Maybe there was more to him than his cruelty; maybe—just maybe—he wasn’t beyond saving. That thought alone scared the bunkers out of me, threatening to destroy the high walls I’d built around myself.
Chapter 18 – Roman
I thought twice before asking her to come with me to this event at an upscale restaurant downtown. A part of me was worried Sokolov would make a move on her if we stepped out together.
But what’s to say he wouldn’t go after her in my absence? I didn’t trust anyone to keep her safe, not even my guards. She was safer around me because that way I’d always keep an eye on her at all times.
My insecurities weren’t the only reason I decided she should tag along. I wanted to show her off again so everyone would know who she belonged to. The last time I took her out, heads turned in admiration of her beauty.
Deep down, I wanted to see her all dressed up for me—gorgeous and sexy. I craved the excitement she stirred in me the last time and was hoping to feast my eyes on the magnificent sight of her body in a gown.
She didn’t refuse when I asked her to come with me, even though I was already expecting some form of resistance. However, Scarlett surprised me when she agreed to follow me without asking where I was taking her.
The grand hall was lit with the warm glow of expensive chandeliers hanging above. Guests, dressed to impress, hung around in small groups, chatting and laughing, their voices calm and gentle.
A live band was performing classical music in a corner, the lead singer’s voice filling the space. Her black beaded dress glistened in the soft light, her gloved hands moving theatrically as she sang.
I stood by the chocolate fountain, cradling a glass of wine in my hand, my black suit gleaming under the chandelier’s warmglow. Scarlett, stunning as ever, was by my side, her cream-colored gown highlighting her curves and contours.
She stood poised, elegantly balanced on a pair of heels, her signature perfume filling the air around her. Her hazel eyes sparkled with something I couldn’t quite name as she smiled at those admirers beaming from a distance.
Scarlett had barely spoken a word to me since we arrived at the hall, and I wasn’t sure if her silence was born from fear or something else. I sensed that she had a thousand questions that needed answers, but I figured she didn’t know how to ask them.
In the same way, I was struggling with what to say to fill the awkward silence between us. I wanted to start a conversation about anything, but the right words eluded me. My brain was blank, and nothing meaningful came to mind.
I lifted my glass to my lips as my eyes trailed over her, drinking in the sight of her body. Perhaps I should begin by telling her just how stunning she looked tonight. I heard that women loved those kinds of talks, so maybe she would respond well to that.
The only problem was that I couldn’t find the right words at the moment, which was strange because this had never happened to me before. Not even once. I wasn’t the type to second-guess myself about anything. Yet, here I was, unable to decide what was worth saying and what wasn’t.
When she looked at me and held my gaze, my stone-cold heart softened. There was something about the way she stared at me that ignited a familiar flame within me.
“I had a chat with your sister the other day,” she said, finally breaking the deafening silence.
“Did you now?” I asked, indulging her, my eyes boring into hers.
She curled her lips into a small smile. “Yeah, she’s a real charmer. Unlikesomepeople in the family.”
My brows rose in disbelief, a faint grin tugging at the corners of my mouth. “Some people?” I asked. “Like who?”
She gestured, zipping her lips with a soft expression etched on her face.
My God, she was gorgeous!
I sipped from my glass. “What’d you guys talk about?”
She shrugged her shoulders. “Just a bunch of random stuff. Nothing serious.”
“Hmm.”
She held my gaze a while longer, her lips pursed as though she was about to say something. Perhaps she wanted to ask one of the questions running through her mind.
Scarlett looked right into my eyes like she was searching for something, her gaze soft and endearing. Her lips parted; however, before she could speak, we got interrupted.
“Boss.” Sergei materialized beside me.
My face contorted into a frown, displeased by his bad timing. He leaned in and whispered in my ear that one of our high-profile clients wanted to see me. I glanced across the hall and spotted them standing in a small group of three.
These were the Bratva’s most valuable allies in the business; keeping them waiting was not a good idea.
