Afraid of what he wants. Afraid of hurting me. And I can’t explain why. It doesn’t fit with what I know of him, what I’ve heard about him. But then again, neither does marrying a stranger on a whim to keep her safe, and then giving shelter to her and her son.
He wants me, I think as I dress, putting on a pair of shorts and a bright yellow tank top. If he wants me, I should use that. I should make sure that he doesn’t become so conflicted, so frustrated with the situation that he decides I’m more trouble than I’m worth.
I should be finding a way to get him to understand that it’s fine if he wants me. That I know what he should expect of me, as his wife. That I’m happy to please him, if it means we get to stay here until it’s safe again.
He looked tormented last night. I could do something about that.
I get Adam dressed and head downstairs to get breakfast in the kitchen. We’re halfway through a stack of the best pancakes I’ve ever eaten when I hear the sound of heels clicking against the floor, and turn around to see Valentina walk into the room, clearly looking for someone.
“Mrs. Abramov,” Mrs. Horvat says quickly, brushing her hands off. “Can I help you with something?”
“No, I found what I’m looking for.” Valentina flashes me a smile. She’s dressed in a pair of dark jeans and a flowing silk top in a bright turquoise, her shining, thick, dark hair piled atop her head in a messybun. “I heard that Damian was sending you off on a shopping trip today. I thought I’d come along.”
“Oh, I—you don’t have to do that.” I bite my lip. “I’m sure you have better things to do?—”
Valentina laughs. “I’m bored out of my mind,” she confesses. “Konstantin isn’t giving me anything to do, too worried about keeping me out of trouble now that I’m pregnant. I want to get out of the house, and this is a perfect opportunity.”
She sweeps through the kitchen, dropping down in a seat next to me. “I thought we could start with the spa. A facial, maybe a massage, the works. Manicures and pedicures. And then, I know just the person to do your hair. I’ll get you in today—he’ll do it as a favor to me. And after that, we’ll do that shopping. Lunch in there somewhere too, of course.” She glances over at Mrs. Horvat. “You can find someone trusted to watch Adam, yes?”
The thought of leaving Adam with a stranger makes my stomach twist. “I don’t know if?—”
“Our staff is all very capable,” Valentina says gently, clearly seeing the look on my face. “I’d trust my own child with them. He’ll be safe and entertained all day. And as for you?—”
“I don’t think I need all that,” I try to cut in. “That’s all so much money, and?—”
“You’re Damian’s wife,” she says simply, echoing what he said to me last night. “His money is your money.”
The marriage is temporary.But I can see that argument isn’t going to get me anywhere, and I’m hesitant to say anything. I can’t imagine that Valentina doesn’t know all the details of what Damian has planned—she’s his boss’s wife, after all—but if for some reason Damian is keeping that to himself, I don’t want to say something I shouldn’t.
“I’m just not used to it.” I bite my lip, and she smiles.
“It’s one of the perks of being married to men like this. I came into my marriage with my own money, but Konstantin still likes it when I spend his. They like to feel like they’re taking care of you. Spoilingyou. And you can always spoil them in return. They like that, too.” She winks, and I feel my face heat.
Clearly, Valentina doesn’t know that Damian doesn’t want to touch me—or rather,won’ttouch me. I force a smile and a small laugh, and she pats my hand.
“Finish up, and meet me at the front. I’ll make those appointments and get the driver to come around. Konstantin should be sending security over any minute.”
She sweeps out of the room, leaving Adam and me to finish our breakfast. When we’re done, Mrs. Horvat collects our plates, and I hesitate as she motions for me to head out.
“I’ll keep an eye on him until one of the maids is free,” she says. “Don’t worry, I’ll make sure it’s one of the girls who has children of her own. He’ll be just fine, I promise.”
“Where you going, Mama?” Adam asks, looking up at me, and I smile, forcing myself to not let him see any of my misgivings.
“Just out for a little while, sweetheart.” I lean down, giving him a quick kiss on the top of his head, wrapping one arm around him to pull him into me for a hug. “I promise I’ll be back for dinner. You have fun playing, okay?”
“Okay,” he says, already interested in a pile of berries that Mrs. Horvat added to his plate. He pops a raspberry into his mouth, completely unconcerned, and I let out a breath, telling myself that the trained staff at the mansion can’t be any worse than leaving Adam with an eighteen-year-old babysitter while I’m at work.
Valentina is waiting at the front for me, as promised, looking casually elegant and clearly thrilled to be getting out of the house. I tuck my worn leather purse against me, viscerally aware of the heavy black metal card inside, the one that I found on my nightstand this morning. I have no idea who left it there—I doubt Damian came into my room—but it’s his card. His name is on it, and I must have sat there on the bed for ten minutes after I woke up, just staring at it, feeling the weight of it in my hand. I’ve never seen one of those cards before, the ones that only the very wealthy have. There was a note with it letting me know that it had no limit and to use it as I pleased,which I most definitely do not intend to do. At least, I hadn’t, until Valentina swooped in and planned an entire day of expensive outings for us.
Security turns out to be four men in dark suits, three of whom ride in a separate vehicle, and one who rides up front in the town car that Valentina and I take. She slides in effortlessly, motioning for me to follow her, and as I slip into the cool, leather-scented interior, I feel an overwhelming sensation that I’m completely out of place.
“Do you want a drink?” She gets herself a bottle of water, and I see orange juice, champagne, and other alcohol stocked in the car. I shake my head quickly, then amend, “Maybe a water.” Having an actual alcoholic drink seems like an insane luxury, something I can’t imagine doing.
Valentina laughs, handing me the bottle of water. “You’re going to have to relax at some point,” she tells me teasingly. “You can’t be so tense forever. Damian wants to spoil you. Enjoy it.”
Easy for you to say.I want to say it, but I don’t, not wanting to insult her. I know she means well, but I’ve never been spoiled in my life. I don’t know how it feels or what to do with it. And I’m acutely aware that it must come with some expectations, some strings. I don’t know what kind of game Damian is playing, but no man who is so clearly aroused by a woman gives her a limitless credit card without wanting anything in return.
When we get into the city, the driver drops us off in front of a sleek, modern, glass-and-concrete building withLUXEover the door in slanted gold font. The security follows us at a discreet distance, professional and unobtrusive, but clearly there. It should make me feel safer, but instead, all it does is remind me of the danger that’s out there. The danger that, apparently, requires a wedding ceremony, a Bratva crime boss, and four of his security team to protect me from it.
