Page 15 of A Sixpence For Your Shoe (Revenge Brides #6)

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

Misha

V incent playfully slaps my ass as I bend over to get a bowl from the bottom cabinet in the kitchen. I giggle and move away, rubbing my butt where his handprint has left red marks.

“Ow.” I complain with a smile on my face, throwing him a look of sadness that doesn’t match the grin.

“You shouldn’t bend over in front of me. You know it only tempts me.” He smirks, raising his brow and running his hand through his dark grey hair. I watch the muscles flex over his arm and across his shoulder.

“If you want cereal, I need to get bowls for us.” I tilt my head and pull my mouth to the side.

“Go ahead.” He gestures with his chin towards the cupboard I just bent over in front of.

“I don’t think so.” I giggle. “I’m not that na?ve.”

“I promise, I won’t do it again - for now.”

I shake my head. “No.”

He reaches over and tugs me harshly towards him. My body crashes into the solid muscles of his chest and the air is pushed from my lungs.

“Did I not just make a promise to you, my pet? Do you not trust my word?” he growls.

I trace my fingers over his pecs then glance up at him with soft eyes. “I didn’t know your promises meant so much. A lot of people have made promises to me that where never kept.” I shrug, playing disinterest as I look away.

He takes my jaw in his hand and forces me to lock eyes with him. His voice is deep and quiet when he speaks. “If I promise you something I will die before I break that promise. Do you understand?” He says with such seriousness that it sends a thrill of excitement pulsing through my blood.

I nod, biting my lip. Desire building.

“Say it. I want to hear you say you understand and believe me.”

“I understand and I believe you.” My response is genuine. There is something about the way he says things that leaves no room for doubt.

“And if anyone ever makes a promise to you again - and breaks it - I will break them.” His blue eyes pierce into me.

All my life I’ve wanted someone to accept me for who I am. The real me. A me that perhaps I haven’t fully discovered yet.

The me without secrets and hidden pieces. The me I’ve had to keep from my mother for fear of disappointing her. The me who has never told anyone that I killed my father.

I want to be accepted, and Vincent has not only accepted me - but appears to love it.

The darkness I have deep inside me. He’s attracted to it.

The darkness in him is far greater than mine.

I’m aware of that. But his darkness doesn’t scare me.

Nothing about him scares me. Everything about him makes me wildly obsessed.

The only fear I have towards him is a type of fear that turns me on.

I’ve come to trust that even when it seems as though he might hurt me or push too far - he still respects my limits.

Not that I know what my own limits are yet.

But I’m sure Vincent will help me find them.

He strokes his thumb across my lips and leans down to kiss me. My heart races and my skin tingles.

His mouth brushes over mine and my body begs for him, but Vincent pushes me away and gestures towards the cupboard. “Now, go get those bowls and make us some breakfast.” He smirks.

“Yes, sir.” I grin cheekily. And when I bend over this time, I make a show of it, confident that I won’t get my ass slapped again, but determined to make him want to. I love pushing his limits.

His dark laughter rolls through the air behind me and makes my heart happy. “You are a naughty one, aren’t you?” He sighs.

Vincent leans against the kitchen counter watching me, holding his bowl of cereal in front of himself. His eyes are glued to me, sitting on the counter, and swinging my legs as I eat my colorful cereal. “That stuff isn’t good for you.” He remarks.

I scrunch my nose at his brown, boring cereal box. “No - that stuff isn’t good for you. It’s depressing. My one is fun.”

He shakes his head. “Fun. I guess that’s all that matters.” He laughs.

“Little raven, I was thinking you could invite your mother over for dinner.”

My heart clenches tightly and panic rushes through my blood. “My mom? Why?” she can’t come here. She thinks I work for an old couple, taking care of their home and them. She doesn’t even know Vincent exists.

“So, she can see where you work, and I can meet her. It’s your mom after all.”

“I haven’t met your family, why do you want to meet mine?

” I say defensively, searching for ways to make him think about something else.

It’ll be so bad. My mom will be furious that I lied to her about who I was working for.

She’ll find out I’m involved with a man who is in the mafia. It’ll be a complete disaster.

He smirks, his gaze piercing straight through me.

He knows I don’t want my mother here. He just doesn’t know why.

“Alright, well, when you’re ready - you can feel free to invite your mom over for dinner.

” He says. It’s obvious how horrified I am by the idea.

“And you’ve met my son. I can arrange for you to meet all of them if you’d like? ”

I nod. “Ok. I’ll let you know when I’m ready.

” I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to tell my mom the truth.

And I’m not sure if I’m ready to meet all of his kids yet.

I enjoy living in this world where it’s just Vincent and me.

I enjoy pretending no one else exists. This world, with him - it’s all I need.

But now I’m thinking about my mom and guilt weighs down on me. I don’t like lying to her. But I also don’t like to make her worry. It’s the things we do for each other. She doesn’t ask questions, and I don’t volunteer information. That way I’m not lying and she’s not worried.

I’m sure she worries, anyway.

I should call her today. Say hello. Catch up.

I’ll do that after breakfast.

Besides, the agent I was talking to last week sent me a message that he might have found a new place for her. I’ve been trying to get her to a new apartment - somewhere safer - I wanted to surprise her with it and today might be the day.

I huff angrily into the phone. “What do you mean my credit record is bad?” I snub at the agent.

“We can’t rent the apartment to you; the owner isn’t comfortable with your financial status.”

“But I earn enough.” I whine, frustrated, leaning forward in the sofa, and resting my elbows on my knees.

