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Chapter 7
Aurora
After having another good cry, I have to shove all my emotions in a box so we can get ready for our dinner appointment with Director Koslov and his wife.
Abbie leaves to go to her suite, and as the door shuts behind her, I think, ‘Will I see Misha tonight?’
It takes a lot of effort to shove the thought away as I walk to my bathroom. I pour myself a bath and add my favorite Dior bath bomb and pearls. Once the air is filled with my favorite Blooming Blossoms scent, I strip out of my clothes and sink into the warm water.
Placing a damp washcloth over my eyes, I inhale deeply, praying the soft floral scent will help me relax. I don’t want to be an emotional mess at dinner.
I try to focus on the balmy feel of the water but fail miserably as my thoughts turn to Misha.
Misha.
I can’t stop thinking about his name. It feels surreal finally knowing it after two years.
I replay this afternoon in my mind, unable to reconcile the aggressive bratva enforcer with the man I dreamed about for so long.
He was tender and almost loving with me the night we met. The connection was instant.
I told the man my secrets.
Did he tell me the truth? About him being raised in an orphanage? Was I really the only woman he kissed so tenderly? Or was it all a lie?
No. No one can act that well. Plus, Misha wouldn’t have saved me. He would’ve let me die or, even worse, killed me himself.
So the attraction was real? Right?
Ugh. I wish I had the ability to read minds.
Again, I think about the hatred in his eyes, the viciousness in his tone. It hurts. A lot.
I rip the washcloth off my face and let out a frustrated huff. I wish I’d said something back. Anything! Instead, I just stood there and let his words rain over me like acid.
Letting out a sigh, I pour some body wash onto my loofah and quickly bathe myself. Once I’m done, all my emotions are still a chaotic mess in my chest, and I have no answers to any of my questions.
Not able to cancel the dinner so I can crawl beneath the covers and wallow in my heartbreak, I dry myself off, lather my skin in lotion, and head to the walk-in closet.
Instead of hating Misha, my mind conjures up the fantasy of him waiting in my bedroom.
He sweeps me up in his arms and kisses me until I’m breathless. He explains his cruel words while his eyes hold all the love in the world for me. He lays me down on the bed and worships my body, assuring me I’m the only woman he’ll ever love.
“Stop it!” I snap at myself.
My movements are irritated as I put on a pair of panties and grab an evening gown off a hanger.
I don’t even care what I wear to dinner as I step into the dark jade dress. I add a pair of Dolce & Gabbana heels, and letting my hair out of the clip, I
pull a brush through it.
Ugh, I don’t even want to put on makeup but sit down at the dressing table and go through my routine. For a final touch, I decide to wear the emerald platinum jewelry set my parents gave me for my sixteenth birthday.
Let’s just get this night over with, then I can crawl under the covers and mourn the loss of my dream.
When I’m done, I place my suite’s keycard in a clutch purse and walk to Abbie’s room. I knock on the door, and it takes a minute before she opens for me.
“How do you always get ready so quickly?” she complains as she rushes to her bedroom.
I follow her and sit down on the edge of her bed.
Abbie continues with her makeup, and before brushing on her mascara, she meets my gaze in the mirror, asking, “How are you holding up?”
I shrug. “It’s confusing and heartbreaking. I’d much rather crawl into bed than go to dinner.”
Continuing with her makeup, she says, “Later tonight, we can order comfort food and lie in bed talking so you can get it all off your chest.”
“I think it’s going to take more than one night,” I whisper.
I’ve built him up in my mind and heart so much it might take another two years to break all the dreams down.
“Take all the time you need.” Abbie applies her ruby red lipstick, then she turns to look at me. “But I think you should give him hell. Flirt with him, and the harder he fights, the harder you make it for him.” She wags her eyebrows. “Pun intended.”
“Yeah, I don’t know about that. I can’t flirt with the man if he kills me,” I reply sardonically, resting my chin on my palm.
“That’s the beauty of being at St. Monarch’s,” Abbie says with a mischievous grin. “He can’t kill you.”
“Oh wow, I feel so lucky,” I mutter. “Besides, you’re the one with all the flirting skills. I’m the one who suffers from secondhand embarrassment.” Wanting to change the subject, I say, “That come-on line you used on Nikolai Vetrov was downright cringy.”
“Ugh, I know.” She gets up from the stool and hands her black diamond choker to me to help fasten around her neck. “It’s all I could come up with. The man is unnervingly attractive.”
