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I can practically see Liam standing there in his office, a hand fisting his honey-blonde hair as he looks out the window. He’s always been protective of me, even before we ever started dating, back when we were just friends. I’m sure if I’d asked him to join me in confronting my past, he would have come with me in a heartbeat.
I squeeze my eyes shut. “I know. I couldn’t ask that of you.”
Literally. My grandmother would kill me if I told an outsider about our ties to the Russian mafia.
Liam sighs through the receiver. “Are you alone? Traveling can be dangerous if you’re not careful. Why don’t I meet up with you? How far away are you?”
Ezra’s midnight eyes pierce into mine like daggers.
“I’m— I’m sorry, I have to go!”
“Valentina?”
The arm around my waist suddenly cinches tighter. “Tell him you love him,” Mikhail murmurs in my ear. “Unless he’s not your boyfriend, after all.”
Shit. I must not have been convincing enough.
“I’ll be home soon,” I say, rushing through the words. “Bye!” I jab my finger on the end call button as fast as possible.
“You didn’t tell him you love him,” Mikhail sighs, almost like he’s...pouting? Is he upset that I didn’t confess my undying love for Liam over the phone?
“It is good she did not tell him. It would have been a lie.” Ezra frowns at my phone before pocketing it. “He does not have tracker on you, does he?”
I sputter aloud. “I’m sorry? Do most boyfriends put trackers on their partners’ phones?”
“The smart ones,” Ezra answers, his lips curving into a small smile. “Yes.”
Mikhail’s fingers start tracing my exposed hip bone, and I’m instantly reminded that I have no pants and I’m in a bedroom with a man I don’t know.
Ezra, I know. Even if he’s become a heartless bastard, at least I can say that I more or less know the guy and may or may not have had a crush on him once.
Mikhail, on the other hand, I really don’t know.
I smack his hand and he chuckles, letting me go and backing away with both hands up in front of him like he’s the one defending himself. “Can’t help it after your little display earlier. You’re divine, you know. That rosy blush on your cheeks as Andrei rubbed his cock against you. The way your eyes drifted out of focus.” He licks his lips. “Delicious, malyshka. I’d love an encore performance.”
My face burns, and he laughs harder.
Ezra glares at Mikhail, and the man at least has the wherewithal to shut up, even if he can’t stop grinning.
“You will stay here, Baranova. You will not try to run. You will not try to hurt yourself. Do you understand?” Ezra crosses his arms over his chest, and I’m reminded just how large he is compared to normal men. Mikhail’s stature is lean, Andrei’s is broad-shouldered and fit, but Ezra’s is massive.
With a huff, I mirror his posture and cross my arms over my chest. I’ll have to come up with an escape plan once they’re gone. “Yes, I understand. Now get the hell out of my room.”
Mikhail walks backwards out of the room, watching me the entire time, that same wicked gleam and goddamned smirk on his fucking face. Ezra doesn’t bother looking at me, and I can’t say I blame him.
I’ve had enough of him for one day, too. Of all of them.
“Can I at least have some fucking pants?” I yell, throwing my hands in the air. “What is with you guys?”
Howling laughter echoes down the hall, and I stomp over to the door and lock it up tight. I bet one of them has a key, if not all of them, and I scan the room for something to jam under the doorknob.
The dresser’s too heavy. The desk is on the other side of the room...but the chair. That, I can move.
It feels flimsy shoved up against the double doors, but it’s better than nothing. A ripple of fear at Ezra’s strength makes me nervous. He could probably shove the doors open with his bare hands, locks and makeshift barricade be damned.
I search the entire room, but there’s not much here. Empty dresser. Empty closet. Empty bathroom, save some spare towels and a bathmat. The bedroom’s bare, save the furniture and twin lamps on the nightstands, each one with golden vines spiraling up the base, splitting into equally golden leaves. Glass lampshades in the shape of roses give the finishing touch, and I sigh as I click one on.
There’s no way I’m sleeping in the dark, if I manage to sleep at all.
