Page 47 of Coveted By Cupid

Before I can answer, Mikhail pushes me aside to inspect the image. “Yes. It’s her.”

The two of them turn their stony gazes on me.

I’m so fucked.

“Let me explain,” I say, holding my hands out in front of me.

“Yes. Please explain,” Kirill says with eerie calmness. “Who is she to you?”

“She’s my ex. I fucked it up with her when I slept with Riley, and she left me.”

Kirill’s face tightens. “You slept with my scout?!”

Worried I may have gotten Riley into some serious hot water, I swallow down my guilt. “I didn’t know she was your girl. I was stressed. Riley was helping me calm down. It just happened. It meant nothing—it was just sex.”

“Meant nothing?” Kirill growls in his chest, looking like he’s ready to finish me. “You’re telling me she slept with you for nothing?”

My mind is spinning, desperately trying to think of a way to get myself out of this corner. “I was freaking out about not making the deadline. Riley was worried I’d do something stupid, like rat you out to the police or something. She offered to have sex with me to calm me down, to protect you.”

Kirill pauses, likely mulling over my words.

“Riley wouldn’t intentionally upset you,” I stress. “She didn’t want you to get into trouble. I was…her charity case.”

Mikhail snorts, amused at my humiliation.

“Hmm.” Whether Kirill believes me, he wants to believe Riley is loyal to him. “Fine. As long as Riley’s story collaborates with yours, I will let this pass.”

“Thanks, boss,” I say, letting my guard down.

Without warning, Kirill punches me in the gut. I drop to the ground, sucking wind.

“Touch what is mine again and I’ll kill you, da?”

Gasping, I nod hastily.

He takes a seat again on the couch, crossing his ankle over his knee and throwing his arms on the back of the couch like he owns it. I guess, in a way, he does since he owns me.

“Tell me why you wanted us to take your ex—no lies.”

When I feel like I won’t vomit from taking a hit in the stomach, I answer. “She’s made it impossible for me to make it up to her, pissing me off.”

Mikhail nods. “That usually happens when you fuck another woman.”

“It was a mistake,” I say, trying to keep my anger in check. “Vanessa wasn’t willing to forgive me.”

Kirill studies me, possibly trying to see if I’m lying to him. He motions at my black eyes, courtesy of Cupid breaking my nose yesterday. “Did she do this to you for sleeping with my scout?”

“Uh, no. Got the shiners from…playing basketball at the gym yesterday. Took a ball to the face,” I lie. There’s no way I can reveal Cupid was responsible.

“So? What? Hand her over to us for a good time?” Kirill raises an eyebrow. “If you care for her, you wouldn’t give her to us. What’s your reasoning?”

“Do you remember our conversation when I mentioned recruiting her? I said she would be good for the team morale, and I would take her off your hands afterward.”

“Da. I remember.”

“My thought process was if your men violated her for a few hours, she’d feel worthless afterwards, like no one would want her. And I’d be there to take her back with open arms.”

Neither of the Russians says anything for a minute, making me sweat with dread.