Page 26 of Secret Bratva Twins

“I’ll pick out some of my favorite books for you,” he said with glee, his eyes crinkling. “Feel free to use the library however you like.”

My smile eased wide. “Thank you.”

The smile faded from my face when the realization hit me in the gut. Why was I sharing hobbies and smiling with him as if we were two happy lovers? Why did my chest swell so radiantly around him, and why did I enjoy eating with him?

This—us eating together and chatting brought a sense of nostalgia along with it. It reminded me of the things we used to do and how comfortable we were around each other when we were in love.

Right now, I was standing on a thin line between actually hating him and being in love with him.

Maybe half of both. It could be that my feelings for him never changed; they were just replaced by something stronger, such as hate.

My thoughts were a mess, but I couldn’t fall for this man again. I’d loved him, even trusted him, and he only ended up betraying me.

I took in the peaceful expression on his face as he gobbled down a glass of water. His guard was down, it was a chance for me to escape. My gaze darted to the knife, only an arm's reach away from me, and a mirthless smile played on my lips.

He’d trusted me, and now it was my turn to betray him.

Chapter 10 - Maxim

I pretended not to see her pick up the knife and continued eating. It was a useless attempt to deny what I already knew. Gianna hated me, and she wouldn’t hesitate to swing the knife in my direction.

Still, I hoped she wouldn’t. I couldn’t tell her the whole truth about her mother now; she wouldn’t believe it unless I had proof, and I didn’t, not yet. But I was going to find the person who killed her mother, and death wouldn’t come easy for him.

I saw her pin her gaze on me from the corner of my eyes. Lifting my head, I smiled at her. “Why aren’t you eating?”

Her throat bobbed as she swallowed, her gaze darting to the food and back to me. The knife was still clenched between her fingers, hidden under the table. I could tell from the look on her face that she was conflicted.

The part of her that thought I killed her mother wanted me dead. The other half, the part that loved me and probably still cared for me, wasn’t making her decision easy.

She wouldn’t be able to kill me even if she tried, but I wanted to know what decision she would make.

Tucking her auburn hair behind her ear, she forced a smile. “I’ve eaten enough.”

“Will you retire to your room?” I asked, scrutinizing every move she made. To be honest, I was kind of intrigued she would even harbor the thought of killing me in my own home. If she tried and succeeded, my men would kill her before she could even get to the front door.

A sheen of sweat formed on her forehead. “I’ll sit here for a bit.”

She was a terrible liar. I could read through the clamping of her hands between her thighs and her refusal to make eye contact. Her eyes widened when I pushed up from my chair and made my way to her, inclining over the table.

“What the hell are you doing?” she asked, her voice a panicked rasp.

I grabbed her hand from under the table, revealing the knife. “What does it look like I’m doing?”

She tried to pull away, but I tightened my grip on her and brought the knife to my throat.

“Do you want to kill me that badly?”

She skewered me with an unflinching look. “Is there a reason why I shouldn’t?” A wicked smile danced on her plump lips. “Were you expecting me to stay locked up in here forever? I’m not going to be your little plaything, Maxim.”

“I never tried to make you my plaything?” My daze zipped down to the swell of her breasts and the heaving of her chest as she breathed. “I wouldn’t mind, though, if that’s what you want.”

She seethed, pursing her lips. “Fuck you, Maxim. I’m not attracted to you. If you want a whore then I’m sure you know where to find one.”

“I don’t want a anyone else,” I groaned. “I want you. I want to kiss you, eat you, and fuck the hatred you feel for me out of you. I want to fuck your pretty mouth, Gianna and make up for all the years we were apart.”

She laughed in my face. A storm grew in her eyes, and she tightened her grip on the knife. “You won’t get to do all of that if you’re dead.”

I inched closer, inhaling her strawberry scent. “But you’re not going to kill me, at least not today.”

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