Page 49 of Prey of the Bratva

The door opened then, and Diane stepped in first, pausing as her gaze fell on us. Behind her, Viktor followed and stopped just as abruptly. The silence in the laundry closet was heavy and immediate and absolutely unmistakable. I was still pressed against Kliment, his hand still at my waist and my fingers still gripping the front of his shirt for support.

There was no plausible deniability. None. Even though I knew that everyone had already guessed about Kliment and me by now, I turned scarlet at being caught this way. I couldn’t have imagined something like this happening for the life of me. Diane blinked once, clearly trying to understand what was happening but appearing increasingly shocked as she registered the scene.

Then, with impressive composure, she said, “We’ll come back. You two should… should—”

“No,” I said immediately, cutting her off and straightening. I stepped away from Kliment, quickly fixing my clothes before anyone could see any more than they already had seen, and the situation could become any worse. “Don’t. We were just talking. Discussing strategy.”

What the hell, Misha?

I knew there was no point in denying it anymore or trying to find excuses. Even though we had never been caught before, everyone had noticed our shared glances and the subtle grazing of fingertips over maps in the main room. My feelings for Kliment were on my face, and he was doing nothing toconceal his desire either. Viktor turned his head slightly, staring very intently at a shelf full of folded towels like it had personally offended him. He was refusing to even look at us.

“I saw nothing, boss. I promise,” he muttered.

“You definitely saw something,” Diane replied calmly, beginning to look just as amused as Kliment. She was clearly enjoying my discomfort.

“I will forget it immediately,” Viktor replied. The poor man appeared to be even more embarrassed than I was.

“Please do,” I said.

Kliment, meanwhile, had the audacity to look completely unbothered. Of course he did.

Diane shifted her attention back to me, expression perfectly neutral. “So are the two of you planning to come outside. We have something.”

That was enough to snap everything back into place.

I nodded once. “Give us a minute.”

They both stepped out without another word, and the door closed behind them.

I turned to Kliment slowly. “All of this is your fault.”

“That’s not true.”

“You started it by bringing me here.”

“You followed me here yourself, my love.”

I stared at him and noticed how he didn’t even try to look apologetic.

“You are unbelievable,” I muttered, running a hand through my hair.

He stepped closer again, slower this time, his gaze steady on mine. “You’re smiling.”

“I am not.”

“Yes, you are.”

I exhaled, shaking my head slightly. “We have work to do.

“Mm.”

He didn’t argue, but just as I turned around to leave, he pulled me towards him. I clung to his chest, staring at his eyes as I did so.

“Misha,” he whispered, my name like a prayer.

“What?” I asked, all thoughts exiting my mind except his gaze on me.

“You should know that I am not ashamed of everyone knowing about the two of us. I have never felt about anyone the way I feel about you, and I am not scared of anyone finding out. I am proud to have you this close to me, so I don’t care who knows and who doesn’t. Do you understand?”