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The air knocks itself from my lungs. That’s it. The proof I needed.
Leo is with the Bratva. This entire time, I thought I was crazy. I thought he was just some super successful business entrepreneur. That’s why he could afford to be a patron of the Bolshoi, buy a restaurant on a whim, own a building with a penthouse. How could I have been so stupid, so naive? I have never felt more humiliated and blindsided in my life.
I have half a mind to run, but I’m done being nice. I’m done being played the fool.
I stomp forward, emerging from my hiding place around the corner, elbowing my way into the room so I look him dead in the eye.
He stares at me. The silence between us is excruciating. Heavy and thick enough to carve with a knife. He seems just as surprised as I feel.
“Nikita? Nikita, what are you—”
“Is it true?”
He shakes his head, tries to deny it. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“I heard you. I heard all of you.”
“Nikita—”
My heart can't take it. I turn on my heels and leave the way I came. I pray this is some sort of nightmare, because if this is reality, it’s far too cruel. How could I have let myself care for a man who isn’t honest with me? He has lied to my face time and time again, and like an idiot, I believed him.
I’ve barely had the chance to make it outside before he catches up to me.
“Nikita, wait.” He takes my hand gently, with all the tenderness I’ve come to be familiar with. But I rip away. I can’t even look at him. “Nikita, what you heard, it’s all a big misunderstanding.”
“Is it? Don’t you dare lie to me, Leo.”
“Look, can we talk about this somewhere private?”
“Is there a point?”
“You heard a conversation out of context.”
I dig my heels in and stare him down. “Do you smell that?”
“Smell what?”
“Bullshit.” I shove the envelope of money harshly against his chest. “There. Erik Belov, paid in full.”
The look he gives me can only be described as a mix of confusion and heartbreak. “Erik Belov?”
“My father,” I bite out, angry tears welling up in my eyes. “Was this all a part of your plan? Seduce me to somehow use as collateral against my father?”
“Nikita, I would never do that. I had no idea he was your father. Belov is an incredibly common name.”
“How am I supposed to believe you?”
“You trust me, don’t you?”
I stare at him in disbelief. “Idid.”
“I’ll admit I haven’t been very forthcoming, but you can see why I wouldn’t want to tell you the truth. I was worried how you might react.”
“Leo, you're acriminal.”
He looks like he has a million and one things to say, but when his mouth opens, no sound comes out. I can tell he wants to reach out. But whatever I thought we had between us, I’m not sure it can ever be repaired.
I almost gave my heart to a gangster. I loved too hard and fell too freely.
