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I force myself to push the unease down, trying to focus on the conversation as the women continue chatting. Their presence is warm, welcoming, and I quickly feel at ease in their company, like I’ve known them for much longer than just a few hours.

“So, how’s married life going?” Amara asks, tossing her black hair over her shoulder, her hazel eyes sparkling. “I remember the slap at your brother’s birthday,” she adds with a soft laugh. “Have things improved since then?”

I take a long sip of my wine, trying to steady myself. “Well…” I trail off, my fingers tightening around the glass. “Maybe a little. But I’ll be honest, it’s hard for me to trust that he won’t walk away from me again.”

Elara nods in understanding. “Yeah, Tynan told me about what happened and that you left.”

My throat tightens. “It was just too hard for me to stay after how much he hurt me.”

“Trust can be a tricky thing,” Elara continues. “Once it’s broken, it takes time to rebuild it. But I’m sure you two can.” She reaches over, her hand comforting as she gives mine a reassuring squeeze. “If you want to, that is.”

I want to. God, I want to. But fear holds me back.

“I just don’t want to get hurt again.”

Sympathetic eyes greet me.

“I vote you make him suffer a little more,” Amara says, a playful glint in her gaze. “Wouldn’t want to make it too easy on him.”

I laugh, shaking my head. “My cousin Natalia would agree with you. It’s exactly what she told me to do.”

We all chuckle, and for a moment, I forget about the fear and the past. It’s easy to laugh, to feel like we’re all best friends already. The warmth of their presence washes over me, making me feel lighter than I’ve felt in a long time.

“Um…” Elara leans in, glancing briefly toward the bodyguards and then back at me. “Is that guy checking you out?”

I follow her line of attention, and my stomach drops. The same bodyguard from earlier. His dark eyes are fixed on me, and when I meet his gaze, his mouth curves into a small, unsettling smile.

“I think so.” My throat goes dry.

Elara's eyes narrow, and she fixes him with a pointed stare. He quickly shifts his focus elsewhere, but the discomfort in my chest lingers.

Why is he looking at me like that? Doesn’t he realize that this kind of attention could get him killed?

At least it would if he worked for Konstantin. He’d never let something like this slide. But Cillian…maybe he doesn’t handle things the same way.

I hesitate, unsure whether to bring it up to him. The last thing I want is to stir up trouble.

My gaze flicks back to the bodyguard, my thoughts spinning. It’s possible I’m overreacting, but the unease refuses to fade.

CHAPTER45

CILLIAN

After wrappingup the business call with my brothers, I slide into the car, the weight of the day pressing down on me.

Without thinking, I dial a number I never thought I’d call again. The line rings for a few seconds before he answers.

“Cillian. What can I do for you, brother?”

I grind my teeth. Keeping my tone even is difficult, but necessary. “Can you teach me Russian?”

There's a long pause before Konstantin bursts into laughter. “I never thought I’d hear you ask me that.”

“Can you or not?”

“Of course. But why?”

“Because I’m trying…with her, and I thought…” I trail off, not quite ready to admit how desperate I am.