Page 139 of Merciless Queen

I scowl, downing the drink in one go, welcoming the burn. After I kill Zeno, Anastasia’s next. What’s worse, is she’s forced me into this situation in the very place Zeno and I first met. There’s no parallels, though. Only a full circle coming to a close.

“You’re free to leave.” He gestures to the staircase, and somehow, I highly doubt I am.

“Not until you go first.”

“After we drink.” He stretches toward my empty glass, keeping his eyes on me while he pours. “Then I’ll leave.”

“I don’t understand why you’re here.”

Silently, he reaches into his pocket and retrieves that blasted black ring box from earlier. He tosses it onto the table beside my glass, which I quickly swipe away and lean against the two-seater leather couch.

“Is it me or marriage you’re avoiding?”

It’s what you represent.“Both.”

My answer seems not to affect him whatsoever based on his blank expression and half shrug. “Because I lied to you, so you don’t trust me.”

“Is there any other reason I’d need?”

“You’re scared to get close to anyone.”

God, what is it with people?“It’s like you all took the same fucking psychology course.” My teeth slide painfully together.

“Is it a lie? You lived with your father, your uncle, and you worry about a repeat situation.”

“You stated as much,” I say in a flat tone. “That you’d control both while I sit back and do nothing. Which is why everything you said to me at the bar earlier was a lie.”

He looks down at his feet, speaking to them rather than me. “I’ve watched you for years. Saw your beauty within picturesand from afar, but it wasn’t until meeting you that I realized how fucking wrong I was.” His eyes flash up, unpeeling me inch by inch as he continues. “Because you’re more than just a pretty face, Volkov. Down there...” He gestures to the dance floor behind and beneath us. “I realized how dangerous you were, and how focused I’d have to be for this takedown to work. You exuded confidence. You flourished with temptation like a rose I wanted to pluck, even when your thorns would slice my hand. The pain I’d receive would be worth it to get a kiss from you.”

“Poetic.” And another lie because my thorns meant nothing to him when he planned on stripping them and discarding the dead flower I’d then be.

“From the moment you approached me, you broke me. I found myself wanting to know you for all the reasons I shouldn’t.”

“It’s called lust.” Bringing my glass to my mouth, I force a sip to hide my shaky hand.

“Maybe, because after that initial taste, it was impossible to remember who you were. Who your family is, and why I couldn’t keep you as mine, even when every fibre of my being begged me to. You and I were generals in the war who inherited the battle plans from our fathers. Maybe that’s why I fucked up that night. Why I missed. When you were in my house, the lines began to blur.”

Blurred lines along with blurred morals.

“What are you saying?” My mind races and slows all at the same time. My heart pounds while stuttering silent. I’m cold and hot. Stuck between wanting to run away and stay right here.

“I’m saying there’s a reason I kissed you the day you risked your life all to test the possibility of freedom. Why every day for the past month, I can’t stop thinking about you.”

Blood rushes through my body at an alarming rate, like every part of me wants to meet Zeno halfway and accept what he’ssaying. I can’t, though. It’s not in my plans. Opening myself up to be hurt again.

I…I don’t know how to do this.

Zeno stares.

I look away.

He takes my silence as he should—and my heart shatters knowing he does.

Pain flits across his expression, but then he nods once, swallowing his heartbreak through a large swig from his glass, downing the drink in one go with very little sign it’s affected him.

“Game’s up, Volkov, and I lost. I see that now. I’ll return to Italy and you’ll never hear from me again. I’ll get my lawyers to draw up a divorce agreement.”

Still not looking at me, he stands, brushing a hand down his shirt, and I find myself craving his gaze.Needinghis emerald eyes on me just one more time. When he takes a step away, my stomach lurches. It makes little sense, considering this is all I’ve wanted since he tossed the marriage certificate my way.

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