Page 56 of Devil’s Reign

I slide out of bed with the biggest grin, practically bouncing to the bathroom. My body is even more sore today, but I love the ache. It’s a constant reminder of him and how he can’t get enough of me.

I roll my eyes at my reflection in the mirror and pick up the spare toothbrush I used yesterday. It’s lying right next to his, and seeing them side by side like that sends a thrill down my spine. I hum under my breath as I brush my teeth, then hop into the shower. It isn’t until I’m rinsing off that it hits me—I didn’t bring up Luciano last night. Again.

The warmth drains out of me so fast it leaves me cold even under the hot spray.

What kind of sister wakes up smiling over a three-line note when her brother is missing? The guilt clings to me as I step out of the shower. And then another realization crowds in—the morning-after pill. A pregnancy is the last thing I need piled on top of everything else.

My stomach knots at the thought. I dry off quickly and yank on the dress I find folded neatly on the nightstand, too desperate with the hope that he’s still home to question why it’s there.

Shit, what time is it even?

I pull my hair up into a messy bun and hurry out of the bedroom just as Boris approaches with a tray laden with food. My stomach grumbles on cue.

“Is Vanya still home?” I ask, studiously ignoring the delicious smells wafting from the tray.

Boris nods and points at the office. “The boss is there. What about your meal?” he asks when I start walking away.

“Leave it inside. I’ll come back for it.”

My heart picks up pace the closer I get to Vanya’s office. He took the conversation about my freedom pretty well last night. Will he take this just as well? After a brief hesitation, I open the door, only to stop short when I see another man in the room with him.

The stranger does a double take when he spots me, his stare dropping to my neck, where I know Vanya left a huge hickey, then to my pendant at my throat, and finally to the clothes I’m wearing. His brows shoot up into his hairline, and he glances sharply at Vanya with an expression I can’t read. My cheeks flame as I wonder who this is and what he’s thinking.

“Myshka, what is it?” Vanya’s soft question drags me out of my head.

“I’d like to speak with you,” I say, keeping my eyes off the stranger. “Privately.”

“Luka was just leaving.” Vanya waves a dismissive hand.

“Huh, I guess I was,” Luka says dryly, getting to his feet. He gives me a polite nod while walking past, and I quickly shut the door behind him before turning back to Vanya.

“I hope I didn’t interrupt anything?”

“You’re fine.” Vanya rounds his desk and comes towards me. “Is something wrong?”

I meet him halfway. “I’m fine, I—” The sentence dissolves when he dips his head and presses a kiss to my temple, and my whole body goes soft. Without thinking, I wrap my arms around him, sinking into the solid heat of his body.

Vanya runs a hand gently through my hair. “Did you see my note?” The smile in his voice is unmistakable, and one curves across my lips in response.

“I did.”

Seeming reluctant, he steps back from me. “Did you want to tell me something, or did you just miss me?” He winks cheekily, and I laugh, but then I remember why I came in here, and the laugh fades.

“I actually wanted to talk with you. Remember our deal a few nights ago? You never told me what you know about my brother.”

His jaw shifts, like he’s biting down on something. Then his face goes blank, and I clench my teeth as suspicion crawls up my spine. Did he always plan to avoid this? Was any of it—last night, the bath, the note—just a very effective way of keeping me distracted? No, it couldn’t be. But a hot pit opens in my belly, and my pulse spikes. What if…

“If I recall correctly,” he says coolly, “the deal was that I would tell you what I know if you successfully made me come with that smart mouth of yours. You didn’t.”

My lips part in shock. “What, no—I did. I remember you groaning deep into my ear.” My voice falters when he continues to stare at me with chilling calm. The last time he looked at me like this was in his office at Zvezda, right before he cuffed me.

What’s happening? My heartbeat thunders in my ears, my mouth becoming cottony.

“Exactly, myshka. I came in that hot, welcoming pussy of yours, not your mouth.” His thumb taps my lips as his arm circles my waist. My body tingles at his closeness, and I stiffen.

“Wait—wait, move back.” I try to push him away, but he’s stronger than me and resists. “I can’t think when you’re this close. Are you trying to go back on our deal?”

“I’m not going back on anything. You failed to make me come with those lips. That was our deal. And you didn’t fulfill it.”