Page 26 of Sweet Deception (Savage Vow #2)

I already hugged Stefano earlier. Did that count? What he doesn’t know won’t hurt him.

“After this is over, you will give me a list of every man who touched you over there.”

A laugh almost escaped me. “You’re insane.”

“I’m serious.”

“Gleb, I won’t let anyone touch me.”

A beat. “Is your ring still on your finger?”

I hesitated. “No. I removed it since I made everyone believe we’re divorced.”

“But is it with you?”

“Yes, in my bag.”

“Good. There’s a tracker in that ring. I need you to wear it. That’s the only way I can find you.”

I froze. “A tracker? In my ring?”

“Yes,” he replied, steady, unapologetic.

“You’ve been tracking me this whole time?” My voice trembled.

“Of course.”

“I trusted you.” I whispered.

“I protected you.” he countered.

“No.” I snapped, anger flaring hot and sharp. “You controlled me.”

A beat of silence, “...Would you rather I didn’t?”

My head spun.

“And that ring? I forced it off my mother’s burnt finger.”

My heart stopped. “Burnt... finger?”

“She was burned alive.” His voice was eerily calm, but I could hear the weight of grief beneath it. “And my ex-lover? She died trying to save her.”

I gripped the phone tighter, my throat thick with emotion. “Gleb... that’s horrible. I had no idea.”

“I haven’t touched you because I made a promise. My ex-lover’s dying words were for me to mourn her for five years before moving on.”

“And you’re honoring that promise.” I whispered.

“Yes.” He paused. “But I hate myself for it. Because sometimes, Anna, I want to break it.”

My heart skipped a beat. “...with me?”

“Yes.” His voice turned raw. “You think I don’t want you? I want you so much it fucking hurts.”

“Then why hold back?” My voice faltered, tears threatening to spill.

“Because if I let myself have you, I won’t stop. And I’m afraid of what that means... for you... for me...” His words trailed off and painful silence settled between us.

A sudden knock startled me.

“Anna, it’s me. Stefano.”

My heart slammed against my ribs. “Talk later, Gleb.”

“Who the fuck is Stefano?”

“Gleb, I have to go.” I hung up quickly, pushing off the bed.

I inhaled deeply and went to the door, opening it just a crack.

“Hey.”

Stefano smiled, hands in his pockets. “You don’t want me in?”

“I didn’t invite you.”

He placed a hand on his chest, feigning hurt. “Ouch.”

“I didn’t mean it that way. I’m just... not used to unexpected visitors.”

His smile faltered. “You consider me a stranger, Anna?”

Something about his tone sent a shiver down my spine.

“I’m in the middle of something. Can I help you with anything?”

“I just thought we could talk about old times before bed.”

“I don’t like people barging in on me.”

He threw up his hands. “I didn’t mean to intrude. I’ll leave.”

He turned, but guilt prickled at me. “Stefano.”

He looked back.

“Tomorrow, maybe?”

His easy grin returned. “That’s fine. Sorry for disturbing you.”

I watched him walk away before shutting the door.

Something didn’t feel right.

I scanned the door and froze when I noticed a small, barely visible button.

I scratched at it, and when it fell, it emitted a brief click.

My stomach plummeted.

Was this here before? Or had someone planted it?

A bug. An audio recorder.

Which meant... they’d been listening.

I picked up the small object and pressed it back onto my door, my heart hammering in my chest. The weight of what I just discovered sinking in. My father, or someone loyal to him, had been listening to my every word. This couldn’t go unaddressed. I needed to be careful.

I glanced around the room, anxiety creeping in. I checked every corner, every piece of furniture, but found nothing else that could be suspicious. Still, a sinking feeling gnawed at me, what if they had hidden something even more discreet?

I finally allowed myself to relax, if only slightly, and sank back into the bed. My mind raced. I grabbed my phone and quickly texted Gleb:

“I think my father planted an audio bug at my doorstep. Can’t talk right now. Stefano is just one of my father’s workers. I’ll update you as soon as I get news about Tatiana.”

I hit send, but the message didn’t go through.

Frustration flared in my chest.

I copied the text and pasted it again, sending it a second time, but the message still failed. Panic started to rise, creeping in with every second that ticked by. I switched apps, tried turning my phone off and on, and sent it once more. Still, nothing.

The message wouldn’t send. At first, I thought it was just my network connection.

But as I stared at the screen, I realized it was more than that.

My father, or one of his men, must have blocked my messages.

They were onto me. My phone wasn’t just malfunctioning, it was being controlled.

I swallowed hard, my mind racing. How could I get to Gleb now?

I tossed the phone down on the bed, my fingers curling into tight fists.

I lay there, staring at the ceiling, thoughts swirling in a chaotic mess. My father’s watchful eyes were everywhere. I glanced back at my phone one last time before closing my eyes, hoping that sleep would bring clarity, or at least a moment of peace.