Page 41 of Savage Little Lies

I slam both of my mine back one after the other. It doesn’t help. I came here tonight thinking that I could get everything off my chest and take a deep breath, but I feel even more suffocated.

Would having Cara be a disappointment? No, I don’t think so. I’m certain she would exceed all my expectations.

“Good thing you have a driver,” Andrei comments before drinking one of his shots. “Now, are you going to abide by your contract and behave, or do I need to worry about you?”

A light buzz fills my head as my skin warms, the alcohol gradually taking effect. I need to figure out some sort of loophole to get what I want, or I’m going to go crazy and do something stupid.

My only option is to get what I want before the ring.

Cara’s worth the risk.

I meet Andrei’s gaze. “Everything will be fine.”

He exhales slowly, a look of concern furrowing his brow. He knocks back his last shot and shakes his head. “Yeah, we’ll see about that.”

Yes, we will. Because I’ve already made up my mind.

16

Cara

“If you’re going to shadow me, you’ll have to move faster than that.”

“Yes, Ms. Reynolds,” Gabe replies from ten feet behind me.

I power walk down the sidewalk, carrying a takeout bag from Kyoto Express in one hand and a sealed envelope with signed documents in the other. Today has been insanely busy, and I can’t have a slow bodyguard messing up my pace.

I should’ve brought Dmitri lunch twenty minutes ago, but someone had to investigate a suspicious person in the area before we could get out of the car. A familiar face. Possibly one of my father’s men.

Still, I can’t have any slowdowns when I’m trying to impress Dmitri.

He may already treat me as more than just an assistant, but if I suck at my job, that’ll cost me points in the game I’m playing with him.

Gabe overtakes me and holds the door to the building open, towering over me with his broad, muscular frame. He definitely looks like he’s bodyguard material.

“Thanks,” I say, willing myself to be kind despite my frustration.

And I’m frustrated about a lot lately.

Not only is my father still breathing down my neck, possibly sending his men to watch me, but I’ve also had a little…pent-up energy. Maybe a lot. All this silent sexual tension between Dmitri and me is messing with my head.

And reminding me of how long it’s been since I’ve let a guy into my bed.

That didn’t bother me for a while because I was so focused on school, internships, and trying to keep my father happy. But the moment that Dmitri entered my life with his good looks and dangerous charm, along with his constant, too-close proximity, it started becoming a problem.

Once I step into the elevator with Gabe, I push my hair back behind my shoulders, giving myself some breathing room as my skin heats up. I haven’t seen Dmitri even once today because we’ve both been so busy.

Admittedly, my heartbeat quickens every time I think about seeing him. He certainly keeps me on my toes.

“He can get quite hangry, so you might want to stay outside his office,” I warn Gabe once the elevator doors slide open.

“I’ll be on standby in case you have more errands to run, Ms. Reynolds,” Gabe replies as he comes to a stop next to Karly’s desk. “Ms. West.”

“I told you it’s Karly,” she says with a warm smile as she turns in her swivel chair toward him, smoothing down her maxi dress over her thighs.

“Karly,” Gabe repeats as the side of his mouth lifts a little. “I hope you’re having a good day.”

“It’s already starting to get a little better,” Karly replies as she gazes up at him. She might as well have hearts in her eyes.