Page 83 of Lilies from Hell

“You’re nosy.”

“Let’s just say I like knowledge. Knowledge is power.”

“Yeah, right,” I mutter.

“I won’t tell anyone. I promise.”

“I have a boyfriend,” I blurt out, almost stumbling over my words. The tingling sensation in my stomach is not long in coming.

“And who is he? Oh, let me guess.” He narrows his eyes and runs his fingers over his chin. “It starts with an A, ends with an I, and in his spare time he likes to drink blood,” he murmurs with a sly smile, causing me to choke on my chocolate milkshake.

“He doesn’t like to drink blood,” I say with a slight blush on my cheeks. “And how do you know that?”

“Anyone would notice.” I let out a sigh as I twiddle my fingers.

“What about you?” I ask, trying to change the subject.

“Nothing important. I went out partying with the guys the other night.” I nod, focusing more on biting into my burger. However, when I hear what comes next, I almost choke. “Josh has tattoos on his dick. Did you know that?”

“Of course not. Why should I know?” He shrugs and continues eating, ignoring my disgusted expression.

“That’s not interesting. Tell me something better. Is it official? Does that mean the house is finally ours? Has he sucked your blood yet?” He asks raising his eyebrows with an amused smile that makes me laugh.

Just as I’m about to answer, a woman’s words make me glance up at the big screen hanging from the ceiling. With all the noise in the restaurant, all I can make out is the headline saying that Norman Ramirez has been captured in a police raid in Monterrey and will be extradited here in a few days. Before he got into trouble with the police, he was one of the people who sent merchandise to my father from Mexico, but lately he hadn’t been in touch much. Not until now.

Jason’s whistle distracts me from the television and makes me forget for a moment the knot of worry in my stomach.

“One down,” he says simply, popping a potato chip into his mouth.

“I thought something had happened to you. Don’t ever leave like that again.” Polina runs towards me and spreads her arms as soon as she sees me.

The annoyed expression on my face isn’t enough to scare her away, so I dodge her and continue on my way to the room where Denis is waiting for me.

“The stupid bastard took the bait,” he says, sitting on the sofa with a grin.

“Good. I want you to find out who’ll be in charge from now on, how they’ll operate, how they’ll eat, how they’ll breathe. Fucking everything. I don’t trust them one bit.”

“As you say, my lord.” He disappears quickly. Not before making that stupid bow that accompanies another of the nicknames he had given me.

Shortly after he leaves, I hear other footsteps approaching behind the door.

“As far as I know, your father wanted you to ally yourself with them. Why wouldn’t they be trustworthy?” I raise my head to find Sergei frowning.

“Are you now eavesdropping on other people’s conversations?” I ask with a hint of indifference.

“I was just passing by and heard it.”

“I need you to keep a closer eye on her.”

“Why? What are you plan—?”

“You ask too many questions. Just do as I tell you,” I cut him off with a cold stare.

“All right, whatever you say,” he mutters leaving the room after.

Then I take out the pendant. I’ve seen a similar symbol before, and although I have my own suspicions, I’m frustrated that I can’t remember exactly where or when I saw it. What’s clear is that this pendant came with something else for her that I will destroy myself and then feed it to whoever the fuck dared to give it to her.

Ty deystvitel’no krasivaya¹: You are truly beautiful