Page 133 of Cruel Knots

“Some of them have gone to collect the food for the evening,” she says, leaning over a vase of yellow roses. Inhaling deeply, she closes her eyes, seemingly enjoying the pleasure of their heady scent.

“What about the valets?”

She straightens up and inspects her nails. “We’ve hired some people for serving and entertaining. They’re specialized in serving at parties and keeping shut about whatever they witness there.”

Damien, Leon, and Mikhail have been absent over the last few days. Lilja told me they were busy with the arrangements for the upcoming party but left out the details that were keeping them occupied.

“Let me take you back to your room,” Lilja says as a group of men walks past us, carrying a heavy statue of a scantily-clad woman between them. “We’ll just get in their way.”

I nod and follow her down the hallway to reach a staircase.

“Do you have everything you need for the evening?” she asks as we reach the second floor.

I think of the gorgeous gown hanging in my room and the lavish spread of makeup products, jewelry, and perfumes crowding my vanity table.

“Yeah,” I say as pure excitement zings through me. “I can’t wait for tonight.”

Lilja gives me a sideways glance and chuckles. “You’re such a naïve little doll,” she says in a soft voice. “Don’t get too excited over all this. Stay on guard. It’s a party but the men coming here tonight are all cold-blooded reptiles. They’re all killers and murderers. Don’t get swept away by their angelic looks and perfect smiles.”

Her warning shatters my imagination.

It doesn’t matter though, I think, stepping into my room. It’s going to be different from the parties I was forced to attend at home.

I was used to walking around and smiling at the men Callum brought home. Their faces were clean-shaven and glowing with health but their eyes were shadowed with the weight of their sins.

A heavy sigh escapes me as the door is closed and locked from outside.

I walk toward the bed and sit down on the edge. The gala is still hours away, so I have plenty of time to get ready. Picking up the TV remote, I switch on Netflix and settle down for a re-watch of The Vampire Diaries.

My gaze stays fixed on my reflection in the tall, gilded mirror.

The champagne-colored gown I’m wearing shimmers with my every move. The deep, plunging neckline highlights my cleavage as well as the large emerald amulet at my throat.

Moving closer toward the mirror, I extend my right leg and watch the split in the skirt part away to reveal my thigh. The gown is sexy-as-sin, highlighting my every curve.

A smile lifts the corners of my ruby-painted lips. This is the sexiest dress I’ve ever worn in my life. The Volkov brothers are still my captors but I’ve never felt freer.

The long length of my raven-black tresses is fashioned into a messy bun. Tiny pearls and diamonds glimmer on the bun while thin tendrils frame my face and neck.

I’m bold with my choice of makeup. Callum always preferred demureness over sexiness. Free of his overbearing presence, I opt for smoky eyes and even add a hint of gold shimmer under my lower lashes.

I’m admiring my matching stilettos when the sound of an opening door makes me turn away from the mirror.

The Volkovs stand at my threshold, looking otherworldly in their lavish attires.

Damien, Leon, and Mikhail are dashing in their black tuxes. Their tall heights and broad shoulders are further accentuated by their tailored suits. Lilja stands in the center, looking stunning in a crimson mermaid gown that is heavily covered in shimmering black beads and stones.

They’re more mesmerizing than the vampires on TV, I think dazedly as they grin at me.

“You look amazeballs!” Lilja breathes, breaking away from her brothers. “You should dress up like this every day.”

“You look amazing too,” I say with a broad smile. “But, don’t wear this every day. You’ll have guys falling at your feet.”

A trilling laugh escapes her as she strikes a pose.

“Stop!” Mikhail drawls. “You’ll embarrass us if you strut around like that.”

“Don’t listen to him,” I mutter.

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