Total pages in book: 70
Estimated words: 68192 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 341(@200wpm)___ 273(@250wpm)___ 227(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 68192 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 341(@200wpm)___ 273(@250wpm)___ 227(@300wpm)
Even in the dim light, I recognized Dimitri’s brother, Matvei.
He glared at me, ignoring the woman as she slipped behind him and headed for the stairs. “What are you doing up here?”
I glanced toward the woman as she disappeared. “Same thing as you are, apparently.”
He snarled. “This is my brother’s house.”
“Would your companion’s husband be interested in how you’re using your brother’s house?”
Matvei reached for me, and I stepped out of his reach. “Think really hard about what you’re doing before you put your hands on me. There will be consequences.”
He dropped his arms to his sides.
“That’s better. Now. I will pretend I didn’t see you here, and you’ll do the same.”
“Watch your back.”
I gave him my evilest smile. “You do the same.”
I waited until he’d retreated down the stairs to continue my search for Nikolai.
When I reached the third door, I tried the knob, but it was locked. Fortunately, that wasn’t an issue for me. I slipped a lock pick from my jacket—never left home without them. In seconds, the lock released, and the knob turned. If Dimitri wanted to keep his son safe, he needed better locks and maybe a guard or two, not that any of those would have kept me out, but it would work for most of the scum he associated with.
3
NIKOLAI
Idropped my book when I heard the doorknob rattle. I hadn’t actually been reading. I’d been staring at the same page for ages, unable to stop thinking about Lorenzo and the way he’d looked at me when he’d congratulated me on my sham of a marriage.
And then later, when he’d stared at me out of the library window. Had he known I’d gone to walk in the rose garden? Had he chosen that room just so he could watch me? The way he’d looked at me made me think he knew how I reacted to his presence. My whole body felt like it was on fire when he looked at me. He acted like he wanted to devour me. I should be terrified. Instead, I wanted to offer myself at his feet. He’d worn a dark gray suit. The jacket stretched across his shoulders, and the pants clung to his muscular thighs. The way his nearly black hair curled over his collar and the tattoos on his hands contrasted perfectly with the formal attire and made him look as dangerous as he was.
What would happen if I sneaked out of my room and found him? What would he do if I told him I’d fantasized about him since the first time we met?
The knob shook again. Who was at my door? No one besides my father was likely to look for me, and he knew where I was since he was the one who’d locked me in and told me I’d regret it if I left this room before dawn. If he’d forgotten his key, he would just pound on it or yell for me to open it. No one else should be here.
The knob continued to move. Whoever was out there was determined to get in. I heard scraping sounds. Were they trying to pick the lock? I grabbed the heavy brass candlestick from my bedside table and moved closer to the door. I held it over my shoulder, ready to swing on whoever entered.
My father had warned me to stay away from all of his guests. He’d implied that some of them would do anything to prevent my marriage to Alina, but then, so would I. I didn’t dislike her. If I had to marry a woman, she might be my first pick. I actually admired the hell out of her for trying to stand up to her father. She was stuck marrying me when we both knew I would actually be her father’s toy, and my father might expect the same services from her. I’d be expected to get her pregnant, but after that, we might not even see each other. I’d be in Ivanov’s bed or wherever he kept the young men he fucked.
I wanted one of my father’s associates to prevent it, but considering the company my father kept, whoever was trying to get in could be even worse than my future father-in-law.
The lock clicked open. I readied myself. I might be small, but I could do this. I could defend myself. I had a feeling I was going to need the few fighting skills I’d learned even more once I was married.
The door opened slowly. I jumped out at the intruder, but he caught my arm before I could bring the candlestick down on his head. When I looked up at him, I sucked in my breath in shock.
“Drop it,” Lorenzo demanded.
When I didn’t obey, he squeezed my arm tighter.
“Drop the candlestick. Nikolai. I’m not here to hurt you.”