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“Stay away from us, Liliya. No amount of money can convince me you’re worth ruining my reputation.” Jazzy spins on her heels, and the other three girls with her give me the once over and follow along behind their ringleader.
I had suspected my father was paying her to be friends with me, but having it confirmed breaks my heart a little. Her words were as sharp as Dez’s knives and cut just as deeply. The difference is…I think Iwantto feel Dez’s on my flesh.
Taking a deep breath, I wait until Jazzy and her friends are far enough away before continuing my walk to school. But not before glancing back one more time, shocked to find the man with Dez holding his arm in a solid grip to keep him from storming forward. I don’t know if he heard Jazzy’s words or not, but it warms me to see he wants to come after me.
Offering him a brief smile, I nod at him before hurrying to school before I’m late yet again. One more tardy on my record, and I’ll be paying for it at home.
The day continues much the same as every other day. I go to class, do my assignments, eat lunch—alone this time—and go home to a house that feels more like a prison. Nothing changes. Not really. Not until I’m dragged out of bed after dark, kicking and screaming.
THREE
DEZ
“You’re sure you want to do this,” Anton asks again, his eyes hard and voice flat as he stares me down like I’m the enemy.
My back bristles as I sense the threat, even if it’s only in my head. “She is mine,” I state with certainty. “She. Is. Mine.” I repeat the words numerous times as I pace back and forth in front of Anton’s desk. Vasyl and Petro are here, too. Petro leaning against the bookshelves, and Vasyl sitting on the couch, appearing relaxed.
“She’s worth it?” Petro asks this time.
My glare swivels to meet his calculating eyes. “Worth it,” I repeat, wondering how often they asked Vasyl ifIwas worth it. When the older man found me all those years ago, I’d fought him tooth and nail, wanting nothing to do with the life he was offering me. I wasn’t worth it. Wasn’t good enough. But he saw in me what no one else ever has.
“Are any of us?” I shoot back instead. “Are any of us worthy of this life?”
Before they can respond, squealing laughter comes from outside the heavy doors. Next are pattering footsteps that must be Lana as she goes racing down the hall, followed by the sounds of crawling triplets chasing her.
“Yes, Dez, we are, and if this is the girl you choose for yourself, then we’ll help you any way we can.” I stare back at the head of the Odessa Organization, something warm fluttering in my chest.Gratitude?Perhaps. I don’t feel many things, but I like that he’s agreeing with me. “Vasyl, I want you to make the call. Have Vovk come to the house at dusk; tell him to bring the girl or the money he owes. If he fails on either part, Dez will be gathering more body parts for his collection.”
A triumphant grin works across my face as Vas shakes his head, making the call. “You’d better get her a room ready,” Petro advises.
“Why?”She will share my room.
Anton snorts as he stands and makes his way in the direction of the children. Petro follows behind him, leaving my question unanswered. Vasyl’s steady tone is speaking to Liliya’s father as I ponder what Petro meant.
Turning when Vasyl hangs up the phone, he says, “Vovk will be here tonight with one or the other.” I acknowledge that.
“What did Petro mean? Why will Liliya need a room readied?” My brows pinch as he walks towards me.
Clapping a hand on my shoulder, the tips of his fingers dig into my flesh as he speaks. “Women like to be…wooed. You might be all-in, Dez, but this girl doesn’t know a damn thing about you.”
“I met her today.”She knows me now.
“Does she know your darkest secrets?” My eyes cut to meet his.
Anger burns through my flesh, clawing at my insides as I tear away from his grip. “Nobody does. Nobody ever will.”
His sigh fills the room. “I’ve never asked, and I never will, but I’ve put things together from rumors and your behavior. If you want this girl to trust you, to love you, to accept you into her heart and body, you’re going to have to rip open those wounds and bleed for her.”
“If I don’t?”
“She’ll be in a life where your secrets mean more than her. And that, my boy, is a painful fucking life.” I know he’s talking about Nadia. She went through hell with her father. I watched the worst of it unravel.
Striding from the room, I head up to my wing, my small slice of peace, and slam the suite door shut behind me. When I moved in with the Renznikovs, they gave me half a dozen rooms to do with as I wished. The first thing I did was convert them into my own suite by knocking down walls.
I have a galley kitchen on one end that I’ve never used. A sitting room with a large couch, a giant TV over the fireplace, and a balcony off to the side. And then there’s my bedroom and the bathroom suite. A divider between the bedroom and the sitting room is the only privacy provided. A walk-in closet is available, as well—mostly empty because I don’t need much.
Staring around the suite, I try to picture it as Liliya would. It’s neat, not overly masculine, with varying shades of blue, white, and grey as the main color scheme. A vanity I purchased only three days after spotting Liliya sits unused and clear of clutter at the entrance to the bathroom. In the drawers are new cosmetics and girly things I thought she might like, and at the center of the closet is a dressing table that I’ve filled with jewelry for her. I wanted to purchase her an entire wardrobe, but I wasn’t sure of her style. Not then. Plus, I wanted her to feel like she could do as she pleased.
Walking to one of the storage cabinets, I pull out a few blankets and throw pillows Nadia had given me when she noticed the vanity. They’re in pastel colors. Pink, purple, yellow, all welcoming tones, she had explained.
