Page 110 of Lilies from Hell

“Because I said so.” He turns around and accompanies Grace to a place I don’t know.

I start tapping my foot nervously as time runs out on me. A few minutes later I start wandering around until I find a fairly large kitchen. My fingers reach for the refrigerator door, but before I can open it, the sound of heels clicking on the floor stops me. When I turn around, I find myself face to face with that blonde girl. My eyebrows furrow in a displeasure I try to hide behind a friendly smile.

“Hello.” She looks me up and down with an air of superiority, arrogantly. What’s wrong with people here when it comes to greeting?

“I don’t know what Alek saw in you, you’re nothing but a pathetic little girl,” she says in a mocking tone, staring intently at my breasts. “You’ve always been insignificant.”

“And yet he would choose me a thousand times over, while he wouldn’t touch you with a ten-foot pole. Ironic, isn’t it?” I smile as I see her face contort with rage, not letting her nonsense words reach me.

“That’s because you’ve bewitched him, but when it passes, I know he’ll come to me. As it should be.” I burst out laughing before letting my lips form a smile. Her face now is just another demonstration of how hurt she feels inside, and that makes my stomach tingle pleasantly.

“Then don't hold your breath,” I say before leaving with a bottle of water in my hands.

I think about waiting for him in his bedroom, but my desire to continue snooping around the house is greater than my desire to breathe in the scent of his room again. Bad idea.

35

“May I?” Grace asks, opening the door and poking her head through it.

“If you’re already in, why the fuck are you asking?” Sergei hisses turning his back on her.

“Sit down,” I point to the empty chair with a stern look. She nods without even looking at me, her eyes fixed on the floor all the time. You should get rid of her. I reproach myself, remembering what happened the last time I didn’t kill when needed. “I will give you a chance, only because I know how important you are to Lena. And I hope you take that into account, because there won’t be any more.”

“I know, and I appreciate it.”

“Good. Now I want you to settle whatever it is between you.” I glance at the time on my Patek Philippe. “You have ten minutes. I don’t want any disrespect,” I say as I lean back in my chair. When neither of them say anything, I lift my brows.

“I have nothing to discuss with this… being,” Grace murmurs hesitantly, glancing sideways at Sergei. “He was the one who started it, insulting and humiliating me in public. I was just trying to defend my honor.”

“Honor? Who the hell do you think you are? The Queen of England?” he scoffs beside her with a mocking smile.

“Sergei,” I mutter as a warning.

“See? And then he plays the victim.”

“I remind you that this is all your fault and your friend’s.”

“What am I supposed to do when I have a stranger spying on me all the time? I’m not going to just stand by and do nothing,” she says, raising her voice at last. Her tone comes back to normal as soon as my gaze lands on her. “If you had done your job properly, none of this would have happened—”

“Sorry. What did you just fucking say?” he cuts in a sharp tone with a murderous look.

“It’s not my fault you don’t know how to be discreet about what you do, Sergent. And—”

“You can’t even pronounce a name.”

“No one cares about your damn name, and don’t interrupt me,” she says, pointing her finger at him.

“Enough, both of you,” I hiss, massaging my temples. One more word and I’ll for sure develop a headache. “Grace, apologize to him.”

“But—” She let out a loud snort before turning her gaze to him. “Fine. I’m so sorry I hired a hitman to get you killed. I should have done it myself,” she adds the last part to herself. I hear it, but I ignore it for the sake of ending this shit as soon as possible.

“Apology accepted. Can I leave now?”

“No. You’ll do the same thing she did.”

“The only thing I regret is ever crossing paths with her.” Grace parts her lips to say something but closes them again.

“I’ll take that as an apology. You can go, but I don’t want you doing anything stupid again.” They get up from their chairs like children going out for recess after class. “If I find out that either of you tries anything, I’ll cut off your heads,” I warn in a sharp voice when they are in the doorway.