Page 132 of Cruel Knots

“I’d love to,” I reply.

“We should work on a dress for you too,” she says thoughtfully. “You’ll be accompanying my brothers, so you’ve got to dress to impress.”

“I still haven’t decided if she’s coming,” Damien says in a grim tone. “I’m not even sure if I’ll be making an appearance either.”

“Lucia is coming,” Leon says. “We have to take this opportunity to declare her as ours so no one else makes the mistake of helping Callum again.”

“You’re our pack’s leader, Damien,” Lilja says in a grim tone. Her face is wiped off all humor. “You have to be there to greet the guests.”

“They’ll all be staring at me,” Damien says, not meeting her eyes.

“Let them,” says Mikhail. “Who cares what they think or say?”

“They’ll be even more scared of you,” I say. “No one knows how you got those scars. All they know is someone did that to you and you still survived.”

He gazes at me. “Will you walk beside me?” he asks. “Will you be able to take the weight of their gazes on you?”

“I don’t like people’s attention on me,” I say honestly. “But if you want me on your arm, I’ll happily do it.”

Damien scoffs. “You’ll be the freak’s date?”

“You’re not a freak,” I say immediately. “Didn’t I prove to you what I like doing with your body?” My cheeks heat with embarrassment as the whole table stares at me but I don’t look away from Damien. He has to know the scars on his face don’t define him.

“Did you get kinky with my brother?” Lilja asks, winking at me.

“I...uhh...”

“Did you give him a lap dance or something?” Mikhail asks, his silvery eyes gleaming.

“No.”

“Leave her alone,” Damien snaps.

“It’s decided, then,” Leon says, rolling his butterfly knife between his fingers. “Lucia is coming to the party.”

“When is it taking place?” I ask.

“Next week,” Lilja replies. She’s up on her feet in an instant. “Come on. We have to find you a dress within that time.”

Warmth bursts through me. They’re all including me among them for the very first time. A smile blossoms on my lips as I hurry after Lilja to catch up to her.

36

Lucia

On most days, the halls and corridors of the manor remain steeped in silence and mystery, but today, the Volkovs are making an effort to welcome their guests.

I’ve never seen this level of activity since being here. All the rooms on the ground floor are being cleaned and polished for the gala this evening. Some people are rolling out carpets in the entrance hall while others are cleaning the weapons and armor on display while a group hurriedly polishes the crystal pieces of a gigantic chandelier.

Big vases of roses, lilies, and hydrangeas are being placed on every surface. Their subtle fragrances pervade the air, bringing color and calmness to the usually shadow-infested corners of the halls.

“Where’d these people come from?” I ask Lilja who is overlooking the work.

“They’re our men,” Lilja says. “We’re avoiding bringing any outsiders here. Who wants the added inconvenience of having to silence them all?”

I stare at her. Killing people was a mere “inconvenience” to her?

“What about the food?” I ask, recovering from my momentary shock.

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