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It’s the same freaking room Luka and I screwed each other senseless in, but somehow, it looks even bigger now. I sneak a glance at the lamp in the corner, silently praying that he hasn’t discovered the microchip I hid underneath it.
For now, I have to play it cool, act as if we’re complete strangers. But with Luka smirking at me like he knows every filthy thought I’ve ever had about him.
“Thanks for coming,” Luka murmurs, his voice sinfully rich, like a devil’s whisper that makes a few of the girls stifle nervous laughter. With a deceptively casual grace, he pushes off the table he’d been nonchalantly leaning against. Towering like a force of nature, he strides to the center of the room. He looks like he’s about to deliver a dark sermon, but his eyes are locked on me. I try to project an air of confidence and honesty, but my heart races with anxiety. What if he doesn’t choose me? What if I don’t get the job?
Oh God… Nilo!
“I’m in need of someone who can handle the responsibility of caring for my Yulia,” Luka continues, the possessiveness in his tone sparking an unexpected pang of jealousy within me. My Yulia? I wonder who this Yulia is and why her name elicits a feeling of envy in me. A big bad Bratva lord, loving someone? It seems impossible.
“The person I choose will need to assist Yulia with her homework, manage her daily schedule, ensure her safety, and provide emotional support,” Luka says, his eyes locked on mine as if daring me to prove my worth. “You will be required to be available 24/7 and live with her at our residence.”
His conditions hang in the air like a challenge, and I steel myself, determined to meet his expectations and secure this job. The atmosphere in the room crackles with tension, a tangible mix of curiosity and trepidation. It’s as if everyone is holding their breath, and then, from the back of the room, a timid voice pipes up.
“Um, excuse me, sir? How much would we be paid for this job? You know, considering the…um, risks?”
A grin tugs at the corner of Luka’s mouth as he looks at the girl who asked the question. “Ah, getting right to the point, aren’t you?” he drawls, his voice dripping with a mixture of amusement and arrogance. “Well, let me put your mind at ease. The salary for this position is $15,000 a month. Cash only.”
My stomach twists in a mixture of envy and disbelief as his words sink in. Fuck. It took me three goddamn years to scrape together a measly five-thousand-dollar stash, and here he’s offering three times that amount like it’s pocket change.
The room erupts into a cacophony of gasps, whispers, and nervous giggles. The girls exchange wide-eyed glances and furtive looks, all too aware of the dangerous world that comes with the territory of working for Luka Ivankov. But no one dares to mention it out loud.
Some girls visibly weigh the risks against the hefty paycheck, while others’ expressions harden with determination, clearly ready to take on the challenge. As for me, there’s no choice – I need this job, and I’ll do whatever it takes, regardless of the risks.
I take a deep breath, trying to quell the embarrassment threatening to consume me. With my hands trembling ever so slightly, I step forward, ready to make my case.
“Ladies and…um…gentleman,” I begin, my voice wavering just a touch, “let me tell you why I am the perfect candidate for this job.” Inside, I’m dying. But I know I have to sell myself if I want to get this position. I strike a confident pose, hands on my hips, and continue, “First of all, I’ve changed so many diapers, I could do it blindfolded, in the dark, during an earthquake.” I force a laugh, hoping it sounds more genuine than it feels. “I can whip up a gourmet meal that would make even the pickiest eater beg for seconds. And when it comes to Disney princess songs? Honey, I can belt out ‘Let It Go’ like Elsa herself.”
My face is burning, but I press on, desperate to prove my worth. “But wait, there’s more!” I exclaim, imitating an infomercial host. “I am not only a nanny extraordinaire, but I’m also available 24/7 for Yulia. That’s right, no breaks, no vacations, just pure, unadulterated dedication!”
“Who the fuck does she think she is?” I can hear some of the other candidates whispering and snickering behind me. I refuse to let them get to me, though. I’ve got too much on the line to worry about a few catty comments. I keep my focus on Luka, trying to read his reaction.
The head maid, her jaw practically on the floor, stares at me in disbelief. Clearly, she never expected anyone to be this bold. She looks back and forth between me and Luka, waiting for his response just as eagerly as I am.
Luka’s gaze remains steady, his expression enigmatic. The tension in the room is suffocating as we all hold our breath, waiting for him to speak. Finally, after what feels like an eternity, he shatters the silence.
“What the hell—?” Luka’s lips contort into a grin, and his chuckle begins, low and dangerous. It rapidly transforms into boisterous, diabolical laughter that fills the room. His shoulders shake, and his eyes gleam with wicked amusement as he wipes away the tears forming at the corners.
As if on cue, the others chime in. A woman snorts and exclaims, “Oh, God!” while another one gives a mocking guffaw. “I’ll be hiding my head under the ground now!” Some hide their snickers behind their hands, while others barely stifle their giggles, shooting gleeful glances at one another.
“Shit,” I hiss under my breath. Feeling the heat rise in my cheeks, I grit my teeth and square my shoulders. This was not the reaction I was hoping for. With my chin raised defiantly and my chest puffed out, I challenge Luka, my eyes a silent dare for him to carry on laughing. Inside, I’m seething, but I refuse to let him see how much his amusement has unsettled me.
The moment Luka’s laughter dies, the room descends into an eerie silence, as if every breath had been stolen by the devil himself. His predatory gaze latches onto me, and with slow, deliberate steps, he approaches. The heat of his focus feels like a thousand suns scorching my skin, but I refuse to wilt under his scrutiny. My chin lifts higher, and my chest puffs out, daring him to try to break me.
He stops before me, his towering figure casting a shadow that threatens to devour me whole. Our eyes engage in a ferocious battle of wills, and the air between us becomes electric, a storm brewing at the core of our standoff.
I’d rather fucking die than give in to him. But his laughter pissed me off.
Who the hell does he think he is?
Well, okay, he is the boss, of course. But my pride rages, refusing to back down. I’ve already made a fool of myself, so I might as well see this through to the bitter end. My ego roars, hell-bent on confronting him, consequences be damned. And then he dips his head.
“I’ve missed you, krasotka,” he growls in my ear, his breath hot and heavy on my skin. “You’ve been away too long.”
Chapter 18
Luka
20 mins earlier
