Page 92 of Alexei

It was hard for me not to look at her, regardless of what she wore. She could wear rags and I still couldn’t peel my eyes away from her.

Every word she had ever spoken. Every look she gave me. And every breath she had taken had been engraved in the very marrow of my bones. It’d remain with me until my dying breath.

It was hard to believe that she was here with me. That I touched her.

Yet, the fear deep down in my chest lingered that I’d destroy her. That I’d break her. That she’d disappear just as everything else used to.

“Ready, kroshka?”

I would walk away from her when Ivan was six feet under. I knew I couldn’t keep her. She deserved more. Deserved better. And I couldn’t give her everything she needed. But despite odds against me, I hoped that she’d stay.

She slipped her hand into mine, rolled her shoulders and sighed. “Let’s go see this goddamn orgy.”

I ran my thumb across her palm, her skin so soft under my rough touch. A light visible shiver shook her body and the sadistic part of me hoped she’d get addicted to me so she’d never leave me.

“Orgy, huh?” I said dryly, annoyed with myself for dreaming the impossible.

“I’m not sure what else to call it,” she admitted in a low voice, rolling her eyes. I explained to her earlier that we’d be invited to an event to join Igor and his guests. Ivan Petrov could be one of those men.

We left the large room and stepped out into the large, luxurious hallway. We were staying in one of the old castles. Only in Russia will you see old historic buildings being owned by criminals and turned into some kind of freak show.

As we walked down the red carpeted hallway, Aurora’s eyes darted left and right. The house was lit by electric lights but dimmed low. The thick stones and small windows didn’t allow much sunlight in.

There were dozens of rooms, though it sounded like they were mostly empty. I wondered if Igor’s guests were visiting or staying here. Oriental rugs covered certain walls, murals the others.

Igor seemed to be doing well for himself. He even succeeded in securing himself with a few paintings.

“Well, the creeper has some valuable art,” Aurora commented. “Not sure if I’m impressed or disgusted that someone like that owns these pieces.”

“Disgusted,” I told her.

A soft, mischievous smile played around her lips. “You’re right. Totally disgusted,” she remarked.

We walked down a set of stairs that must have seen royalty descend for centuries. I didn’t belong in such a grandiose ambiance, but Aurora did. She moved with grace, as if she was the queen and all present here were her subjects.

The staff who scurried up and down, kept throwing their glances her way. She didn’t fit the caliber of the usual attendees by Igor.

We passed a large formal dining room and finally approached the ballroom. I noted the grand lobby and front door on the other side and took a note of it. It didn’t escape me that Aurora’s eyes fleeted that way too.

We locked gazes for a fraction of a second and she nodded.

We stepped into the large ballroom, and instantly the room grew quieter.

“Showtime,” I muttered under my breath.

Aurora’s hand squeezed mine and she pasted on her best fake smile. I pulled her closer to me and leaned in, my lips brushing against her earlobe. “Breathe, kroshka.”

She turned to glance up at me and flashed me an automatic smile. Putting on a façade was something she had experience with, considering who her father was. But she didn’t like it. What you saw with this little agent was what you got; and I loved every single thing.

“My guests of honor,” Igor's voice came from behind us. The fucker always did like to stab people in the back. The alarming part was that I hadn’t sensed him because I was so lost in this woman.

Schooling her features, Aurora turned around slowly and smiled at him. It was a perfect smile for a politician’s wife.

“Hello, Igor,” she greeted him, feigning excitement. “What a beautiful home,” she commended.

Igor laughed, and it sounded demonic. Aurora’s expression didn’t change, but her nails dug into my hand.

“I hope the helicopter and plane ride method didn’t offend you,” he sneered, his gaze devouring her body. I wanted to grab the nearest fork and poke his eyeballs out.