Page 71 of Shackled

“I haven’t!” I know I haven’t.

“According to Aleks, you have three burner phones, a wig, plus the knife I found in the bedside table.”

I stare. I blink. “The phones were to call my connections in Colombia without bringing suspicion down on the Romanovs. The knife is for basic protection, and I certainly have no plans on using it. And the wig… my God, sue me if I thought it would be fun to do a little role play.” My cheeks flame to think Aleks saw that. “You’ve been spying on me.”

“It’s my job.”

I narrow my eyes on him. “Oh, really?” I clench my teeth. “How long, Lev? What will it take for you to trust me?”

“I don’t know,” he says, shaking his head, and for the first time, it looks like he’s warring with his own doubt. He anchors his hands on his hips. “Come here.”

“I’m not playing?—”

He reaches for me and grabs my wrist, yanking me against his chest. I slam against his hard muscles. His familiar scent makes me want to cry.

“What are you doing?”

“There’s only one way to get the truth out of you.”

Oh, no, if he thinks?—

His lips crash against mine. Our tongues meet. His dominance and my desire clash. I stifle a moan, instantly wet.

He pulls away and holds my gaze. “I must know if your loyalty is truly to my family alone.”

Frustration and hurt well in my chest. "I’ve told you, Lev. I’m with you! But you keep doubting me, pushing me away. How can we ever move forward if you don’t trust me?”

“How can I trust you when you keep hiding things that point to your guilt? It’s like you’re here, but your heart is still in Colombia.”

My emotions threaten to choke me. "That’s not fair! What more do you want from me?"

He blows out a breath and touches my shoulder. "I want to believe you, Isabella. But every time I let my guard down…”

“You don’t have to prove yourself to me. You can trust me. I never betrayed you. Stop treating me like I did.”

Lev’s eyes flash with a mix of anger and vulnerability. He grabs my arm, our breaths mingling in the heated air.

I will try again. “Show me who you are behind this armor. Let me in.”

He crushes his lips against mine, the kiss rough and demanding. He tears at my clothes, the room filling with the sounds of our desperate need. It’s been days. It feels like an eternity.

He pushes me against the wall, his hands roaming over my body as if seeking silent reassurance. He cups my ass, and I wrap my legs around his waist, pulling him closer. Our movements are frantic, driven by a need to prove something to ourselves. To each other.

He buries his face in my neck. I shiver, imbibing his scent. I lick his neck, relishing the salty taste of his hot skin, and he groans. “Sometimes I wish this wasn’t who we are. Sometimes I wish we were normal people who had normal jobs and worried about shit like, should we get a dog, and when’s the next fucking soccer game?”

I make a sound of disgust. “That sounds so basic and boring as fuck.” I kiss the underside of his jaw, heat rising in my belly, primal need clawing at my chest. I want him inside me so badly I could cry.

“Maybe normal is underrated,” he whispers in my ear.

“Let’s get through this,” I whisper back. “And then we’ll give it a go, mi querido jefe.”

“Deal, mi reina.” My heart surges in my chest. My queen.

“Are you hitting the Duolingo again?” I grin against his neck, and he slaps my ass. I close my eyes and moan.

“Aleks has a new housekeeper who speaks Spanish. I’ve been quizzing her.”

That’s so fucking adorable. I push back on his chest and frown at him. “Is she young and hot?”

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