Page 17 of Dancing With Desire

“No, I’ve told them we’re not together anymore.” His expression is pained as he says the words, and it’s another blow my heart can’t handle. I move around him and head for the door.

“Good,” I snap, about to pull it open when I feel myself pressed against it. Dmitry’s hands wrap around me, and I close my eyes, enjoying the safety of his arms.

“I love you, mykrasota. More than life itself . . . and I won’t give up on us.”

DMITRY

Just touchingher settles the craving, and I release her, allowing her to leave the bathroom. She doesn’t look back, and when I step out a few seconds later, she’s sitting back at the table.

I settle my bill and leave instructions to cover Victoria’s bill too, then I head for the exit. I’ll speak to Marshall and make it clear I want a full rundown of Victoria’s movements from now on.

I head for V’s, which is just around the corner from the restaurant. Vivian is unlikely to be there at this hour, and I need to take a look at her books. If my father is correct and she’s finding her feet, they should all be in order.

I shake the hands of the doormen as I pass through and head inside. I’m almost through the main door when I hear her shout my name. I turn to find the doormen blocking Victoria from following me. I spin on my heel and march back to the door. “What are you doing here? Where the fuck is Marshall?” My mobile rings at the same time I finish the sentence, and I see Marshall’s name. I arch a brow. “You seriously didn’t give him the slip?”

“Why are you here?” she demands, and I note she looks mad.

I answer the call. “She’s with me,” I snap. “I’ll get her home.” I disconnect and tuck my phone in my pocket before taking her by the hand and leading her away from the bar. We duck inside another bar farther down the road. “Seriously, Victoria, what are you doing?” I ask, turning to face her.

She suddenly looks unsure, and I lower into a nearby booth. She does the same. “I wanted to give you this,” she mutters, sliding a small envelope across the table. I take it and open it, sliding out the scan picture. “I got a couple so . . .” She shrugs.

I stare for a few seconds, my heart swelling with hope. “Thank you.”

“It’s better in real life rather than a photo on your phone.”

I nod in agreement. “I love it.”

“Great. Good,” she answers, sounding flustered as she stands again.

I look up at her. “Where are you going?”

“Home.” She frowns. “I mean, not home but . . . well, back to Marshall’s.”

“I’ll take you.”

“It’s literally around the corner.”

“Let’s walk together.” I stand and hold out my hand. She looks at it for a few seconds before folding her arms over her chest and walking out the bar. I follow, fighting the urge to grab her by the throat and order her to come home.

“Why were you at V’s?” she asks again.

“I own a share, and I wanted to check the books.”

“Is she there?”

I glance back to V’s just as Vivian’s car pulls up. “Fuck,” I mutter, grabbing Victoria and backing her down a nearby alley. She gasps as I press her against the wall and peek out. Vivian is getting out the car, and my father follows her.

“What is it?” hisses Victoria.

“They’ve just arrived at V’s. Do you see why I didn’t want you out alone?”

She also peers out before slamming herself back behind the wall. “Oh god,” she whispers, and I hear the panic in her voice.

I cup her face and force her to look at me. “It’s fine. You’re safe with me.”

“Then why are we hiding in this alleyway?” she hisses.

“I can march right up to them now with you by my side if it makes you feel better,” I snap, “but I want them to think I’m unaware they’re working against me until I have everything in order.”

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