“At the moment yes, but your employment - your track record?—”

Sighing, I give up and hang up the phone. That conversation was over anyway. I wasn’t getting anywhere.

Pressing my fingers into my eyes to massage away the headache building, I toss my phone onto the pillow of the sofa next to me and lean back with my knees pulled up against my chest.

“What’s wrong?” Vincent asks, wandering into the living room.

“Nothing.” I shrug.

“Misha, I asked you a question. Don’t nothing me.” He says, his voice dropping, deep and authoritative. I bite my lip and debate whether I want to involve him in the surprise I’m trying to arrange for my mom.

After a moment he warns me again with his head tilted and his eyes narrowed. “Misha.”

“I was trying to get my mom into a better apartment in a safer part of the city. The place she’s in now, the place I lived in with her, it’s horrible. Tiny. Damp. Moldy. Not safe. Noisy.” I sigh.

“Ok, and what is the problem?”

“No one will rent to me. My - um - track record .” I smirk, knowing that he met me the day I threw boiling oil onto my boss, so he knows all about my track record with things.

“I’ll sort it out by the end of today.” He says, waving his hand in the air and dismissing my concerns.

“What? What do you mean?”

“I own half the city, little raven. I’ll have an apartment ready for your mother by the end of today.”

“No - I can’t ask you to do that, Vincent.” I say nervously.

“You didn’t ask. And I didn’t give you a choice.”

“I can’t afford the types of properties you own. I just wanted her out of the worst area. I can’t afford the best area.”

He chuckles. “Little pet, I will have a contract drawn up. A five-year rental at no charge. Your mother will have a guaranteed place to stay for the next five years at no charge.”

I blink at him in disbelief. “She will never accept that.”

“Don’t tell her. It will be a contract between you and me. Tell her you’re paying for it with what you’re earning at your new job.” He shrugs.

“Are you serious? Why would you do that for me?” I ask in shock. Five years is a commitment.

He steps close to me and wraps his hand around the back of my neck, pulling me to my feet and up against his chest. “Because I take care of what belongs to me. And you belong to me little pet.”

On my tiptoes I wrap my arms around his neck and pull him low, towards my lips, pressing them against his, I kiss him and the warmth of his body rushes over me.

“Thank you.” I whisper against his mouth.

“Anything for you.” He whispers back, and for some reason I believe him.

I’m terrified to think that what is going on between us is anything more than a game, but it feels like so much more.

I pull away as my heart beats too fast. I am lying to myself.

I am just a game to him. But that’s ok. My mom will have somewhere safe to stay, and I will keep saving my money - so that when this game is over our lives will be better because of it.

“Are you ok?” he asks, noticing my tension.

“I’m just so grateful. No one has ever done something like this for my mom and me. And I want to call my mom and tell her the surprise.” I smile tightly, worried about my heart, trying to tell it not to get attached.

He smiles back at me, his eyes piercing into me. “Good, you do that. I’ll go sort everything out and make the arrangements. You can tell your mom that a moving truck will come and assist her this afternoon.”

I giggle. “She doesn’t need a moving truck. We don’t even have any furniture. Just a normal car to carry four or five bags of her things.”

“I’ll make sure it’s a furnished apartment then.” He says, walking off.

When Vincent is out of the living room, in his home office, I pick up my phone to call my mom.

“Hi mommy, how are you?” I say excitedly.

“The same as always.” She smiles into the phone. “How’s work? You sound thrilled, so I assume you haven’t been fired yet.” She laughs.

“Ha - Ha.” I snap sarcastically. “Actually, things are amazing. I’m doing really well, and they’ve signed me up for a long-term contract of employment here - so - I have a surprise for you.”

I pause for dramatic effect, and I can sense the tension pouring from my mother.

“What is it, Misha?” She asks when she can’t take it anymore.

“I’ve rented you a new place in the city. A safe, more beautiful place. Somewhere you can call home without worrying about anything. I’m paying for it.”

“Misha - no. I can’t accept that. You need to save your money for your future. I’m perfectly fine where I am now and?—”

“No, mom. You’re not fine. That mold will make you sick.

The damp gets into your chest and makes you sick.

The noise from the streets keeps you up at night and not sleeping makes you tired, which will make you sick.

You’re not fine there mom and I need you.

I need you to be healthy and happy. Besides, it’s already done.

It’s too late to argue. I am sending a car to fetch your things this afternoon and you’ll be in the new place by tonight. ” I say proudly.

“Misha this is - this is crazy.” She stammers in disbelief.

“I know. I love you too.” I laugh.

She laughs, it sounds like relief and confusion. Then she cries.

“Mom?” I say nervously.

She giggles, taking a moment to gather herself. “I’m so proud of you, baby.” She says, her voice tight with emotion. “I’m really proud of you.”

The smile stretched across my face is bigger than it’s ever been.

“I love you so much, mom. I’ll send you the info later today once the moving car is arranged. You can pack in the meantime.”

“Alright.” She says, then after a little pause she adds. “I’m really excited.” With a laugh.

My heart swells with happiness.

“Love you. Talk to you later.”

“Come on, let’s take a drive, little raven. I’ll show you the place your mom is moving into.” Vincent says, sliding his phone into his pocket as he walks towards me. I jump up to follow him and he slips his arm around me, pulling me close.

I’m terrified.

Because I might be falling in love with him.

And he doesn’t seem like the kind of man I’m supposed to fall in love with.

But my heart is a wild creature. An untamed, uncontrollable creature.

And I can’t help who it falls in love with.