Page 59 of Claimed By the Pakhan

“But it’s all a lie.”

“Then perhaps I can inspire them to be better,” says Emil, winking. “Come on, let's go inside and get drunk on sparkling water.”

I hitch up my skirts, walking up the stairs, which are teeming with people. Women wear incredible gowns, all turning Emil’s way when he walks past. He gives them zero attention, not evenacknowledging their presence. I find that strange, considering most men are born with a wandering eye.

Emil seems to be the exception, his eyes only for me.

I was never meant to be in this world. These women could wear trash bags as dresses and still look incredible. Their cheeks are lifted, their almond eyes sparking with intention, like they know what they want. They were born into this life. They know how to act, when to speak and when to remain silent, practiced in all of the niche social cues I probably never got the hang of, even before the amnesia.

I stuff olives into my mouth while everyone else integrates, socializing in a cordial manner around the room.

Emil hands me a glass of sparking water.

“Thanks,” I say, taking a sip to wash down the salty olive taste. “I could use something sweet now,” I say, craning my head to glance at the buffet. “A slice of chocolate cake maybe.”

Emil sniffs a laugh, his face full of amusement. “This is exactly why I love you.”

My heart jumps, my mouth gaping open. I knew he loved me, but hearing the words spoken is an entirely different story. I need red wine, perhaps a shot of tequila. There’s no way I can get through tonight sober, dealing with all these mixed emotions.

“Relax,” says Emil. “You’re looking at me like I said I wanted to murder you.”

“Is there a difference?”

I sip the sparkling water, pretending it’s wine, and discard the glass on an empty serving tray when the waiter comes back around.

“These people don’t care about manners,” says Emil.

“Perhaps not, but I do. It’s called common human decency,” I say. “You should try it sometime.”

“Being nice gets you killed.”

“To the wrong people. Leave these hardworking waiters out of your shit.”

“Everyone has secrets in this city, including you.”

My heart booms in my chest like a drum, causing the stone walls to close in. One look from Emil is powerful enough to silence the entire world. The sound of laughter, clinking glasses and jazz melodies fades away, replaced by my own beating heart.

Silence rings through my ears. I peer over Emil’s shoulder, staring at members of the public, laughing, speaking, but all I hear is that goddamn ringing as Emil steps forward.

“I’m not keeping secrets… as far as I’m aware.”

“Not now, but you knew something before, which is why you were hit by that car.”

My eyes flare wide, the clinking glasses and laughter slowly filtering back into my ears. “You think I was hit deliberately?”

Concern lines Emil’s brow as he takes another sip of sparking water. “Don’t you?”

I think back to what Luka said the other night in my room, something about the person in the driver’s seat being a man, butI’m clutching at straws. There’s a fifty-fifty chance, and I refuse to open my mouth and cause unnecessary stress for Emil when he already has enough on his plate.

“I guess I haven’t really thought about it.”

“What could I have known?”

“Too much,” says Emil, those lines deepening between his brows. “And someone wanted you dead because of it.” Emil glances over his shoulder, observing the crowds behind us, flicking his eyes between different people, evaluating their smiles, the way they laugh.

“I have no idea who Alexander could be working with,” says Emil. “He could have outside leverage as well as inside. You can never be sure who is wearing a mask and who is genuine. But you cracked the code before the accident.”

“So, let me out of your house so I can crack it again. Staring at the same four walls everyday won’t get me closer to answers.”