Page 84 of Sweet Deception

I needed air. I needed...

I pulled the duvet up to my chin, forcing myself to stay still. Move too much, and I might fall apart completely.

But stillness brought no comfort. When I couldn’t bear it any longer, I rose from the bed, limbs heavy, each step dragging me into the darkened hallway

The house was eerily silent. Something about the emptiness unsettled me.

I checked the living room, empty.

Finally, I made my way to a room I assumed was his study. I hesitated at the door. I could hear muffled voices. A conference call.

I turned quietly to leave, but his voice stopped me.

“Anna.”

I stepped in. He was seated behind his massive desk, the glow from the laptop screen casting sharp shadows on his face.

“Are you fully awake?”

“Yeah.”

He gestured for me to come to him, but I ignored the invitation and sat in the chair across from him instead. If I went to him, he’d probably pull me onto his lap, and I wasn’t in the mood for that.

“I think you’re busy.”

“I’m never too busy for you.” His gaze was steady. “Do you need something?”

I hesitated before admitting, “I couldn’t sleep. I looked for you.”

His eyes softened for a fraction of a second. “I had business to handle.”

Of course. He was the head of the most feared cartel in Moscow. There would always be things to handle.

He let out a slow breath, his fingers lacing together on the desk. “There’s something I need to tell you.”

“What is it?”

He leaned forward. “My grandmother is furious.”

“Okay...” My heart kicked up, but I forced my face to stay neutral.

“I’m angry too. For what she did to you. But I can’t touch her.” His voice was measured, but there was something dark underneath it.

“She controls the old money, the connections, and the alliances that keep our cartel on top. Without them, I’d be leading a kingdom with no army. If I move against her before securing those assets, she’ll destroy everything before I can take it.”

“She’s waiting for me to slip up, Anna.” His voice was grim, edged with something I hadn’t seen before... fear.

“If she finds a weakness, she’ll use it. And you... you are my greatest weakness.”

I sighed. “I’m not asking you to hurt her. I just want to be protected from her.”

His jaw tightened. “She wants something in return.”

I stilled. “What?”

He exhaled sharply, as if the words themselves tasted bitter. “She wants me to divorce you, send you back to Italy, and marry your sister.”

The words hit me like a slap.