Page 36 of Disguised as Love

“No? I could have sworn I heard you playing one of her songs earlier on the piano,” Volkov said. “I think she had a son who’d be about your age. He shot and killed her stalker if I remember the story right.”

I heard Raisa’s inhaled breath, and if I did, the other two men had as well, but I didn’t dare glance at her. Instead, I continued to meet Volkov’s gaze with one that didn’t waver.

“Really? Sounds like someone I’d like to meet. Sounds like he knows exactly how to defend those he cares about.”

Volkov’s lips twitched as if I’d amused him.

“You are unexpected. Most of the time I hate surprises, but for some reason, you are giving me great pleasure.”

Raisa rose from the sofa, journeying to me on steady feet that belied the panic in her eyes. She rested a hand on my shoulder and said, “I think the time difference is finally catching up to me. Shall we go to bed, Antonne?”

I wanted to take her to bed for multiple reasons. To get her out of the men’s eyesight, to tuck her away into safety, and because my body wanted to be beside her, finding out everything that made her beg and moan. But I didn’t respond. Instead, I moved my piece across the board and met Damien’s eyes.

“Checkmate,” I said quietly and then rose, twining my fingers with Raisa’s.

“Mamochka, do you want to come upstairs, too?” Raisa asked, drawing us to a halt in front of her mother. Manya nodded, and the three of us made our way to the door.

“Goodnight, my friends,” Rurik said to our backs. “I will be here until there is nothing else you need.”

None of us responded. Instead, we journeyed up the stairs to Manya’s room.

Manya turned to Raisa with eyes full of tears. “You shouldn’t have come back, Raechka. Especially not with…” Her eyes drifted to me and back to Raisa. “But maybe he is the only way you will get out of this.”

“After the service, we should all leave,” Raisa said quietly.

Manya shook her head. “Where would I go? My girls are in the United States where I am unwanted. Malik is here. My children are all I have left.”

“Georgie has connections, Mama. She and Mac are coming for the funeral. I’m sure Mac and his family can get you into the U.S. again. They got you there for her wedding.”

“I’ve told her not to come. I don’t want her here.”

I could tell this was news to Raisa. Last she’d said, her half sister and her husband were coming as soon as they had the details of the funeral.

“Mama?”

“Enough talk. I made my bed a long time ago. This is where I will stay, but I don’t want my girls here. I don’t want you caught in the mire. You’re both changing the world, making things better, and the world would be worse if either of you were tied to a life here. I’m so proud of you both.”

She kissed Raisa’s cheek before going in and shutting her door quietly in our faces.

Raisa made a guttural sound, like a wounded animal.

I wrapped my arm through hers and pulled her down the hall to her room.

Ilia was there, looking as tired as he had earlier. His pale pupils were barely visible against the whites of his eyes in the dim-lit hallway. He would be a scary son of a bitch to meet in a dark alley. I hoped he was enough to keep some of the wolves at bay.

Raisa opened her door and would have shut it behind her if I hadn’t held it open.

“We need to talk,” I said.

“Can’t it wait? I’m exhausted.”

I shook my head. “You know it can’t.”

Ilia’s eyes squinted at me as if he would attempt to toss me down the hall for forcing myself on her, but I wasn’t the one he needed to worry about. The Volkovs were up to something, and Raisa was stuck in the middle of the web they were weaving.

She left the door open and moved farther into the room. I followed, looking back at Ilia. “You good?”

He nodded but hissed, “I like you, but I will kill you if you hurt her.”

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