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I’m under no illusions. I will. I’m a loner through choice. Will I marry one day? My line of work rates that impossible, but the more time I spend with this woman, the more I’m dreading the moment she walks away from me.
I have promised her one million dollars to stick it out. Small change for my family, but life-changing for her. She has the choice of two life-changing decisions, and I am already regretting giving her the freedom to decide.
We make our way to my suite of rooms as my staff all go about their own business. We also own the neighboring property and have knocked through to allow our staff easy access. It’s a security buff’s heaven. Nothing can get inside here without warning and if they did, we have panic rooms installed on every floor that are bomb proof. The fact we take such considerable care of our safety made it even more of a shock that my father was murdered in his own home.
Lilli gazes in awe at the luxurious bedroom as we head inside and as I regard it through her eyes, I admit it’s impressive. It’s not the largest bedroom I own, but the heavy brocade drapes, deep pile rugs and overstuffed bed make it one of the most comfortable.
Soft mood lighting and huge urns filled with flowers fill the air with a heady scent. The view out of the windows isn’t the best one we enjoy, but the art on the walls makes up for that and we are particularly proud of the Constable hanging over the fireplace. The fire is lit now, its flames curling upward with a hiss and a crackle and Lilli gazes into it with a wistful expression.
I can’t resist and slip my arms around her waist and pull her flush against my body.
“What are you thinking?”
She leans back against me and sighs. “That I could get used to this. You live an intoxicating life, Mikhail.”
“I do.” I push her hair away from her neck and press soft kisses on the delicate skin and she sighs against me.
“I never knew people really lived like this outside of kings and presidents.”
“Get used to it.” My own words surprise me, and she says sadly, “I’m trying not to.”
I spin her around and cup her beautiful face in my hands and hate that her eyes glitter with tears.
“Then stop trying.”
“And allow my heart to break when I leave? Why does the thought of that hurt so much?”
“Then don’t.” I hate the pleading edge to my voice and wonder when I became controlled by a woman?
From the moment, you wiped the blood from her face and revealed a miracle.
That memory is the sharpest one always standing center stage in my mind. The moment I laid eyes on her for the first time was the moment my life started counting for something.
“I’ve been thinking.” Her voice is soft, and I hate how hard my heart is thumping right now. I don’t want Lilli to think. I want to her to accept this life, accept me because I’m not ready for her decision to walk away.
“I’m coming with you tonight.”
I swallow my automatic ‘no’ and say carefully, “In what capacity?”
“As your plus one.”
“Which would achieve?”
Her eyes shine as she whispers, “I can be Iris Mahoney.”
“I have my plus one.” She flinches, but I must be brutal and shoot down her preposterous suggestion.
I stare at her with a hard expression and hiss, “Do you think I want you in that environment? My woman surrounded by predators. You are not part of that world, Lilli. I want to keep you safe and unaware of the depravity that exists in every black heart of the privileged.”
“Are you saying you’re that man, Mikhail because if you are, you are also a hypocrite.”
Her eyes flash with determination and for some reason, I like it. Lilli has a backbone, and it’s up to me to save her from the consequences of that and she says roughly, “I am my own person, Mikhail and I can make my own decisions based on what I believe is right. There is nothing to stop me from helping you. I understand what you need, and I will be best placed to get that information for you.”
“No, Lilli.” My voice is sharp intentionally, and she pulls away and says fiercely, “Let me help you, Mikhail, because you’re not the only one with scores to settle.”
She hisses, “Reggie was part of that world. I need to witness first-hand the kind of places she went and the people who used her. I want to see it for myself to bring closure to something I know little about.”
Her eyes fill with tears that she angrily brushes away, and she falters as she sobs, “I am trying to come to terms with what happened to her, and my own experience was very different. I want to be Iris Mahoney for one night, just to bring me closer to the world that destroyed my beautiful sister. Somehow, if I can help you at the same time, it will draw a line under it for both of us. This is my only chance to make that happen, Mikhail and I am begging you. Please don’t take that away from me.”
