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“Hey,” I ventured, trying to hide the nervous tell in my voice that always came out when I was anxious.
“Hey there, Riley-girl,” he answered softly. He sipped at his vodka and lifted his gaze to meet mine. It was heated and that was enough to make me blush just a little bit. He put down his glass and crossed the room until he was standing in front of me.
With his body so close, I felt so small and dainty. Tentatively, I reached for his hand, and he quickly ensnared mine with his.
I gazed up at him, his blue eyes searching mine. He brought a hand up to cup my face, his thumb brushing my cheekbone.
His gaze darkened, his touch possessive.
“You and I have something to discuss, little girl,” he warned, and I started, taking a step back, but then his hand whipped around and wrapped around the back of my neck, pulling me back to him.
He tilted my chin up and lowered his head so that his lips were only a whisper away from mine. I could practically taste the alcohol on his tongue.
My pulse skyrocketed.
“What’s that?” I replied, trying to keep my voice steady so I didn’t give away just how nervous I was right now.
“Did you lie to me, Riley?” he asked.
“I don’t know what you mean,” I ventured, dropping my gaze from his to the floor. I couldn’t meet his eyes. Guilt spread from my core and swirled up, blanketing me in it like a terrible winter storm.
Maxim didn’t say anything for a long moment, and the silence stretched out between us until it was tangible. My skin prickled and the urge to flee was nearly overpowering, but instead, I forced myself to stay.
“I’m going to ask you a second time and I want you to think carefully, little girl. Whether or not you’re truthful with Daddy is going to be very important tonight,” he continued, and my heart practically palpitated right out of my chest.
I swallowed hard, and I could hear the sound of it echo in the suddenly silent room.
My stomach was a bundle of nerves.
What if it wasn’t what I thought? What if I admitted to lying to him about my identity and he had something else over my head and I would get in even more trouble than I already was? I had to figure out what he knew first.
So I didn’t come clean.
At least, not yet.
“No,” I replied softly. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“That’s unfortunate,” he said. His expression turned dark. “Because if you did lie to Daddy, there’s going to be a lot of trouble in store for you tonight.”
My nerves nearly imploded.
“I didn’t lie—” I began, but he quickly cleared his throat and cut me off.
“Don’t lie to me for a second time, moya malyshka.”
The firm tone of his voice set me on edge. The deep rumble was enough to roll down my spine and settle in my stomach. I was certain he knew something now. There was no getting around it.
I swallowed hard and dropped my eyes back to the floor, trying to stay focused anywhere else, as if not looking at him would somehow save me even though I knew it wouldn’t.
“Yes, Daddy,” I replied, my voice soft.
“Now, Daddy gave you a chance to tell him the truth and you refused to, little girl, so I want you to remember that when I punish you tonight.”
Punish?
This was definitely not good.
“Wait, Daddy, please,” I tried, and he shook his head. I shivered.
