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Viktor’s deep voice interjected over the laughter. “I don’t know, sestrichka, you’re extra funny when you’re cranky from having to go shopping all day. You might have to do it more for our benefit.”
“Viktor, we don’t use that kind of language in this house.” I looked at him as sternly as I could, before laughing.
More laughter, as they enjoyed not being the targets of my anger this time around.
As the laughter died down, Adrik was deep in thought. “I think that’s a good plan, Ivan. Armando can plant the seed with Dario and Massimo, then we’ll see what they do with the information.”
When Adrik and I went to the penthouse later that evening, all the items I’d been talked into buying had been delivered. There were quite a few bags just inside the door. Adrik smiled when he saw them. “I’m glad you bought a few things. I hope you bought more panties,” he said, his eyebrow raised.
“Well, if someone would stop insisting on ripping them off, I wouldn’t have to replace them in bulk.” I went to pick up the bags to take them to the closet. Instead, he picked me up and carried me to the bedroom.
“Leave those. You need to soak in a bath. I don’t like that your limp is back.”
“You read my mind. Don’t we have to change my bandage tonight anyway?” He nodded his head as he put me down on the bed.
“Ivan told me to leave the bandage off for a few hours this time. He said to let it dry out and then put the regular honey and bandage back on it. It’s healing well still, but it’s still slow. He said this might help speed it up,” he said as he went to turn the water on in the bathroom.
“I’d be fine with leaving the bandage off for longer than a few hours. The adhesive is really irritating. That hurts worse than the hole in my hip most days.”
“I think you will be able to do that soon, solnishko. Maybe a few more days of the bandage and it’ll be small enough that you can go without the bandage.” He pulled my shirt over my head as I yawned. I was so tired. I fell back on the bed, not wanting to make any more effort than absolutely necessary for the rest of the night. I heard him chuckle as he unbuttoned my jeans. “It was really that bad today?”
I laughed. “No, well, yes. But I am being a tad overdramatic about it all. I think I’m so cranky because my hip hurts so much. If that didn’t hurt, I probably wouldn’t have cared to keep going.” He pulled my jeans off, pulling me up to undo my bra. “I saw Max today,” I said as he pulled me up from the bed.
“Oh, yeah? You guys went to the restaurant?” he asked, surprised.
“No. God, no. He was on the sidewalk as we were walking back to the vehicles. Well, everyone else was walking. I was being carried like the goddamn princess I am,” I said, laughing.
He pulled my panties down, making sure that I noticed he didn’t rip them off, which made me laugh more. “How is Max?” he asked as he scooped me up to take me to the bathroom. He set me down on the counter, so he could remove my bandage as the tub continued to fill.
“He’s good, but you won’t believe this.” He stopped to look at me. I smiled at him, “He’s dating Tori now.”
“What?!” he exclaimed, completely surprised.
“That was my first reaction as well, but something seems fishy about it. Until I met you, I spent the most time with Max. Well, when he wasn’t seeing anyone seriously. He was probably the best friend I had at the time. He told me that Tori got a job at the restaurant, which isn’t completely out of the realm of possibility. She’s a chef. It’s a restaurant. Makes sense, right?” He nodded as he picked me up from the counter and took me to the tub. He set me down, so I could sit in the hot water. I waited for him to get in behind me as I continued my thoughts, “but Max and I have a bunch of stupid, hilarious stories from working together for so many years. I would be willing to bet he told her a story about me. Max has very few rules, but not dating coworkers was always one that he stuck to. Religiously. If they’re dating, she would’ve had to initiate it. I just don’t think she has good intentions toward him.”
“Did you see Tori today?” he asked as he sat down behind me, pulling me back against him. The bath got instantly warmer as soon as I leaned back against his chest. I sighed, feeling my body relax at the warmth as well as at his touch.
“I didn’t see her. Misha said he saw her in the store, but doesn’t think she ever saw us. Poor Andrei was so angry after we left.”
“Did you tell Max that you knew her?”
“We didn’t have much time to talk. Ivan left Misha and Andrei with me, and he took Ms. Jackson and Giana to get one of the vehicles. He was on his way back, so I had time to ask a few questions about whether she knew that he was friends with me and if she knew before or after they started dating. I told him to get rid of her, that she was bad news, but he’s literally never listened to any advice I’ve given him on girls. Ever. I don’t see why he would start now.”
He was quiet for a moment. “I know he’s your friend and I know I keep saying this, but he’s not a smart man, Sephie. If he can’t see that you have his best intentions in mind, then he deserves everything that Tori does to him.”
I sighed. “I know you’re right. I guess I’m just worried that this is going to be the one time he doesn’t come back. Every time he would choose another girl over hanging out with me, I always worried it would be the last time. At some point, he’s going to find a lasting relationship and then he’ll forget all about me. It doesn’t hurt as much now that I have you and the guys, but it still hurts.” He wrapped his arms around my waist as he kissed my neck.
“Some people are in our lives forever, some for just a few chapters. Maybe his chapters are coming to a close,” he said, holding me tighter.
I wrapped my arms around his, lacing my fingers through his. “At least I have six more that will be there until the last page.”
“Always. We will always choose you.”
Chapter Fifty-One
Adrik
I woke the next morning to find Sephie in her favorite spot. She was snoring softly, her fingers playing on my chest. I ran my hand over her back. She simply snuggled into me more without waking. She was exhausted after shopping all day the day before. She was also adorable when she was cranky from shopping all day long. We all got more enjoyment out of her crankiness than we probably should have, but we couldn’t help it. She was hilarious, especially when her crankiness wasn’t directed at any of us.
