and Dmitry’s boy. Makes me wonder if something really is going on between you two.”
“There’s nothing between us. And you’d do well to watch what you say carefully.”
Is it that obvious? No, it can’t be. He’s full of shit. I mention Nikolas because he’s my nephew and he just lost his parents. I bring up Victoria because she’s the one looking out for him. That’s all this is.
That tiny bit of self-doubt worms its way through my thoughts. The idea of forming a connection or having feelings for Victoria immediately pisses me off. I shouldn’t be thinking of a woman when we’re at war with this vigilante, who has been suspiciously quiet for a little while now. My father would have my head for something so stupid, so foolish.
The woman’s made a fool of me, and she probably doesn’t even know it.
“So, did you tell her about the laptop you found, then?” he asks. I want to reach across the table and smack that smirk right off his face.
“I’m still figuring the situation out, actually. I’ve had enough of your interrogation, Pietrov. If you don’t have anything else business-related to talk about, fuck off.”
Still, he looks pleased with himself, like he can read my mind and tell how much his questions have gotten to me.
“That’s all,” he shrugs. He rises from his chair, and with a brief goodbye, he walks out of the door. I sit back in my chair and pinch the bridge of my nose, slowly massaging it.
He could be right about everything. I’ve been struggling with this laptop situation for days now, trying to figure out the best course of action. At least, that’s what I’m telling myself. Could the truth be that I haven’t done anything about it because I’m going soft?
It’s fucking impossible not to be attracted to the woman, but Victoria’s smart enough to know that. I wouldn’t put it past her to leverage her looks against me.
But I’m not soft. I’m distracted, and it’s grown to the point where other people can see it. It’s time to put my energy back into avenging my brother and not into what Victoria and Nikolas are doing.
I’m not going to let this woman make me weak.
13
Victoria
Three more days go by without mention of the laptop, and I don’t know how to feel about the situation anymore.
Maybe he’s forgotten about it. Maybe he just assumed that there was some kind of mix-up and the laptop must’ve been taken to be cleaned or something. Yeah, that might be it. A maid came in to dust it off or maybe spilled a little water on it by accident, carried it out of the room to tidy up, and couldn’t get back in, so she left it for him right outside his door.
But he doesn’t seem like the type to be very merciful. If someone was in his office, wouldn’t he be pissed at them? Wouldn’t he want their head on a platter for touching the computer he uses for all his work?
I can imagine him hurting one of the maids and it makes my stomach twist in guilt. I can’t let that happen. It’s not right to let one of those innocent women be punished for something that I did. I involved Nikolas when I shouldn’t have, and I should be the one paying the price.
At least, if he brings it up. Thankfully, I’m still in the clear.
After a quick shower, I try to calm myself down by changing into my pajamas and lying in bed. It feels nice to relax after everything that I had to do today. Sleep is going to feel so good; I can already tell.
When I put my head down on my pillow, instead of counting sheep, my mind flashes back to the look of hunger in Matvei’s eyes down in the kitchen earlier in the week. It wasn’t the same apathy that he’s aimed at me every other day.
He stared at me like I had something he wanted.
Like I was something he wanted.
Am I fucked in the head? Am I seriously lying in bed imagining this mob boss wanting me? Pursuing me? Claiming me as his and his alone? I should be terrified of him. I should remind myself that he’s the one that kidnapped me, that made countless threats to me and my father.
But I can’t stop thinking about what he would look like stripping out of that suit, approaching me with those dark, dangerous eyes. Only, this time he wouldn’t be