“Real magic?”
He shrugs. “I think so. She’s psychic—a very talented one. She sees the future and uses it to help people change theirs.”
“Did you inherit her gifts?” I ask.
“I’m not psychic. Sometimes I wish I were, but most of the time, I’m glad I didn’t inherit that gift. My half-sisters have inherited from her. They aren’t psychic like she is, but they have similar gifts that they’re building businesses around. My mother can also read people. I believe my twin brother and I have both inherited that quality.”
“Growing up with a psychic must have made getting into trouble more difficult,” I tease. I realize I’ve touched a nerve when his jaw tightens, and sadness flashes in his eyes. “I’m sorry.”
He strokes my hand that is still in the crook of his arm. “No, don’t be sorry. You couldn’t have known. I didn’t meet my mother until recently. My father, who was a complete bastard, kidnapped me when I was a baby. He took me out of the hospital and kept me away from my mother. We’ve only recently connected, and I plan on returning to New Orleans and spending more time with her.”
Compassion for the little boy who grew up without a mother has me shifting on my toes. I place a hand on his face and pressmy lips softly to his. Desire floods through me as he places his palm behind my head so he can deepen the kiss. He takes control and plunders my mouth as if he’s starved for me. Too soon, he pulls back and releases me. I touch my fingers to my lips as they tingle with the kiss. I glance up to see desire transform to regret. My heart cracks when he turns and walks away.
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE: VLADIMIR
That kiss.
Ending the kiss and pulling away from Anya was the hardest thing I’ve ever done. My heart screams at me for walking away. Her taste is intoxicating. I see the same awe and desire reflected in her eyes. But I can’t let this happen. Balling my hands so I don’t reach out to touch her, I turn and step away, leaving her in the courtyard like the coward I am. I need to find Dominic and get the hell out of here before I ruin everything.
“What the hell has you so pissed off?” Dominic asks.
“We need to get out of here,” I mutter, walking toward the door.
Dominic remains silent until we’re in the car. “Want to tell me what happened?” He waits for several beats, but when I don’t respond, he continues. “Is this about Anya?”
I snap my head in his direction and glare at him. Dominic has the gall to lift his hands in surrender while laughing at me. “What happened?”
“I kissed her,” I mutter, leaning my head back and closing my eyes. However, visions of Anya flood my mind, so I snap my eyes open.
“So, what’s wrong? Was it a bad kiss?”
I shoot him a dark look, but he doesn’t cower, of course. He just smirks at me. “Fuck you,” I mutter.
“I don’t understand why you’re so upset. Anya is a beautiful woman. I can understand why you’re attracted to her.”
“I can’t be attracted to her. That’s not why we’re here. We have to convince Alexi to take back his throne. Once he’s in charge of the Bratva, he can help us dismantle the human trafficking scheme. If he thought I was taking advantage of his sister, he would never trust us.”
“Are you sure? Alexi strikes me as someone who would want his sister to be happy. He’d want her to be with someone she cares about and who cares about her. I’ve seen how she looks at you. She’s attracted to you. You’re attracted to her. I don’t understand the problem.”
Shaking my head, I heave out a sigh. “It can’t happen, so knock it off. Did you learn anything?”
Dominic nods his head. “I did. While you were seducing Anya, I studied all three of the men that Alexandr is considering, and I have to say they’re all losers. Oleg and Pavel are assholes who will hit on anything in a dress. I think they’re competing to see who can bag the most women. Although neither of them seems to like women very much.”
“They’re gay?” I ask, confused.
“No, they’re not gay. They’re just assholes and misogynists. They think women exist for their enjoyment. Neither has any interest in the woman, only the conquest.”
“Yeah, I got the same feeling when I was talking to Pavel. He was too wrapped up in his opinions to acknowledge Anya’s accomplishments. He treated Anya like she was the audience to his one-person show. What about Artem? Did you get anything more on him?”
“I did. I watched all three men interact with the waitstaff and the other guests. Watching Oleg and Pavel checking out the girls made it obvious that Artem doesn’t lean that way. He was busy watching the men. I think he’s gay.”
“Seriously?” I ask, surprised. “Do you think that’s common knowledge?”
“No. Artem puts on a show. Oleg and Pavel are too self-involved to notice Artem’s actions. They include him in their shit-talking. Artem feigns interest, but once they turn away from him, he’s back to checking out the men. It was interesting to watch. I wasn’t the only one watching him.”
I wait for him to continue.
“Artem’s father was watching him, too. I think he suspects that his son is gay.”
