“No. We want to go out byourselves.”
Levka felt the crispness of her voice and knew he was walking on a thin line, but she was far from intimidating. “You know how dangerous that could be. There aren’t many bars around here that wouldn’t identify you immediately. You risk your husband’s reputation and mine.”
Luerna growled and stomped her foot. “You men and your reputation. I swear to God.”
Kira touched her sister’s shoulder. “It’s okay, Luerna. Let’s just take the car.”
“No. I’m sick of Rurik’s pigs following me everywhere. If I don’t get out, I’m gonna scream.”
Levka thought the excuse was odd. “You have been followed your whole life. You should know better than to try to escape.”
“Don’t talk to me like you know me. If I want to get out, I’m going to get out. You can either help me and keep your fucking reputation. Or I can do it myself and hope I’m successful. Wouldn’t want my husband to know how I managed to sneak out of your hands.”
Levka stepped up to her. “I am well versed in your family’s threats, Mrs.Chesky. There isn’t much left you or your husband can do to me.”
Luerna clamped her mouth shut at that point.
“Now, please, go back to your room.”
Luerna hadn’t been prepared with how he spoke to her. He was ten years younger than her, and yet, for a moment, she felt–not in charge.
Her stomach knotted, and a heat crawled up her cheeks. When Kira grabbed her arm, she blindly followed. But the movement sparked a response, and she turned back to him.
“Come on, Levka. It’s my sister’s bachelorette weekend. Don’t you want her to have fun? We can’t do that with the thugs. They keep every person at a ten-foot distance.” Still sensing his hesitation, Luerna put a hand on his shoulder, pulling him in till her lips were at his ear. It was a strategic move because it put her breasts inches from his chest. “I’m trying to get her laid before she’s stuck with the same dick for the rest of her life.”
Her passionate plea didn’t move him, nor did her ridiculous flirtation. He was almost insulted by it. She probably still believed he was a pubescent teenager, turned on by the slightest gesture. It aggravated him more than he wanted to admit. Levka stepped back, out of her reach. “I can’t let you go out on your own.”
“Then be our guide.”
For five seconds, he thought about it. Going out with her, spending even an hour with her, would do extraordinary damage. He would have new memories for the carousel in his head. New fantasies he could create to get him riled enough to fuck a stranger.
But it would also restart the same addiction.
“No.” He gestured down the hall and waited for her to move.
There was fire in her eyes, but she obeyed, walking down the hallway. Levka didn’t believe for a minute that she had given up. But this was his building. There was nowhere she could go without him knowing. He could stop her before she escaped her floor if there were any further attempts.
The soldiers were in disarray when he brought them to the door, and before it shut, Levka held a hand against it. “You risk the lives of your guards. I know they don’t mean anything to you, but try to think of someone other than yourself.” A slight guilty gaze flickered across her face before she slammed the door, making sure the lock sounded loud in the quiet hallway.
After the third failed attempt, Luerna collapsed in a chair with defeat. She didn’t know what she expected, but being denied hadn’t been one of them. She thought Levka might look at her the same way he had two years ago. Back then, it spurred desires in her that she had denied herself, still trying to be the good daughter and wife she was taught to be. But her father had lied.
There was nothing to gain living this life. And now she was ready to try something different—anything different to fix what was broken inside her.
“I don’t like what you’re doing,” Kira’s voice broke into the silence.
Luerna knit her brows. “What am I doing?”
“You’re trying to manipulate him. I should have never told you he was in love with you.”
“Was seems to be the keyword. He doesn’t care now.” Luerna sighed.
Kira glared at her. “You’re just like dad sometimes.”
“Oh, shut up. So I thought I could use him to give YOU a good time. Excuse me for caring.”
“No, don’t act like this was about me. This was about you.”
“How?”
