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I push the roasted vegetables back and forth on my plate before spearing a carrot and taking a bite. I watch the thin smile Nik gives his brother as Ivan hands him the sauce.
Is Nik hiding something?!My heart aches just thinking about having to show Ivan who his brother really is. Even though we know that a member of his family is turning against him, I hope it’s someone else. Someone who won’t shatter Ivan’s heart with his betrayal.
“How are you liking Ivan’s home?” Aunt Libby asks as she leans a little closer to me with a smile. “I hope they don’t discuss business too much when you’re there. It isn’t for the faint of heart at all.”
Ivan and Lev sit close together, their hands moving as they speak about business. Their dinners are forgotten on their plates while Nik is busy shoveling food into his mouth.
Is he trying to stay busy, so he doesn’t look guilty?
“Ivan does talk about business at home sometimes. I find it interesting. The amount of dedication he pours into the Bratva is something that most people would only hope to see in their boss.”
Ivan looks up at me, his eyes sparkling with amusement. “You alright doll? That sounded like a compliment.”
Aunt Libby squeals and reaches out to cover my hand with hers, giving it a light squeeze. “The two of you are a good match. I’m happy that Ivan has finally found someone to settle down with. We were worried about him for a long time.”
Ivan rolls his eyes and turns his attention back to his uncle. Aunt Libby starts talking about one of the upcoming Bratva events while I glance at Nik. His forehead is slightly beaded with sweat as he interjects into the business conversation from time to time. When he has nothing more to say, he devours the food on his plate.
Nik’s phone begins to ring. He gives the table an apologetic smile as he pulls it out and checks the caller ID. The smile fades as he pushes himself back and stands up. “Sorry, I have to take this.”
He hurries out of the room as he answers the call. Suspicion curls through me as the echo of his footsteps on the hardwood floor gets softer.
“The men can never seem to leave business out of the conversation for one night,” Aunt Libby complains with a knowing smile. “One of these days, they’re going to run out of things to talk about.”
I giggle as the hairs stand up on the back of my neck. If ever there was a time to get evidence of what Nik is doing, it would be now. He would have taken the call at the table if it had been a normal business call. The fact that he got up and walked away makes me think that there is more going on.
I must find out what he’s up to.
I smile at Aunt Libby before standing up. “Would you excuse me for a moment? Your restroom is just down the hallway, right?”
Aunt Libby nods. “Yes, it’s the second door on the right.”
As I get up, guilt runs through me. It’s not right to sneak around her house, but I have to make sure Nik doesn’t hurt Ivan.
I head down the hallway, listening for Nik’s voice before finding him in a guest bedroom. I lean against the wall outside the room, holding my breath as he mumbles something I can’t quite catch.
Just a little louder. All I need is for him to speak a little louder.
“The plan is going to work this time,” Nik says, his voice gruff.
His footsteps grow louder as he strides across the room. My heart is pounding in my throat as the door opens a little wider. I slide into the room next to it and disappear into the dark shadows. The door of the guest room opens fully, but Nik is silent now. As I stare through the darkness, he stops in the middle of the hallway. He turns towards the room I’m in before shaking his head and continuing back to the dining room.
I let out a breath I didn’t even realize I'd been holding before I stepped out of the room. My body bumps against something hard and I stumble back a step.
“There you are,” Ivan says with a mischievous smile as he shuts the door behind him and flicks on a light. “I thought that you had been gone a little too long.”
“Sorry.” My pulse races as I try to come up with a good excuse. I glance around the room, seeing shelves stacked with books and a few glass containers filled with different things. “I started looking at the pictures of you as a kid on the wall and then I found the library and I couldn’t help myself.”
He chuckles and grabs me around the waist, whirls me around, and sweeps everything off the desk in the middle of the room. He scoops me up and sits me on the edge of the desk, pressing against my shoulder. I lie on the cool wood as he hovers over me. “I should have known you'd be interested in Uncle Lev’s library.” He murmurs into my ear in a seductive voice.
I smile as guilt plagues me, and a sharp pain stings my throat. “I'm sorry. I didn’t realize I'd be gone for so long.”
“I’m sure that nobody is going to miss you for a little while longer.”
“What are you doing?” I whisper. “Not here, we…”
“Relax. I’ll make it quick.” He grunts and shuts me up with a kiss.
Ivan sinks to his knees before me, a wicked look in his eyes. I lean on my forearms, eager to see how he brings my body to life. His hands slide up my legs, teasing me as his mouth follows. As he nibbles and sucks on the insides of my thighs, desire pools low in my belly.
