got away. If you’re not the vigilante, then both of your legs should be fine. So, show me.”
Irritated with me, Chris reaches for his pants and lifts both legs up, turning so I can see them. I can’t argue with facts. His skin is flawless, not a bullet hole in sight. I don’t know whether I’m more relieved or annoyed. Chris is marked off my list, but that makes the list smaller and I still have no idea who could be behind this.
“I told you,” he says, shaking his head and dropping the fabric of his pants. “I don’t have anything to do with the guy causing all this trouble. I just need some money, and it kind of looks like the vigilante is targeting you and your family. I’d be useful.”
I hate to admit it, but he’s made another good point. Out of all the doctors I kept in my pocket, Chris was the most talented. It also didn’t hurt that his judge father could keep us out of trouble if things ever got sticky.
“I’ll think about it,” I say, sighing deeply. “Keep your phone on you. I’ll call if I need your help with something.”
Chris smiles. “Sounds good.”
“Now, get the hell out of my house.”
I watch him turn and leave. When I’m alone, all I can do is shake my head. I’m tempted to book a vacation and get the hell out of this place. Between Chris, the Albanians, and the Justice Killer, I need to disappear and just breathe.
Unfortunately, there’s a knock on the door and I know that I won’t be taking that vacation anytime soon. “Yes?”
Victoria enters. “I’m just calling to remind you about tomorrow.”
I rack my brain for a moment. “What’s tomorrow?”
“Nikolas is having that parents’ night tomorrow at his school, and you said that you would be attending with him.”
“Parents’ night. Damn.” I can’t believe I forgot that. I vaguely remember agreeing to go, mostly to make Niko happy, but now I’m not sure if I can make it. With everything going on right now, it doesn’t seem like a good idea. “I don’t know if I can go.”
“You made a promise,” she replies icily. “You told Nikolas that you would go with him. He’s excited to show you off to all his friends.”
Guilt hits me hard—an emotion I’m not used to, nor one that I like all that much. On one hand, I shouldn’t feel guilty because I’m putting the family business first to make sure Nikolas’ future is secure, but on the other, I did make a promise.
“I’ll go with you,” Victoria offers. “I wanted to go anyway, but I didn’t want to intrude. It’s for families, not kids and their nannies.”
It’s moments like these when I realize just how good of a person Victoria is. Amidst all of the shit she’s been through with her father and the situation he’s gotten her into, she’s treating parents’ night with respect.
I think for a moment, then rise from my desk. I take a few steps towards her and reach out a hand. “Come with me, then.”
“Okay.” She steps into my hold, and before I know what I’m doing, I press my lips to hers, stealing a passionate kiss. I cup her face in my hands and don’t let her get more than a few inches away from me.
I don’t know what it is about this woman, but her lips drive me wild, and I want to feel them in places they haven’t been yet. Only, I have to behave. Now’s not the time for these kinds of thoughts. Not with business still to be done.
Victoria surprises me by pulling away.
“What’s wrong?” I ask, dropping my hands.
“It’s nothing, it’s just …” She crosses her arms over her chest again, biting at her bottom lip anxiously. “I don’t get you, Matvei.”
“Get me how?”
“You’re so confusing. One minute you’re calling me a whore, and the next you’re sleeping with me. You say you don’t care about anyone and that you’re a monster, but then when we’re alone, you’re tender. You treat Niko like he’s your own son, even when he’s not. I just don’t understand you, and I’m trying to.”
For the briefest of seconds, I consider coming clean to her. Telling her how badly I’m obsessed with her. With the smell of her hair, the curve of her hip, the way she moans when I lick between her thighs.
Then I remember who I am.
What happens when I make mistakes.
And I remember who she is, too: