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It’s my turn to go pale. I can’t believe his rudeness.

“Sure. Of course.” Jeremy backs away with panicked eyes, not saying another word.

Lev turns back to me and looks me up and down. “Are you alright, printsessa?”

I glare back at him. What a thing to ask me. Am I alright?

Really?

“What are you doing here?” I ask instead.

“Hello to you, too, wife.” He grins, unleashing those deadly dimples. I hate the way my stomach swoops and the memory that drifts into my mind of him giving me that same smile after he made me come.

“You’ve never been here before,” I blurt, forcing the memory down.

“And what a good thing I came by. His eyes were all over you.”

“Jeremy is my friend,” I protest, although I’m fairly certain Lev is right.

“He was your friend.”

“I lost my footing on the ladder, and he caught me. He was being nice.”

“That fucker was looking for any excuse to touch you. That won’t happen again.”

“You’re being ridiculous,” I scoff.

A burst of laughter ripples beside me. I almost forgot Anushka was here.

“You know, I knew you two would be just like this.” She wags her finger and looks from Lev to me.

It dawns on me then, that this is the first time she’s seen us together.

“Anushka, don’t test me today,” Lev chides.

“You were born testy, cousin.” Anushka chuckles. “I’m just pointing out the obvious.”

I’m honestly surprised by her carefree manner with him. No one else talks to him in such a way. It makes me think he makes exceptions for her. Another surprise.

“Anyway, Gabrielle and I are going to dinner,” Anushka continues.

Lev shakes his head. “You’ll have to do that some other time. My wife and I have some things we need to take care of.”

“What do we have to take care of?” I cut in, my blood suddenly spiking. As far as I’m concerned, there should be nothing left to take care of.

Lev places a finger beneath my chin and lifts it. “We’re still dealing with those consequences of yours.”

I go completely still.

Damn it. It’s not over yet.

I can see it in his eyes. He has more in store for me.

I foolishly thought that his absence over the last few days meant his little game was over. I was wrong again.

It’s not even like I can argue. I was the one who picked up the gun.

“We’ll do lunch tomorrow.” Anushka smiles.