“Oooh… Is it possible Abigail Sartori has met her match?” I tease as I click the choker’s latch into place.
She turns around to face me, excitement shining from her soft brown eyes. “I have a dare for you.”
“No-no-no,” I say, letting out a chuckle.
“Come on, it will be fun.” As we leave the bedroom, she says, “I’ll try to win Nikolai over, and you do the same with Misha. Whoever gets her man first gets one wish from the other.”
“I wish you wouldn’t come up with these dares,” I mutter. “The last time I lost, you had me jumping out of a plane.”
Leaving the suite, Abbie laughs at the memory. “That was fun.” She takes hold of my hand. “Do it just to show the asshole you’re a mafia princess who doesn’t fear him. Do it for yourself.”
“How will flirting with him show him I’m a mafia princess? I think I’ll only come across as desperate,” I voice my opinion.
“You’ll show him you don’t back down, and you’re not afraid of anything.” She tugs me to a stop at the top of the stairs. “I’m never wrong when it comes to men, and I’m one hundred and one percent certain the
man is attracted to you. The spark between the two of you was hot enough to make me overheat.”
Abbie’s words give me a flicker of hope. In the past, she’s always been right about guys.
“Think about it.” “Okay,” I give in.
We head down the stairs, and as we reach the bottom, I glance toward the front doors. My eyes connect with Misha’s as he blows out a cloud of smoke while handing a cigarette over to Alek.
Like earlier, his intense gaze sweeps over me, from my heels to my hair, then his eyes flick away from me, and he says something in Russian to his friends, which makes them laugh.
I’m too far away to make out the exact words, but from how they’re laughing, I’m guessing it’s about me.
“Come, Ra-Ra,” Abbie murmurs, pulling me toward the dining hall.
When we step into the room, I glance over the tables where other guests are already enjoying dinner. Some look our way, and most of the men take a moment to admire Abbie’s beauty.
I don’t recognize anyone except Director Koslov and Nikolai.
“Lucky me. I get to talk to my Romeo,” Abbie sings, dragging me over to their table.
“Just don’t kill yourself for him like Juliet did,” I mutter.
“Ladies,” Director Koslov greets us with a nod of his head. He gestures to his wife, who looks the total opposite of what I expected.
Hell, I’m not sure what I expected, but it wasn’t a friendly-looking, gorgeous woman. I hope when I’m her age, I’ll look half as good as her.
“This is my wife, Hailey Koslov.” Then he gestures at Nikolai.
“We met earlier,” Abbie says, an alluring smile aimed right at Nikolai. “It was a pleasure.”
“I’m sure,” Nikolai mutters.
We all take a seat, and I end up between Hailey and Abbie, who’s beaming because she’s sitting next to Nikolai.
“Think of your father’s health,” I whisper so only she will hear. Abbie leans into me. “My dad has a strong heart. He’ll survive.”
I shake my head at her, unable to keep a smile from forming on my face.
Hailey looks at us. “Are you happy with the suites you’ve been assigned?”
“Oh yes, the rooms are beautiful. Thank you,” I answer for Abbie and
me.
Plates are set down in front of us, the salads looking like works of art.
“Are you looking forward to your stay here?” Director Koslov asks
before taking a sip of his drink.
“Very much,” Abbie replies, then she gives Nikolai a wink. I’m going to die of second-hand embarrassment tonight.
“Good,” Nikolai says. “I have a strict regimen worked out for the two of you.”
Ugh. He’s going to torture me by default just to get back at Abbie for flirting with him.
“Nothing like a little sweat and pain to get the heart racing. I can’t wait,” Abbie throws back at him.
Taking a deep breath, I glance around the dining hall. My gaze locks on Misha, who’s staring at me with narrowed eyes.
Director Koslov notices the stare-off between us and says, “They’re not sanctioned to assassinate you while you’re on St. Monarch’s grounds.”
“Oh wow,” I gasp, caught off guard by his directness. Before I can stop myself, I mutter, “So freaking nice to hear there isn’t a hit out on us while we’re here. Lucky us.”
Director Koslov is not at all affected by my sarcasm and continues, “While you’re here, you’ll attend combat and weapon handling training. You’ll also have a class where you’ll be shown what to do during a kidnapping.”
“Will Nikolai be our instructor in all the classes?” Abbie asks.
Oh, God. Please don’t say what I think you’re about to say.
“Because I’d love to see his weapon.” Jesus, save me.