Page 46 of The Councilor

“No way. You’re kidding?”

Her reaction almost surprised me.

“No, I’m not. Aleksander Semenov. All Russian and all male.”

“Whew.” She fanned her face.

“You should see him in… less clothes.”

“Well, think of it this way. At least you aren’t stuck with a pudgy, balding man who smells bad.”

We were both able to laugh and speak of the devil, Aleksander walked to the entrance, shifting his gaze back and forth. When he looked at me lately, it always seemed as if the man was undressing me within his eyes.

“I’m sorry to interrupt but five minutes. We can’t take any more time than that,” he said.

“I’m almost ready.”

He hesitated before nodding and walking away.

Jackie fell back onto the bed. “Wow, baby. He is hot. And that accent is to die for. Imagine him in bed, that huge body weighing you down as he fucks you, whispering words in Russian. Wowza.”

“You are incorrigible.” But that’s all I’d been doing lately, other than plotting to drive a knife into my father.

“I am. Is he… nice at least?”

I grabbed the dresses, blouses, and a couple of suits, doing my best to jam them into suitcase number two. “Yeah, he is.Actually, he’s not what I expected at all. Don’t get me wrong, he’s deliciously dominating.”

“It sounds like you already like him.”

Shrugging, I tossed the last few things before toiletries into my bag, feeling heat rising on my face. “The bad thing is that I do. But I can’t stop being angry with my fucking father.”

“I would be too, honey, but I know you. You’ll make the best out of this.”

She trailed behind me when I moved into the bathroom, remembering I had a toiletry bag. “I’m going to try.”

“Does that mean Angie and I will never see you again?”

“I don’t honestly know.”

“What about the wedding?”

“We haven’t even talked about it yet but if I can invite anyone, I promise you both of you will be on my list.”

“Hold on. We won’t be your bridesmaids?” She acted incensed but I knew better. A sadness had finally formed in her eyes, which was exactly the way I felt.

“I don’t know if I’ll be allowed to have any.” My words hit her hard, her entire face becoming haunted.

“Oh. Well, I hope you can keep in touch at least.”

I didn’t have the heart to tell her I wasn’t certain about that either. There was no sense in making her worry more. I closed the case, returning to the bedroom. It took everything I had after shoving it into the second suitcase to zip it closed. But I managed.

“Well, Mr. Bear. Looks like I’m carrying you.”

“Oh, I have a couple books I borrowed. You know, the hot stuff. Let me get them for you.”

“Don’t bother, girlie. I don’t know how much reading I’ll be doing either.” We stood staring at each other as the heaviness of what I was facing settled in. “Give me a hug.”

It felt as if I’d never see her again and I hated that more than anything.

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