Opening the wardrobe, I find the white box immediately. Inside is a stunning black floor-length dress. Halterneck. Subtle diamonds stitched into the fabric that catch the light when I move. The bottom flows freely with a slit running all the way up to the top of my thigh.
Beneath it is a pair of killer heels.
I grab my phone. Whatever he’s doing today feels serious. Important. So I don’t call.
I text.
Me: I’ll see you at 8 p.m. Be safe today, moy zashchitnik.
His reply comes almost instantly.
Drago: I told you, I’ll move the earth to make it home to you.
I’m still daydreaming about tonight as I push open the doors to the gallery with Charlotte behind me.
Roxy lets out an excited scream and launches herself at me, wrapping her arms around my waist. “Lily!”
I laugh, hugging her back before she finally pulls away.
“Have you been bored here on your own?” I tease.
She nods, giving me those sad puppy dog eyes—then her gaze flicks past me to my new shadow.
“Oh, this is Charlotte,” I tell her.
Charlotte steps forward with an easy smile and offers her hand. Roxy shakes it, grinning.
“You’re prettier than the last bodyguard,” Roxy jokes.
Charlotte laughs. “Prettier than a beast, just as deadly.”
I bite the inside of my cheek.
Drago is beautiful. Dangerous in a way you canfeel.
But Roxy isn’t wrong. Charlotte is stunning, too. The kind of woman people underestimate just because she looks polished and sweet.
Roxy’s eyes widen.
Sometimes I forget that not everyone lives in this world. As much as I’ve told Roxy the truth, I’ve still tried to shelter her from it. I can’t have her resigning on me. Not now. Not when I need her more than ever.
“It’s crazy you even need bodyguards,” she says cautiously. “Like… is someone trying to kill you?”
I glance at Charlotte.
She gives me the smallest shake of her head—don’t scare her.
“No, Roxy,” Charlotte says smoothly. “Don’t worry. It’s just precautions when other things are going on. Lily is safe. So are you.”
Roxy nods slowly, reassured. Then she darts to her desk and snatches a black bag, hurrying back to shove it into my hands.
“This is the sweater you ordered, for umm…”
“Oh yeah,” I giggle, pulling it out just enough to sneak a quick look.
My stomach flips.
I can’t wait to give this to him.
