Page 54 of Sins and Virtue

The full moon was at its peak, staring down in sullen peace, yet I was stricken with cruel catastrophizing. Somehow my body found its way back to the dormitory. My hands were on the knob as I resisted. The floating quietness was nearly disturbing, as I had no one to welcome me back.

Something he did every day, every time I came back.

I twisted the knob and pushed the door wide open. Observing the room, the only thing that was there was the glimmering moonlight. The place was untouched.

He was actually gone.

“Please come back,” I whispered, my desire burning, my heart withering away like a dying flower. My nails seeped into the base of my palms.

Then the door creaked, closing behind me as a rough Russian voice called to me, “Never left,kotyonok.”

Please be there when I turn around.

Spinning around on the heels of my feet, I saw him in his bandages and blue jeans as he leaned back against the door.

“Thank god!” I sprinted and buried my face in his warm chest, barely wrapping my hands around him. Squeezing him close, inhaling his musk scent as he grunted, reminding me of his condition. Softly, I pulled my face away and loosened my grip. “Sorry.” I faintly giggled.

He kept one hand around my waist, keeping me close as he stroked my hair and looked at me. “Did you really think I left?”

A tight knot squeezed my throat shut as I nodded.

“I’ll never leave without saying goodbye to you, Blair.” His words were a sacred vow, one too precious to question or ignore.

“Promise?” I whispered.

The singular word wavered in the air, as in his gaze there was one thing that mattered: me.

“Promise.”

And that was all my heart needed to know I was totally screwed.

Chapter 8

Konstantin

“I’m going with you.” Blair said with conviction, heading after me through the window in an “inconspicuous” corseted white lace dress, a veil perched on the edge of her crown, and black heeled boots. Which contrasted against my black ribbed shirt, blue jeans, and boots she had gotten me from a donation event.

I drew my arm out, halting by her waist. The small moment of touch chafed a frenzy beneath my fingers, craving more of her skin. “Like hell you are.” I grated out.

She took precisely five steps back, making sure there was distance between us.

There wasn’t ever a time I thought I would reject having a woman— especially one so intoxicatingly beautiful— by my side.

But this was the exception.

It was difficult to deny her anything, but I couldn’t drag her into any more of my problems. If I did, she would become atarget. And with all the shitload on her plate, I refused to add more. Especially when I’d received word via the messenger bird to show up tonight at midnight at a secret location a few days ago.

“You don’t even know the city!” she exclaimed, throwing her arms up. “What if you get lost? Hurt? Or worse?”

Like what shot? Bruised? Killed?

Oh please.

Wait a sec.

Oh, was that what this was about? She was worried about me.

Satisfaction charged at my chest, elated at the fact I was somewhat on her mind, just like she was etched into my mind. Unable to get rid of her. Forever attached.