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Vince’s promise to me is no longer on the table, not if he knows what I’ve done. That’s the truth, even if I wasn’t with Adrik and this whole thing was a horrible mistake, I would still be considered unsuitable for marriage. Purity— as antiquated as the notion is when it’s attached to sexual expression, is still a rule unchangeable even by our new era initiative. This is the way things in my world work, it’s the way they always have, and I’ve gone and metaphorically— as well as literally— fucked it up.
I quickly dry my body off and ring my hair out, turning on the blow-dryer and trying not to think about anything else, though that’s a really tall order for my busy brain. After my hair is sufficiently dry, I twist it up into a messy top knot and slide into the clothes I picked out. My clip on gold hoops that could wrap around the length of the tip of my finger are still resting in the center of the vanity from the last time I wore them. So, I put them on too before sliding on my navy socks and stepping out of the steaming bathroom.
Thunder booms loudly just as my stomach growls, and I decide it’s time for breakfast, so I tip-toe over to the door.
“Wait.” Olive alarms me just before I grab the handle. “Where were you?”
“I was just in the shower.” I quickly say, not turning my head towards her.
“No.” She presses. “Where were you the entire night?”
“I was here…” I am lying through my teeth and when she pauses for longer than I expect, I turn around to see her furrowing her brows like she really can’t remember.
“Huh.” She finally nods.
“Hungry?” I change the subject as soon as I can, and she nods again.
“I’ll wait for you, if you want to get dressed and come down with me.”
“No, no. That's okay. You go ahead.” She waves, still looking rather dazed, like she can’t recall a memory. It’s probably because she and I never lie to each other. I’ve gotten too good at lying to her on this trip. I’ve had to, though… what with my little addiction to Adrik that’s spun completely out of control.
My stomach ties in a knot as I turn back around, pull the door open and step into the hallway. It’s quiet, but I can hear a few of the boys walking upstairs.
They reach the top of the stairs just as I do, and I immediately notice Barth in the front and center of them. All Bratva boys, serious looks on their faces as they nod good morning and walk right past me like they’re on a mission. I grab the railing to head down the stairs, and really, I was about to, but my curiosity has piqued. So, I twist my body around as far as it will go and watch as they head right to Adrik’s door.
They don’t even knock. Barth just opens the door, and they all file in like they’re meant to be there, and honestly, I get worried. Quietly, I turn back around and slowly creep across the wood planks, all the way to the frame of his door that’s cracked open.
“What do you mean?” Adrik asks with a growl.
“You’re supposed to be courting her, not doing this.” Barth grunts back, and I have to cover my mouth to keep from squeaking. Holy shit, they know?
“You think the San Giovanni’s are actually going to follow along with the boss’s plans when I marry that girl?”That girl? The cold tone he’s using sends shivers down my spine, and now I’m shaking like the first wave of an earthquake hit, and I know there’s more shockwaves to come, so I steady myself with the wall.
“Sir, what are you insinuating?”
“I’minsinuatingthat we ditch the boss’s plans. They’re outdated and everyone is growing sick of his mis-steps.”
“Kias wouldn’t have wanted this.” Barth’s concerned voice warns.
“Kias is dead.” Adrik spits back. “And you know who killed him?”
A new voice speaks up, weak and young. “One of the San Giovanni’s…”
“No. My father. Out of sheer stupidity for sending him into a trap. His leadership is outdated.”
“And you’re going to be a new type of leader?” Another new voice pipes up of, thick Russian accent, robust in tone.
“I have zero interest in becoming your leader, but that’s where we are, aren’t we?”
“Adrik, we didn’t come here to fight.”
“Good because I won’t be fighting anyone on this.” his hands clap together, and I try to lurch around the corner to get a better look as he continues. “I fucked Espie to get the fuck out of this contract and that’s it. I have no feelings for her. Is that clear?”
I think my knees hit the floor before I realize they’ve buckled in. And I’m trying to catch my breath like I’ve been running a marathon, but there isn’t enough air in the world to help me take enough in. Everything is spotty, my eyes are throbbing and then my head collides with the floor, welcoming me into a dark panic room that is the recesses of my subconscious.
All that echoes through my mind is his words, slamming against me over and over until I’m screaming into an abyss.
Adrik Mikhailov has ruined me, and I willingly welcomed it upon myself.
