Page 102 of Twisted Proposal

The older woman was shorter than me, round, her hair pulled to the top of her head in a severe bun and an apron tied around her waist. I would swear she looked the very picture of a Russian grandmother. She strongly reminded me of my babushka, at least what I could remember of her from my childhood. Right down to calling mekukolka. Little doll.

If it wasn't for the way her sharp eyes seemed to take in everything as she guided me to the kitchen and sat me at the table like a child, I may have fallen for it.

She fussed around the kitchen, preparing something that smelled divine. Onions, carrots, potatoes, and warming spices came together in a scent that was relaxing. Or it would have been if the old woman weren’t watching me so closely as she talked.

She was the housekeeper Artem had sent to see to me. She was to cook anything I desired, get me anything I needed. The way she spoke, she sounded like she wanted me to believe she was there as a motherly figure, or a caretaker. In reality, she was my babysitter and my guard.

Her job was to get me to let my guard down so I stayed where I was told, did as I was told, and she could report my moves back to Artem.

Because that wasn't heavy-handed or creepy at all.

Her job wasn't to tend to me, it was to watch me. She was Artem's little spy, and I couldn't forget it.

She made small talk, which I responded to with one- or two-word answers. It was rude of me, but I didn't care. I needed to remember who she was.

After lunch I sat in the office and pretended to work on my studies, though since I wasn’t enrolled anymore, I supposed there was no point.

I tried getting back to that hall three separate times, and each time I was redirected by the housekeeper.

After the fourth time I was put back in the office, I heard a very feminine voice calling my name.

Following the sound to the front sitting room, I found four women, all absolutely beautiful, standing next to each other with matching smiles on their faces.

"Hey, Artem suggested we come and introduce ourselves and see how you're doing," a girl with dark brown curls and vivid green eyes said, stepping forward. "I'm Samara, Gregor's wife. These are my sisters-in-law Nadia and Yelena. And this is Kostya's wife, Marina."

I stared at them, blinking for a moment.

"Kostya," the girl named Marina said. "Artem's older brother."

"Okay, and?" I asked.

"Girl, you need a drink. Though anyone who is with a Leo deserves a drink," Yelena said, rolling her eyes.

"Hey, I'm a Leo," Nadia said, her eyes wide.

"And Mikhail has our condolences." Yelena gave a nod.

The four girls all started laughing and I couldn't help the smile that pulled at my lips.

I'd rather have continued my search, but I couldn't exactly do that with an audience. If I found something, they could rat me out before I ever had time to use it. It wasn't like I was getting anywhere, anyway, with the housekeeper watching me.

"Well, I smashed the decanter that was in the office, but I'm sure there's at least four more around here somewhere."

"Girl, all these men drink is vodka or whiskey. Since all of us are under house arrest until the menfolk deal with whatever it is they have to deal with, I say we have a little fun." Yelena smiled as she pulled a bottle of tequila from her bag. The other three cheered, and we all headed to the kitchen.

Nadia shooed the housekeeper out of the room, saying something in Russian. Then she found some limes and a sweet and sour mix. She was taking down a blender when Yelena yelled, "Shots!"

I had no idea how it happened, but I found myself on my third shot, my teeth sinking into a bitter lime wedge as I was bonding with these four women who were so close yet didn't hesitate to pull me into their circle. It was...unfamiliar, but nice.

"You have no idea how focused they can be," Samara said, swaying in her chair a little. "Did you know my father made a deal for me to marry Gregor and I was so terrified, Yelena and I ran away?"

"Let me guess, you got two states over and he found you and dragged you back?" I asked, my words slurring only a little.

I wasn't drunk. I was…The room spun when I tried to stand. Okay, maybe I was a little drunk. If I was going to be stuck around this family, I needed to build up my alcohol tolerance.

"Nope," Yelena said, popping the p. "We had them chasing us down for three years."

"Three whole years," Samara repeated with pride.