I rubbed the fine lace of the panties, the satin like water against my fingertips. Stefan had picked these out specifically for me. I tried in vain to banish my sexy thoughts.
Even though I was furious at my husband, I was smart enough to accept that this was a role I would have to play. I texted Gavin to say I couldn’t make it due to a scheduling conflict, promising a raincheck soon, and began getting ready. This was my life right now. I had to play the part until I could figure out an alternative.
The clock was ticking. I undressed, pulling on my robe before quickly doing my hair (in a demure twist, as commanded) and makeup, keeping it as subtle as possible. Then I put on the lingerie. The bra felt like nothing at all, the lace giving my cleavage an unexpected lift, and the panties were just as weightless—and undeniable sexy. I couldn’t help wondering if Stefan would be thinking about the lingerie he’d bought me, hugging me under my dress all night.
And I couldn’t help wishing that at the end of the evening, he’d be the one taking it off.
Tori
Chapter 5
“Take on meee…” Luka was singing in a corner, getting increasingly louder even amid the din of the lavish hotel ballroom. “Take me ooon…”
This fundraiser was a train wreck. Not necessarily in terms of raising the intended funds, since it seemed to be packed full of wealthy, influential people who were clearly happy to throw money at a problem rather than actually thinking about it. But Stefan’s family seemed to be imploding in a very public way—or at least, Luka was.
I had spotted him quickly after we arrived, slouching by the open bar serving wine and a few types of classy but small-sized cocktails. But he must have thrown back a lot of them, because he was clearly drunk. Very, very drunk. And with no sign of Stefan or Konstantin in the immediate area, I knew it was up to me to do damage control.
As I made my way toward the bar, I consciously forced a relaxed smile onto my face. Stefan had not uttered a single word to me before we’d left the condo, barely even glancing my way when I came out of the guest bedroom dressed exactly as he had ordered from hair to heels. It was typical of him lately, but I still felt disappointed—and upset that I’d had to cancel my plans with Gavin and my girlfriends. I hadn’t even told Stefan about my A. Not that he’d care.
“Luka,” I said, taking his arm and adopting a soothing tone as I interrupted his singing. “Maybe we should go get some air. It’s getting a little hot in here, isn’t it?”
I glanced around. Nobody seemed to be taking much of an interest in my brother-in-law, but I’d noticed a few people looking his way when he’d started singing and I was hoping to convince him to leave quietly. Maybe the air outsidewoulddo him some good, sober him up enough to come back to the party and go through the motions along with the rest of the Zorics.
“You wanna drink, Tor?” he asked, flipping open his blazer to reveal the flask bulging from the inside pocket. “I brought my own. Iss’ always all bougie wine here, you know?”
I felt my smile grow tighter. “I don’t drink, Luka. Not in public, at least. I’m still only eighteen.” But oh, how I wished I could. It’d certainly make the night easier.
“Seen you drink at home,” he argued. “C’mon, take it. No one’s looking.” He tried to pass the flask, but I took a step back, worried someone would see and it’d be all over the news. “Zorics know how to keep secrets, didn’t you know? We’re professionals at hiding things.”
Despite Luka’s slurring, his words were sharp. It was obvious to me that he was still angry and bitter in the wake of his own recent revelations about KZ Modeling’s covert activities. I could hardly blame him. My brother-in-law may have been a little spoiled, a player and a partier, but up until a few weeks ago he’d had no idea that his father was a glorified pimp.
If only my husband cared as much. But then, he’d known all along.
“Let’s step out for a minute,” I suggested again.
“What for? Is my little sis not enjoying the rager? Iss’ kinda dull for me, too.”
“I think I need a short break, is all,” I said, looping my arm through Luka’s. “Come on.”
But just then a fur-wrapped older woman with huge diamond earrings hobbled over and placed a hand on Luka’s shoulder. “You’re Luka Zoric,” she cooed with a huge smile. “Gosh, don’t you look just like your father! And what fabulous contributions he’s made this year.”
“You have no idea what my father has contributed to human trafficking,” Luka said. Then he started giggling. Loudly. “No idea at all!”
The woman looked confused, and taken aback.
I cleared my throat and intervened as best I could. “I’m so sorry, but my brother-in-law here has a touch of the flu tonight. He’s not feeling like himself.” She immediately murmured her understanding, stepping back. “I’m going to find us a quiet corner now, if you’ll excuse us.”
But he refused to be herded away, ordering from the bar even as I tugged him toward the exit. I could smell the liquor rolling off him. The last thing he needed was another drink.
“Luka, please,” I begged.
His sloppy grin turned into a tense scowl, and I followed his gaze across the room and saw his father, Konstantin, schmoozing up a group of men in suits. All of them were laughing.
“Victoria, we have a number of other guests to speak with,” a cold voice commanded from behind us. I whirled to find Stefan standing there, glaring between his brother and me.
“But Luka—” I protested.
“Is an adult who can handle himself,” Stefan cut me off, detaching my grip from Luka. “I suggest you get yourself in line, brother,” he said quietly, his voice like steel. “You look sloppy.”
