Page 76 of Ruthless Vows

He shakes his head. “I wanted to, but your sister talked me out of it. She said you had a revenge plan.”

“I did, and it was already in motion,” I say, frustrated, running a hand through my hair. “He didn’t have to die.

My gaze turns upward, meeting green eyes next.

“Adrian, did you have something to do with it?”

“Obviously not. I’m just as surprised as you are,” he says defensively.

My eyes narrow. “You look like you’re enjoying it.”

“Well, yeah.” He shrugs. “It’s nothing more than he deserved.”

“I didn’t want him dead! I wanted him to go to jail and pay for his crimes.”

“What are you yelling at us for? Your boyfriend’s obviously responsible,” Adrian says on an eye roll.

My mouth drops at that. It takes a few seconds for me to absorb that and consider the possibility. But really, if it wasn’t Nico or Adrian, the only other person who could have done it is Ivan.

I swallow softly. Hans died between yesterday and this morning. If Ivan went to such lengths to kill someone because of me, then that means a part of him still cares. Hope blossoms in my chest.

“I need to make a call,” I mutter, getting to my feet.

None of them says a word as I leave, going up to my bedroom. I send Ivan a text, hoping he’ll reply. Just this once.

Me: I know what you did. Please, just talk to me. I promise I won’t bother you again after this.

I don’t know how long I stand there, waiting with bated breath for a reply. It must have taken only a couple of minutes, but it feels like an hour before he finally does reply.

Ivan: 7 p.m. at the hotel, krasavitsa. Ruslan will pick you up.

My eyes fall shut as I let out a relieved breath.

I’m usually a confident person. I walk into any situation knowing I can handle it. But walking into the hotel right now, with Ivan waiting for me on the inside, has to be the most nerve-wracking thing I’ve ever had to do.

“You’ll be alright, Miss Maranzano,” Ruslan says encouragingly.

I turn to look at him in surprise because that might just be the first time he’s willingly addressed me first and spoken to me. He’s in the front seat of the car while I’m in the back, staring up at the massive hotel and reconsidering my life choices.

“Thank you, Ruslan,” I state, because he has to know, right? He’s the closest thing Ivan has to a friend. If Ivan’s bestie is telling me I’ll be alright, then it has to mean something.

I step out of the car and walk up the steps into the hotel. The glass doors slide open and there’s already a staff member in the lobby, waiting to lead me in the direction of the lounge we met at the other day.

I see him as soon as I walk inside. He’s seated, wearing a navy button-down and black pants, and he looks good, really good. At the sight of him, it’s almost like my heart starts working again. Like over the past week when I didn’t see him, it had stopped, and now that I’m in his presence again, it’s starting up with a painful thud.

He doesn’t stand up as I walk up to the table but those intense brown eyes fall on me, tracking my every movement.

“Hey, Ivan,” I greet softly.

“Lucia.” He nods, looking up at me. His tone is cold and unfeeling. “How have you been?”

What is this, a business meeting?

I wish he’d at least stand up so I can hug him. But I understand that might be asking for too much at the moment, so I settle for lowering myself into the seat opposite his.

“I’ve been fine. And you? You look really good.”

His tone doesn’t change. “You always look beautiful,milaya.”

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