Wanting her is deadly.
But wanting her like this feels like a sin I’ll never be forgiven for.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
Lily
I place the bacon and eggs down in front of my dad. I leave Drago’s plate on the kitchen counter. Ever since the near office incident two days ago, he’s been colder. Not distant in a subtle way, like he’s wedged a wall between us and dared me to try and climb it.
Strictly professional. Not even a half grin. Nothing.
I sit opposite my father and push my eggs around my plate, my appetite long gone.
“Are you okay?” he asks.
I look up and sigh. “Yeah. This is just… a lot.”
“It’s not forever, I promise.” He offers me a smile, but it doesn’t help. It’s not as if I can ask him why Drago won’t come near me. Or why that hurts more than it should.
“I’ve never really felt like I have a place in the world, Dad. That’s not a new thing.” I try to laugh it off, but his jaw tightens.
“You’ll find it. I know it. Maybe it’s in Monaco.” He takes a sip of his coffee.
“Maybe.”
The door slams, and I jump, the sound cracking through the room, as heavy footsteps follow. I don’t bother turning.
“Lev. We need to go,” Drago barks.
My dad is on his feet instantly, reaching for his gun. Before he leaves, he presses a kiss to the top of my head. Part of me is happy I have my dad in my life, the other part is still seriously pissed off it’s taken this long.
I turn to look at Drago, regret etched into every sharp line of his face.
“So, I’m trusted to be here on my own?”
He pins me with a glare. “Decadence is gated. No one comes in or out without us knowing. My home is locked down. Monitors everywhere. You’re trusted.”
I nod, keeping my mouth shut. “Cool. I’ll head over to Hallie’s then.”
My dad is already out the front door when goosebumps ripple across my skin. The second the door slams shut, Drago moves closer, stopping at the table, both hands flattening against the surface opposite me.
“What’s the attitude for?” he asks.
“Don’t have one.” I keep my eyes fixed on my plate, even though my pulse is hammering.
“Don’t lie to me, lastochka. Tell me.”
My God. The way he drawls out my nickname in his Russian accent makes me squeeze my thighs.
I tip my chin up in defiance. “Trust me, Drago. You don’t want to know what I’m thinking,” I say, a grin tugging at my lips.
“Yeah. Same here.” His jaw ticks.
And now… I’m thinking about him tearing his shirt off and dragging me across the table.
We enter a stare off with neither of us backing away, until he clears his throat.
“Hallie knows the grounds here well. She can drive here to visit you. Until you’re comfortable with the routes, you stay here.”
