Page 30 of Devil’s Reign

What’s going on in his head? Does he… does he like me?

I witnessed him do something that should have gotten me killed. But not only did he spare my life, he also brought me to this luxurious hotel, started feeding me restaurant-quality meals, and made me come. And now this—toiletries, clothes, everything I could need? No, no, no. He’s not doing me any favors. That’s the kind of thinking that will make me fall for him, and I can’t afford that. He’s not being generous—he’s my captor. Get that into your thick skull, Melani.

What if this is a trick? A calculated move to make me soften towards him. But soften towards him for what? He kissed me last night and I fucking folded like cheap origami. So it’s not like he needs bribery to get me into bed. If he had wanted to have sex with me yesterday, I wouldn’t have stopped him. Damn it, I need to get out of my head.

I grab a pair of underwear and put them on, ignoring how light and soft they feel against my skin. A silk top follows, then slim-fitting slacks. As I run my hands down the smooth material, I can’t help but feel a surge of confidence. I feel like a million bucks.

Just as I take in the moment, my bedroom door opens, and the guy who brings my meals walks in. He does a visible double-take when he sees me, then quickly schools his expression and sets the breakfast tray on the table.

This is a different guy from yesterday—the one who seemed to soften towards me when I was suffering in handcuffs. I wonder why he was replaced. The new guard casts one last assessing glance my way before heading for the door. “Hey, wait,” I call out. He stops to throw a frown at me. “What’s with the noise out there?”

His frown deepens, and he remains quiet for so long I’m not sure he’ll answer. But then, gruff and clipped: “A library is being built.”

Then he’s gone, the door clicking shut behind him, leaving me standing there, with a sudden, fierce jolt of anticipation. A library? A library? A new library?

I’ve wanted free access to the suite since I got here—the whole point is to search for information about Luciano, after all. But now my entire body practically vibrates with the need to get out of this room. To see this library with my own eyes. To smell the books, run my fingers along the spines. Even if they’re probably all stuffy non-fiction stuff.

I can’t imagine Vanya actually reading fictional novels. The thought makes me snort.

My feet tap restlessly as I eat, my eyes snapping to the door at every sound, trying to piece together what’s happening. The clanging has stopped now. Are they arranging the books? Finishing shelves? My pulse picks up, my foot tapping faster. I would do anything, anything, for a moment in that library. Books are my addiction—my escape, my oxygen. Damn it. I never should have asked what was going on out there. Now I’m going to obsess over this library until I’m blue in the face. What agonizing torture.

As I finish breakfast, the door opens again, and I straighten instinctively. Will Vanya let me see the library if I beg? I’m not above stooping that low. Anything for a well-packed bookshelf. I hold my breath as I wait for him to step inside. But after a few seconds, the door remains open, and nobody comes in. Hope, sweet and poignant, builds in my chest as I slowly rise to my feet. Am I... being allowed out? Or is this a test? One thought drowns out the rest. The library.

Before I can overthink it, my feet carry me forward. My lips stretch into a smile I can’t control. My hands are shaking—actually shaking. Safe to say books aren’t just my addiction. They’re my fucking kryptonite.

I come to a dead stop when I see Vanya standing on the other side with his arms crossed over his chest. He looks good in suits, but my mouth waters as I take him in, wearing casual clothes. Gray suit pants. A dark blue T-shirt clings to his broad chest. Sleeves rolled up, revealing dark ink that snakes up his hands, trailing from his forearms and disappearing beneath his elbows. God. His beauty is blinding. Unfair.

“Well, that didn’t take long.” He smirks, and my eyes drop to his mouth. Those beautiful lips. The ones that dominated mine with delicious heat last night. My own lips tingle at the memory, and I shiver involuntarily.

“Cold?” One brow lifts as his eyes sweep over me. Then he glances at something behind him, and for the first time I notice the men standing there. Fuck. When he’s in a room, he demands every ounce of attention. That’s not good. I take in the men—five in total, including the one who told me about the library. I’ve never seen the other four. Vanya speaks to one of them in brusque Russian, and I curse myself for never learning the language. Who knew I’d end up getting tangled up with Russians?

The man responds to him, but I’m already looking past them, scanning the visible rooms for which one might be the new library. One room has its door open just enough for me to glimpse a huge desk and leather chairs. That must be Vanya’s office.

My heart gives a heavy thud as I remember the real reason I’ve been so cooperative. Information. Luciano. I need to go through that office. Could this be my chance?

“Here.” Vanya’s voice pulls my attention back to him just as warmth engulfs me, my thighs clenching as I’m surrounded by his scent, leather and gun-smoke and something colder underneath. He drapes a coat over my shoulders. His coat.

“Thanks,” I mutter, stepping away from him to adjust it myself.

“Come.” He crooks a finger and walks down the living area to another open door.

He stops there and gestures inside. Frowning, I approach. The moment I cross the threshold, a loud gasp escapes my lips. It’s the library.

17

IVAN

I ignore the weird tug in my chest at the sight of her wrapped in my coat.

The fabric nearly swallows her whole, hanging past her knees, the sleeves too long—but she hasn’t buttoned it, so I can still see the clothes I bought for her peeking out from underneath. The silk blouse. The way the slacks hug her hips. She looks beautiful this morning. Not that she’s ever looked anything less than that.

Still, I’m glad she discovered her new wardrobe, even if she’s pointedly chosen not to mention it. That was expected. What I wasn’t expecting was how the sight of her in my coat would make me feel.

Possession coils tight and hot in my chest, spreading through me like wildfire.

Not that she notices. Melani has completely forgotten I exist. She lets out a delighted little sound, and suddenly she’s running into the middle of the newly finished library, arms spreading wide as she spins in a slow, dramatic circle. The coat slips off her shoulders, but she’s too captivated to care.

I can’t help it—my lips tug up as I take it all in. The room is unrecognizable. What used to be an entertainment area for my siblings has been torn apart and rebuilt from the ground up—new furnishings, lighting, atmosphere, everything. Exactly how I envisioned it. I wanted this to be a place she could lose herself in. A place to drown out any urge to leave.