Page 39 of Ruthless Reign

Is he staying because he wants something more to happen between us? A shot of something hot fills my veins. While that idea is thrilling, I’m here for one purpose only.

With just him and me alone in the suite, slipping away unnoticed won't be simple. I’ll have to be crafty.

“So it’s settled.” Kira pats her lips with her napkin, looking from Roman to me. “You’ll both stay for another day or two. I’ll send the plane back so you can use it to fly home when you’re ready.”

Roman crosses his arms, looking way too smug. When I finally meet his eyes with a hard stare, he raises his brows.

“Thank you,” I say with a bright smile. “Guess I’m just not ready for the fun to end.”

Kira narrows her eyes. “Does this have something to do with avoiding wedding planning?”

“That might have something to do with it,” I mutter.

Kira stands and loops her arms around my neck. “I’m happy you’re doing something for yourself. You deserve this, you know—a little more time, a little space.”

Guilt pierces through my chest at how easily lies slip off my tongue. But I’m doing what I have to do.

“I’ll make the best of my time here,” I say and mean it.

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

ROMAN

“Are you avoiding me?”

Liza’s back stiffens, and she removes her palm from the suite’s front door knob. She was trying to make a getaway before I noticed.

She turns around slowly, her expression giving nothing away. She’s dressed in yoga pants, a cropped T-shirt, sandals, and her hair is in a messy bun. A gym bag is slung over her shoulder.

Definitely avoiding me.

“Not at all.” Liza straightens her shoulders. “Like I mentioned earlier, I’m spending the day at the hotel spa.”

I cross my arms and lean against the wall beside her, enjoying the way her eyes dip and travel over my inked biceps. “In case you forgot how this works, I’m your guard. Where you go, I go.”

She swallows thickly and tucks a strand of hair behind her ears. “Security is tight in this hotel—you said so yourself. I don't think a man would be appreciated in the women's only spa area.”

“Let’s cut the bullshit. You’re avoiding me because of last night.”

From the moment that Kira left with Feliks and Bogdan an hour ago, Liza hasn’t said a word to me. She’s been hiding in her room. But if it's just going to be her and me for the next couple of days, we need to clear the air.

Her hands land on her hips. “Fine. You want to cut the bullshit?” she challenges. “Why are you here, alone with me, when you could've arranged for anyone else to take over from you?”

She’s too smart for me to lie to her, so I don’t bother trying.

I take a step forward, and she instinctively backs up until she’s plastered against the wall.

With an arm braced on either side of her, I narrow the gap between us. “Because I don't want anyone else looking after you. Not Feliks, not Bogdan. No one.”

Vulnerability flickers across her face before her hands slowly raise until they’re both pressed flat against my chest. My heart pounds against her palms.

“We can’t,” Liza says. “You know that. I think we can both agree that we were caught up in the moment. It shouldn’t have happened, and it can’t happen again.”

I grit my teeth, painfully aware that we can't risk another repeat—too much is at stake. Letting Maxim down by messing up our deal with the Petroviches isn't an option, but I can’t seem to convince myself to wash my hands of this woman. Knowing you're an idiot and doing something about it are two different things.

“What’s the real reason you don't want to go home yet?” I ask. “Scared you won't be able to look your fiancé in the eye?”

She closes her eyes and tips her head back. “You have no idea what you’re talking about.”

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