Elena lets out a little huff and rolls her eyes. “Great plan. There’s only one problem with it … I hate you.”
Both irritation and arousal tangle inside me at her smart-ass remark. That mouth of hers might be my current favorite thing. So fucking saucy and pouty … begging to be silenced with the thrust of my hard dick.
I bring a hand down on her thigh and squeeze, holding her gaze as I lean close. She smells delicious, like berries and perfume and whatever her hair was washed with.
“I’m not too fond of you either, gatita. But from the second we step out of this car, we are going to act like we adore each other. We’re going to eye-fuck from across the table and hold hands and act like a couple of stupid teenagers. Do you know what will happen if we don’t?”
Elena swallows and lowers her eyes, but she doesn’t reply.
“What happens, Elena?” I repeat, tightening my hold on her thigh.
Her breath is racing, and she’s trembling at my fingertips. “You’ll kill me?”
I ease my grip and stroke up her thigh, my fingertips slipping under the hem of her dress. I can’t help myself. She’s so soft and yielding. So utterly and completely mine to do whatever I want with. The feeling is intoxicating.
“Remember, it benefits you to make yourself useful for me. Right now, your use is posing as my very serious girlfriend. Got it?”
“Yes,” she whispers.
“Good girl,” I murmur, releasing her thigh.
We spend the rest of the ride in silence, but the tight thread of tension between us remains. I figure it will present itself as sexual tension to the Yezhovs, so I don’t worry over it. We need every advantage we can get.
When we arrive, Jovan opens the door on my side of the car. I step out, then offer Elena my hand.
Oleg owns the penthouse in one of the most exclusive buildings in the city, a towering monstrosity with blacked-out windows that sparkle in the city lights. My men follow me into the lobby, and they wait their turn to use the elevator. Elena, Jovan, and Marcella take the first trip with me.
I watch Elena’s reflection in the gleaming silver doors. She looks untouchable, her eyes shuttered and her chin high. Composure shows through her every pore.
Just before the doors slide open, I take her hand and lace my fingers through them. “Remember to smile.”
She clutches my hand back, and I notice it’s shaking. She’s not as composed as she appears.
We’re greeted by Oleg’s wife, Galina, as well as a handful of staff. She’s a lovely woman who defies age—her figure still trim after having three daughters and two sons. I suspect she dyes her hair to hide gray strands, but the platinum shade goes well with her pale complexion and cool blue eyes.
“Diego!” she exclaims, her accent as thick as her husband’s. “It’s so good to see you again, dorogoy. And your beautiful sister. Marcella, you get prettier every time I see you.”
Marcella smiles while Galina kisses me three times on the cheek before moving on to her. Then, Galina looks Jovan over with a wide, flirtatious grin.
“Jovan, you devil! When are you going to let me arrange a date with one of my daughters? You know how badly I want you for my son-in-law!”
Jovan returns her grin and takes both her hands. “Now, Galina, you know I’m not good enough for any of your girls. It’s unfortunate, but true.”
“Reformed bad boys make the very best husbands, and I would know that better than anyone.” Galina’s eyes narrow as she finally notices Elena, standing a step behind me. “Oh! Who is this?”
I brace a hand at the small of Elena’s back and guide her forward. “Galina, this is my Elena. I’m sorry for not sending word that I was bringing her, but I just can’t stand to go anywhere without her. Elena, this is Galina Yezhov, our hostess.”
Elena falls right into her role, leaning into my side and resting a hand on my chest. She gives Galina a winning smile and lowers her eyelashes as if shy. “I hope it isn’t an imposition.”
Galina’s face brightens, but I can tell it’s forced. Inside, she’s spinning her wheels trying to figure out what’s going on. “Of course it isn’t. Welcome to our home, Elena. Come with me. Dinner is almost ready.”
She guides us into the penthouse as the elevator opens to pour more of my men into the entryway.