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But then again, he does have trouble sleeping and can only do it in odd places and in odd positions.
I came down to tell Maya we shouldn’t wake him up for dinner if he actually falls asleep, but I found her spying in what’s considered our second home on the island.
At first, I contemplate scaring her, but I think better of it and lean sideways to see who got her attention.
Jeremy and his new senior guard, Ilya, stand by the kitchen counter. Jeremy is a few years older than us, is Nikolai’s best friend, and is possibly the only person who can stop him from launching into a full-on suicide mission.
He's huge, handsome, grumpy, and serious to a fault. His father is a big deal in the Bratva, and Jeremy is the heir to that legacy like Nikolai is expected to take over my parents' duties.
Mom said Maya and I can definitely have our place at the table if we want to. Maya said, “No, thanks. I have better things to do with my life.” I also prefer to be a businesswoman with my own company.
Back to the present and Maya, who’s spying on Jeremy, the Heathens’ leader and the one she’s had her claws out for. Since we were children, she’s always thought she’d make him her husband. One, she likes to vie for the strongest man in the room. Two, considering his father’s influence and wealth, he’s, in my sister’s words, a catch.
The fact that he has a girlfriend has never deterred her. When we heard about that, Maya just flipped her hair and announced—smugly, I might add—that he’ll realize his mistake and come begging at her pedicured feet.
But there are two points that contradict the fact that she’s spying on him.
One, Maya never hides. A few weeks ago, she put on her favorite perfume, walked to Jeremy with a sway in her hips, and asked him when he was going to stop making a mistake and pick her.
She tried to run her red nails down his jaw and flirt with him, to which Jeremy respectfully pushed her away. Not only is he painfully not interested, but he also knows that if Niko catches her hitting on his best friend, there’ll be carnage.
Two, she’s not even looking at Jeremy and actually seems more interested in following the movements of the guard, Ilya. A tall, silent blond guy whose voice I’ve only heard a couple of times.
I know because Jeremy is leaning against the wall, but Ilya is the one who’s moving around, getting some ingredients from the cupboard and adding them to the pan on the stove.
They’re talking in Russian—something about the Serpents and the Elites and retaliation. Maya doesn’t give a fuck about any of that.
But I do.
Especially when I catch a name in Jeremy’s dialogue.
“…Landon needs to be put in his place.”
My heart rate skyrockets and I hide myself, mimicking Maya’s criminal-like behavior.
I glare at my chest as if I can see my heart floundering and getting on a metaphorical high.
Seriously, what the hell is wrong with me? Just the mention of his name and I’m immediately in this state.
My cheeks flame at the reminder of last night. Punishing darkness, a sinister voice, and unapologetic lust.
I was more confused about the strength of my reaction than his psycho self. Landon is who he is, but I’m not him.
How could I be attracted to an unfeeling narcissistic psychopath who’d eradicate me and everyone I care about in a heartbeat?
“What did you have in mind?” Ilya asks while still focused on the pan.
“We’ll discuss it with the others later, but one thing’s for certain. Once I get my hands on that motherfucker, I’ll break his hand and destroy his little sculpting hobby.”
It’s not a hobby, though.
I’ve read articles about his first exhibition a few years back, and I’ve seen the disturbingly beautiful statues he won multiple awards for. He’s a global talent, and while it’s annoying that he knows it and even gloats about it, that doesn’t take away the fact that he’s an actual genius.
A psycho genius, but oh well.
“I need someone to follow him at all times without drawing suspicion,” Jeremy continues.
“I will do it,” Ilya says.
