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You leftsomething at the ball, Cinderella.
Call me the next time you slip away from your bodyguards.
V.
P.S. 1234 is a terrible password.
A big,stupid smile spread over Zori's face. He'd even charged it for her. She typed the code in and found that he'd changed the background of her phone to one of him with no shirt on, holding up a small sign that said, 'You missed out on all this.'
"Yebat," she swore, eyes wide. She opened her photos and zoomed in. Vladik was indeed as gorgeous as her imagination had made him out to be with solid muscles that spoke of brute strength and just the right amount of chest hair. She didn't know if she was relieved or disappointed that he hadn't added in a dick pic to her collection.
Zori opened her contacts and choked on a laugh when she saw he had put his number under 'Vladislav the Handsome.' Her finger was hovering over his contact number when it started to ring. Her stomach clenched, but she knew she couldn't avoid answering.
"Morning, Maxim," Zori answered and went back to her coffee pot. She was going to need it for the lecture she was about to get.
"Zoria, what have I told you about running away?" he asked, sounding put out and distracted.
"I wasn't running away. I just went out for an hour. I don't know why I can't do it sometimes. I take the tablets. I give my blood every night. I'm doing fine," she answered, anger flaring in her. "I should be allowed to leave sometimes. You know I'll come back."
Maxim let out a sigh. "It's not about your sickness. Moscow isn't like New York, Zori. I have rivals in the city that could do you harm to get back at me. I don't want to see you hurt."
"What rivals?"
"The pharmaceuticals business is more cutthroat than any mafia, pet. I can't have them taking you and using you against me. That's why I need you stay put. How have you been on the new tablets?" he asked, changing the subject.
"Fine. I've been having more nightmares, but it's probably just being back here." Zori went to the windows again and stared at the gargoyle on the building. Her eyes kept being drawn to it and its curved wings. "I'm lonely, Maxim. Keeping me locked up in this place where she died is torture."
"Don't be so dramatic, Zori. You were so young. I'm sure you can barely remember her," he said, making her flinch. "I can't be worried about your safety right now. If you are good, I promise when I get home in another ten days, we will go out. Do tourist things, look at museums, whatever you want, hmm?"
Zori knew better than to argue. There was no point because she had no choice. "I'll make a list of places I want to see. Enjoy your conference."
"I will bring you back something shiny, pet. I promise."
"Thank you, Maxim," she replied, and he rang off. Maxim always brought her some trinket or designer outfit when he knew he was being unreasonable. She went out so rarely that she didn't see much value in them, only that he wanted her to look good beside him when he did take her places.
Their relationship had never been paternal, but neither had he showed any interest in her sexually. She didn't think Maxim even had those kinds of impulses. He called herpet, and somedays that was exactly what she thought she was to him. Was being a pet better than being an experiment?
Zori took her mother's pendant out of her bra and ran her fingers around the grooves of the engraving and over the tiny skull. Her mother had told her that it would protect her, but she didn't know how. Zori knew that a woman holding a skull wasn't one you should fuck with. Vladik had recognized it the night before; Zori was sure of it.
She looked at her phone and studied the little grin he wore in the photo. It was the kind of smirk girls would do dumb things for. Damn him. She opened up a message:
Zori: Thank you for returning my phone. Not sure about the glamor photo but grateful it's not a dick. Do you know who the woman on my necklace is?
She put the phone down on the kitchen counter and tried to ignore the way her heart raced. She needed to eat, and then she was sure she would feel better. She was halfway through her toast when her phone buzzed.
Vladislav the Handsome: You don't get dick pics until after we have our second date, puppy. The woman on your necklace is a goddess called Morana. You should look her up. I have a feeling you will like her.
Zori: Thanks. I'll do that. Confident of you to think we will have a second date. I don't do them as a rule.
Vladislav the Handsome: You are clever, puppy. I'm sure if you want to see me, you will figure out a way.
Zori laughed softly, and the tension in her shoulders eased. She really didn't know what it was about him that made her feel reckless.
Zori: It might be a few days.
Vladislav the Handsome: Don't worry, Zoria. You are worth the wait. ;)
Zori's heart fluttered dangerously in her chest. Yes, this man was definitely going to make her do very dumb things.
