sure to take a long route here,” I say as soon as I walk through the door. “A lot of people saw me wearing this.”
The dress I’m wearing is the last thing I would ever pick for myself: a black silky satin material with a low-cut bodice, anda short flirty skirt. I’m not sure if this is some idea of a joke or if Dad really thinks this will get Dimitri’s attention. While unpacking some of my belongings, I found a suitcase I hadn’t packed filled with slinky, skintight dresses, and lingerie, courtesy of my father, I’m sure. Who else would do something like this?
I don’t catch all of what Dimitri says next. I hear him say, “The food will be here soon.”
All I can do is sigh and nod. The sooner we get this show started, the sooner I can return to my room to hide out until dinner rolls around. We can’t just sit here in silence, so I might as well get the big stuff out of the way.
“Are you angry that I’m helping Mikhail?”
“No,” he grunts. “I’m pissed that any of this is happening.”
“You don’t want this marriage, do you?” I mutter, unsure what I expect to hear when it’s so clearly written on his face.
He chuckles gruffly. “It’s that obvious? No offense.”
“None taken,” I say, not in the least offended he doesn’t want to marry me, not when all I can think about is his brother. I take a deep breath and ask my next question. “Is there a way out?”
“I don’t know. Possibly. There are so many pieces at play and ways it could go wrong. For now, we need to keep pretending.”
I nod. “Maybe I could come to your bedroom again later?” I mutter. The last thing I want to do is go back to his room, but this time, we would both be in on the plan and most importantly, I wouldn’t have to pretend to seduce him. If he’s willing to look for a way out of this, I’m more than willing to help by playing my part.
“That’s an idea,” he says offhandedly.
We talk until we hear Yuri’s voice coming down the hallway.
“Don’t get your hopes up,” he says sternly, just as I hear Yuri’s footsteps coming closer, but I’m unsure if he’s saying it to himself or me. “We still might have to do this.”
“I know,” I say, folding my arms across my middle just when I was starting to feel a little hope. I should know I can’t dream until I’m sure there’s a way out of this.
CHAPTER 10
MIKHAIL
Dinner is a true test of my restraint. I didn’t see her after lunch, but what the hell am I supposed to do now? Mila is wearing a gorgeous red glittery dress. It sparkles in the light, highlighting her curves and shapeliness, awakening the animal in me each time I glance at her. She sneaks me secret looks, too, her cheeks blushing a subtle and cock-stiffening shade of red. I try to distract myself by speaking about my video game, but everything in me roars to reach under the table, touch her thickness, claim her, own her.
When Dimitri says he’s going into the city after dinner, my instincts turn dark and brutal. “Are you going to take security?”
“I’m not sure.” He gives me a look I can read easily. He’s uncertain who he can trust.
“Change of plan, then. I’m coming with you.”
“Are you sure?”
I almost laugh. That’s the most insane question he could ask me. I need to protect my brother, but then a thought hits me. If Dimitri’s right and there are Sokolovs who might be on thePetrov payroll, what if they try to hurt Mila? If they did anything to her when I was somewhere else, not able to protect her, I’d never forgive myself.
I think about the attackers being successful next time. “If those fuckers hit you again, I don’t want you to be alone.”
Dimitri stands. “Lia, can I walk you home?”
“Home,” she repeats, her voice numb. She seems like a nice enough girl. Maybe a little standoffish, but Mila’s been distant the whole dinner, too. I can’t blame either of them. She stands up. “Sure.” They both leave the room.
“I guess I can go too, then?” Mila says.
“You don’t have to ask for permission.”
Her chair makes ascreeknoise as she pushes away. “I’ll keep working.”
I can’t stop myself from watching her go. My gaze fixates on how her hips sway from side to side in that dress, glittering and sparkling. Once she’s gone, I turn to find Ania grinning at me.
