Total pages in book: 90
Estimated words: 88551 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 443(@200wpm)___ 354(@250wpm)___ 295(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 88551 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 443(@200wpm)___ 354(@250wpm)___ 295(@300wpm)
Kirill looks like an accountant, all suited up and with the glasses, but the document mentioned a few things about his suspicious background and that he would stop at nothing for his agenda.
“What is that supposed to mean?” I ask with my chin held high.
“I don’t know, Mrs. Volkov. Why don’t you tell me?”
“Why don’t you fuck off?” Rai says point-blank. “I just want Sasha around, not you.”
“Aleksander,” Kirill stresses, “is my guard, Rai. We come as a set. Get used to it.”
“I’m sure the only reason he’s with you is because you’re holding something over his head.” Rai pats Aleksander’s hand. “Don’t worry, Sasha. I will save you from this demon.”
Sasha—Aleksander—a guard who’s even prettier than Yan, lowers his head, awkwardly clearing his throat.
“How about me, Rai?” Damien takes her free hand in his and kisses the back of it. “When are you going to save me? All you have to do is divorce Kyle and then we can ride into the sunset—or the battlefield. Same result.”
She swiftly pulls her hand from his. “Only Kyle gets to touch me. Do it again and I will kick you in the balls.”
I expect Damien to get offended, but he grins. “Kinky. I love it.”
“Speaking of kinky.” Kirill faces me again. He hasn’t stopped watching me since I joined them. “Has Adrian picked up anything new lately?”
“He’ll fucking kill you if he hears you talking to his wife about kink.” Damien squeezes Kirill’s shoulder. “Rest in pieces, motherfucker.”
Rai opens her mouth, probably to come to my defense. Is she used to doing that? Was Lia a doormat who let anyone walk all over her?
But I’m not Lia. I’m Winter.
Lifting my chin, I face Kirill. “That question is distasteful, Kirill. You don’t see me asking you about your private affairs, because it’s simply none of my business. I believe what my husband and I do in the privacy of our home doesn’t concern you either.”
My reply has the exact opposite effect of what I intend. Kirill smirks as if he’s in the know about something.
“Who are you and what have you done to the mute Lia?” Damien watches me closely. “You’ve never spoken up when we’ve poked you.”
“It was out of respect, but if you show me none, why should I?”
“That’s my girl.” Rai interlinks her arm with mine. “Come on, let’s leave these assholes—aside from Sasha.”
I gladly follow her, but I feel Kirill’s gaze on me, even after we disappear to a quiet balcony. I release a breath into the breeze and Rai smiles.
“You did very well. I’m so proud of you, Lia.”
“Thank you.” I try not to feel inferior now that it’s just the two of us. It’s not only about her bombshell looks or her height—tall people suck—but also her character. I know Adrian considers her a worthy member of the brotherhood, or he wouldn’t have included her in the first pages of that document.
Maybe someone like her, strong, fearless, is who Adrian needs by his side.
Rai leans in, watching her surroundings before she whispers, “You didn’t follow up on what happened. I was worried.”
“W-what?” I stare at her with parted lips.
“You asked me to help you escape, and then I learn you returned to Adrian’s side as if nothing had happened. Do you know how confused I was?”
Wait. What?
Lia asked Rai to help her escape Adrian? When the hell was that?
But I can’t ask those questions, because that will give me away as a fraud.
I clear my throat. “I couldn’t escape him.”
“But you were so hell-bent on it.”
“Jeremy,” I blurt. “I can’t leave Jeremy.”
“I understand, but you could’ve at least called or left me a hint.” Her voice lowers some more. “Adrian has been after my neck. He suspects I have something to do with your attempted escape. I told you I don’t want him as an enemy, Lia. That I was helping you because you were on the verge of a breakdown.”
Lia was on the verge of a breakdown when she wanted to leave Adrian. Rai helped her, but she…what? Did she die?
“I’m sorry,” I whisper.
“Just tell me if Adrian saw Ruslan that day.”
Ruslan is her senior guard. He’s the one who’s standing at the entrance of the balcony to ward off anyone, I assume. It’s the first time I’ve seen his face, aside from his picture in the document.
He must have helped Lia escape on Rai’s behalf, but I have no damn clue if Adrian saw him.
“I don’t remember clearly,” I say vaguely.
Rai grabs me by the shoulder. “Think, Lia. When Adrian was chasing after you that night, you escaped Ruslan. But did Adrian see him?”
“No, I don’t think so.” I’m speaking out of logic alone here, because if Ruslan helped Lia escape and Adrian had seen him, he would be dead by now.
Adrian may be calm, but he’s lethal. He wouldn’t forgive anyone who tries to take his damn precious Lia. Even Rai will be in jeopardy if he finds out about her involvement.