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“She made friends while living in the city? Outside friends? A man less than half her age?” Andrei rolls onto his side and props his head up on his palm. “Think, Valentina. How does that make sense?”
Everything happened so fast after the wedding. Driving out of the city, finding a place to sleep, figuring out how I was going to live with myself. Grandma bought the house almost immediately. The closing date even came faster than expected. Something about expediting the process for a friend.
Our real estate agent was actually the owner of the company I ended up working for, and Liam hired me on the spot. I didn’t even have a formal interview. At the time, he said I looked like I needed a pick-me-up... and then a few months later, he asked me out on a date.
A year later, I was looking out of his sixth-floor apartment window with nothing but a bed sheet wrapped around me.
My grandma couldn’t have set that all up on her own, but she was overjoyed when I first told her we were dating...
My lips curve into a frown. “Okay, so let’s say she did plan for me to leave the city. She sets me up with a house and a job, and then she encourages me to date my boss. That’s a little...weird. But it’s not criminal.”
“She manipulated you.” Andrei’s eyes narrow, and even though I know he’s not mad at me, a chill still runs down my spine. “He manipulated you.” A muscle in Andrei’s jaw tics. It looks like there’s more he wants to say, but he swallows whatever it is like a bitter pill.
I take a deep breath and close my eyes. The room is spinning, and it’s like pins and needles are dancing inside my skull. “And that’s enough to kill them?” I ask.
Andrei squeezes my hand. “Yes, zhena. Anyone who manipulates you, hurts you, steals you away from me, or threatens your autonomy has a death wish that I’m happy to fulfill.”
The more I hear any of my men threaten violence upon others, even if it is my grandmother, the less it bothers me.
Or maybe it’s the mind-blowing orgasms that make everything else seem less dire.
“Even if she did all those things, she didn’t mean me any harm. She loves me.” The thought that my grandmother would knowingly do anything to hurt me is ridiculous.
“I love you,” Andrei declares, wrapping an arm around my waist and pulling me into his chest. “I didn’t think you’d take this news so well.”
I know he’s still only telling me half-truths, but we’ve made progress tonight, and that’s what matters most to me.
I kiss the edge of his lips and love the way they tug up in a smile. “I’m learning to adapt. Sink or swim, right?”
Andrei chuckles. “You are strong, zhena. Taking my cock so deep...”
I smack his shoulder, and he laughs.
“Fine. You handled that well. And I’m sorry that I...” He trails off, his voice wavering at the end. “I’m sorry that I doubted you. I should have trusted that you wouldn’t leave if I told you what really happened with your grandmother.”
I brush my hand against his stubbled cheek. “Celia told me that I’d have to earn the city’s trust again. It makes sense that I’d have to start with its king.”
Andrei mumbles something unintelligible, so I pull the blankets up over us. Before I can elaborate any more, his breathing deepens and the crease in his forehead relaxes.
Sleeping, Andrei looks ten years younger. All the worry and stress of the day melts away, leaving him with nothing but peace.
I doubt he lets anyone sleep beside him, and my heart warms at the realization that he trusts me.
Not to leave.
Not to stab him in the back.
Not to murder him in his sleep.
My body aches all over, but the pain dulls as I press one final kiss to Andrei’s lips.
I may not have the full truth, but at least for one night, I can pretend nothing else exists outside of this room, this bed, this man, this love.
Chapter 22
Valentina
I’m pulled from sleep by Andrei’s warm hands on my body as he spoons me. He lifts my leg and tugs it back, draping it over his thigh and bending my other knee toward my chest to spread me open. Fingers delve into my core, stroking gently, drawing out the pleasure tugging up my spine.
