Page 84 of The Councilor

“Drinks all around,” the bartender said in English. “Papa. Look who the cat dragged in.” The yell wasn’t acknowledged right away but when a man came rumbling from the back, the various customers parted ways.

The old man’s eyes lit up like a firecracker. He mentioned something in Russian and Aleksander grinned.

“English, old man. English. My bride to be doesn’t speak Russian. Yet. But eventually, I’ll teach her.”

Another eruption powered through the place and it was so different than any place I’d ever been to that I instantly felt at home. The cheers continued even as the older man screamed out for lively music.

I hadn’t noticed a small band in the back that immediately broke out into some folk music and almost everyone in the place started dancing. It was so odd to me, so refreshing that it was as if I was seeing my man for the first time.

And through other people’s eyes.

In the next several minutes I was required to dance with one man after another, all the while Aleksander keeping a watchful eye on me. As I was handed a shot glass of clear liquid, my fiancé admonished the bartender but took one for himself.

What struck me most of all was how my heart lurched, the emotions I’d felt for Aleksander instantly stronger.

I never would have believed there was any chance at finding lust, let alone love, in an arranged marriage.

But I’d been wrong.

Very, very wrong.

CHAPTER 23

“My love for you spans over the lines of my past, present, and future. You are what I love remembering, what I love experiencing, and what I love looking forward to.”

—Steve Maraboli

Raphaella

Love wasn’t on my radar. It had never been. Given I’d never seen real love through the eyes of my parents while also not being allowed to be close to anyone, I didn’t have the experience or know-how. I wasn’t even certain I knew what it felt like.

What I did know was that as I’d leaned my head against his shoulder on the way home after an incredible dinner, I’d felt butterflies swarming my stomach the entire time. Even my hands were clammy. In different circumstances, I would be certain I was coming down with something, but tonight my mind told me something else.

Still, I refused to be a fool, uncertain I could say the words. I had to be cautious because in the world of crime syndicates, love was frowned upon. A weakness. That much I knew without question.

Now I’d retreated to the beautiful bedroom, digging through my duffle and finding the single nightgown I owned. I normally slept in cotton PJs of some kind. That’s what you wore when you had roomies. It was left over from purchasing it for a then boyfriend, or I thought he’d been one. What a fool I’d been. He preferred drinking with his buddies, ignoring me pretty much entirely the single time I’d put it on.

That had been it. I’d left his apartment and he hadn’t even known. It had taken him two days to call me, acting as if nothing had happened. Maybe that was when I’d sworn off men.

Whatever the case, as I stood in front of the mirror, I liked the fact it was slinky without showcasing all the goods. While Aleksander had been reflective after we’d left, I was determined to spend some quality time with him.

Maybe because I was highly emotional for about a dozen reasons.

But for the entire night, I’d done a good job of forgetting about almost being killed and the bullet-riddled car he’d driven me back to his home in.

As I walked through the shadows, realizing only a few lights were on in the house that I could see, I wasn’t certain where I’d find him. He was back on the second floor, outside on the deck staring out at the full moon shimmering across the water.

I stood in the open doorway, watching him intently. He was truly the most handsome man in the world and so powerful.Everything about his behavior was different than inside the courtroom. The dichotomy was something I would never forget.

Maybe it allowed me to respect him more than before.

His entire body tensed, the man straightening up from leaning over the iron railing. When he turned around, the darkness couldn’t hide the way his eyes pierced mine. I was lost in another vacuum, my heart racing more than it had before. I wondered if he had any idea what he’d done to me, stripping me of my last defenses. In baring not only my body but my soul, I’d lost the last of my inhibitions.

There were no words to be said, no misunderstanding of the way I felt about him. The emotions were too strong, my body craving him more than I’d thought possible.

I needed to kiss him.

Touch him.

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