Page 31 of Dancing With Delusion

“She was upset.”

“About?”

“A picture. Apparently, she received one of you and Vivian together.”

“You didn’t see it?” He shakes his head. “So, you decided to take her to see Harriet?”

He shakes his head again. “She asked, Boss.”

I frown, hardly believing that Victoria asked for help. “She just asked?”

“Not at first. She packed a bag and threatened to leave.”

I almost smile as that sounds more like my krasota. “But you wouldn’t let her?” I guess.

“I told her I wasn’t ready to die.”

I laugh. “Thank you, Marshall. Go and get some rest. I’m sure she will need you tomorrow.”

Once he’s gone, I drain my glass and head up the stairs. I pause outside the bedroom and listen. There’s no movement, so I pull out my phone and bring up the security camera. She’s sitting by the window. I try the door and see her glance at it in alarm. “Victoria, let’s talk.” She doesn’t reply. “Please.” When she still doesn’t reply, I drag my wary self to the bedroom next door. I haven’t slept without her since the night she killed her brother—unless you count the one night we were mad at one another—and I hate that she’s forcing me to do it now.

I have a restless sleep and decide to give up around six a.m. Thinking a run will clear my head, I go down to the office and pull out some shorts. I find Nik out front warming up, and he smirks when he sees me. “Haven’t seen you at this hour for some time.”

I shrug, pulling my leg back to stretch. “I need it after that dinner last night.”

We set off together, heading up the drive towards the gate. “Speak with Leo, but even if you’re right and this is purely to keep you close, so what? You make some more money, and it keeps him off your back.”

“Having businesses here implies he’s thinking of spending more time here. Why would he do that when I’m here like we agreed?”

“It’s just opportunity, I’m sure. If Vivian’s father hadn’t met an untimely death, this wouldn’t have happened.”

I side-eye him. “So, you’re saying it’s my fault?”

He grins. “I’m saying you wouldn’t have this stress if you hadn’t lost your cool.”

“And you’re trying to say I wouldn’t have lost my cool if Victoria hadn’t been around?” Everyone seems to be having a pop at Victoria.

“If that’s what you want to take away from this conversation.” He laughs, shrugging.

“Don’t you start too, Nik. It’s bad enough with my father and Vivian. I know she’s fiery, but it’s what I like. And whatever your opinion, it doesn’t count.”

He holds his hands up. “I’m not paid to give my opinion, Boss.”

“Damn right,” I mutter, and I push off harder, taking the lead.

We get back two hours later, after throwing in a gym session. I go straight upstairs and try the bedroom door, surprised when it opens.

Victoria is wrapped in a towel with one foot on the bed while she rubs lotion into her skin. My eyes linger there for a second. She doesn’t bother to look in my direction, and after a minute of me standing in the doorway, I sigh. “You can’t ignore me forever.”

She slams the lid closed on the lotion and places it on her dresser. Then she takes a seat and grabs her hairdryer, blasting it over her wet hair. I roll my eyes and head into the shower. When I return ten minutes later, I catch her eyes following me in the mirror. At least my nakedness still affects her. “I didn’t tell you Vivian was there because it wasn’t important.”

“It was to me,” she says stiffly while running her brush through her hair.

“It would have been another argument that I didn’t have time for.” She slams the brush down and stands, heading for the walk-in wardrobe. “I own half her bar,” I add. “Last night was a business dinner, that is all.”

“And for business you have to kiss her? Touch her?” She throws some clothes on the bed then digs out her underwear from her drawer.

“I didn’t.”

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