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With every question, he takes a step towards me, closing the gap between us.
“Do you think last night could have happened with someone I wasn’t head over fucking heels in love with?” he snarls. “I mean, for fuck’s sake, Cora… That doesn’t happen for just anybody.”
He’s close enough now that all it takes is one step for me to be pressed against his chest. For my cheek to land over his racing heart.
He strokes fingertips through my tangled hair. “Of course I love you, Cora. That was never a question. There isn’t anyone else. There never will be.”
41
IVAN
Cora is a fucking angel.
She’s wearing a long floral sundress that Anya sent over for her. I’ve considered pulling the car over twice to fuck her absolutely silly before we even made it to the house.
Through sheer force of will alone, I made myself wait so we could do it in bed for once—except, as soon as we reach the porch, Yasha bursts through the front door to meet us.
“So good to see you again, Cora. Really. Glad you’re back.” Then he turns to me. “Good to see you, too, brother. But there’s something you should know before you go in there.”
Instinctively, I shift Cora behind me. “Tell me now.”
“It’s fine. The house is secure. Neither the Sokolovs nor Cora’s family have made any moves to contact us or anyone else in the house.”
I frown. “Okay. Then what the fuck is this about?”
I’m getting impatient. I need to christen every surface of the mansion. A sexual exorcism to purge Francia’s essence from every goddamn nook and cranny. I’ll fuck Cora in the garden, in the eighth guest bathroom, hanging from the chandelier—it’ll be like burning sage to get rid of the demons.
“They haven’t contactedanyonein this house,” he repeats with emphasis. “Not a word all of last night or this morning.”
It takes me a second before my eyes pop wide. “Are you fucking telling me that Francia is still in there?”
Cora gasps as Yasha nods.
“She has no clue what happened last night.” He smiles in wild disbelief. “After the attack, I figured Mikhail would call and warn her. But I got back here and she was still in bed. Then she woke up this morning and… business as usual.”
“She’shere?” Cora hisses.
“Why didn’t you get rid of her?” I demand.
Yasha gives me a shit-eating grin. “I thought you might enjoy the honors.”
When I process what he’s suggesting, my grin spreads wide to match Yasha’s. “You thought right.” I turn to Cora. “Stay behind me.”
I kiss her hard and fast before I step into my own house, slamming the door behind us to make sure the sound echoes. Cora stays tucked away between me and a pillar in the foyer.
It only takes a few seconds before I hear the click-clack of heels on the tile. Or maybe it’s cloven hooves. Who can really say?
“Where in the hell have you been?” Francia snaps.
Her nostrils are flared in frustration and her top lip is curled. She isn’t attractive on a good day and today isnota good day. Not for her, at least.
Fuck, I can’t wait until she’s out of my house.
“I went out.”
“Where? For what?” Her eyes narrow. “Who were you with?”
“That’s my business.”
