Beautiful Revenge (A Good Wife #1) - Sienna Blake Page 0,26
blinded with rage even after five years. Something snaps in me. “You stupid man. You’re so full of bitterness, you wouldn’t hear me if I tried to explain.”
He snorts. “You’re the stupid one. If only you had stuck with me, Alena. If only you just had faith. I could have given you all of this and more.” He strides to the door and holds it open for me, cutting through our conversation. “Thank you for showing me to my room, Mrs Worthington.” We’re back to formalities again.
I straighten, pride lifting my chin.
“I hope you enjoy your short stay, Mr Wolf,” I say as I sweep past him.
“I’m sure I will.”
20
____________
Alena
The door slams behind me. I make it two steps before I sag against the wall, fury bleeding out of me.
What the hell just happened?
This is Dimitri. He appeared after all this time and… I shouldn’t have gotten so furious at him. But he was being so cold it was like chips of ice splintering into my skin.
I should go back and—
No. I will not bend before him. I will not beg for him.
His pride will not let him listen. Not yet. He just needs a few days here near me for him to soften. I know Dimitri. He could never stay angry at me. I just have to bear his anger, and wait.
I flinch as I take in the figure of the man who has just stepped into the corridor from the staircase, blocking my exit. Terrance’s beady grey eyes lock on mine as he strides towards me. I straighten and school my features into what I hope is a semblance of calm.
“Alena, are you still feeling weak from your miscarriage?” His voice is pretty with concern. I know it’s fake.
Mrs Bates must have told him. Or my husband. I force a smile. “I’m fine, thank you.”
“Your third one in a number of years. I wonder what you’re doing wrong.”
I brush off the barb. “Can I help you?”
His lip pinches. I know he’s annoyed that I didn’t bite at his veiled insult. “Is our guest settled?”
“Yes, of course.”
He stops right before me, blocking my path. I realise too late that suspicion clouds his eyes. “And how do you know Mr Wolf?”
I try not to flinch. “I don’t. I just met him today.”
“Really?” His voice doesn’t sound convinced at all. “Funny, you looked at him as if you recognised him.”
“How strange. Perhaps he looks like someone I used to know.” I brush off his interrogation. “Excuse me. I need to see about the other guest room.”
He pushes me against the wall, blocking me with his body, his nearness making the bile rise into my throat. “Sweet, sweet Alena,” his voice weasels into my ear. “You’ll tell me the truth now, won’t you?”
I push against him. He won’t move. “Get away from me,” I demand, trying to keep the fear out of my voice.
“What’s going on here?” a stern voice demands. Dimitri’s voice washes over me. I sag with relief.
Terrance lets go of me and steps away. I turn and see my saviour standing just outside his doorway, his face like thunder.
“Mr Wolf,” Terrance says, a smarmy smile on his face. He shakes the greasy hair out of his face. “I was just coming up to see how you were settling in.”
“It looks like you were harassing Mrs Worthington.”
Terrance lets out an awkward laugh. “Of course not.”
Dimitri doesn’t look convinced at all. He strides up to us, his dominating presence taking up most of the corridor. Terrance seems to withdraw into himself. I want to fling myself into Dimitri’s arms—see, you do still care—but I restrain myself. “There is a special place in hell for men who force themselves on unwilling women.”
“I wasn’t—”
“Off you go, Alena.” Dimitri’s eyes burn into mine, demanding no argument. Power radiates off him, thick and coiled aggression. It makes my knees weak. I give him a nod, my breath coming out in short bursts.
I can feel Terrance scowling at me. There’s nothing he can do. I turn and hurry away.
“Where are my suitcases?” I hear Dimitri demand at Terrance behind me.
“Well, I—”
“Go and bring them to me.”
“But…” Terrance splutters. “I’m not a footman.”
“I don’t damn well care. Go. Now!”
A thunder of footsteps comes up behind me. I press aside against the closest wall as Terrence flies past me like the devil is on his heels. I stifle a giggle. Then stiffen when I sense eyes on my back, hot like the sun.