Page 16 of Stolen Seconds

With a quick kiss on my cheek, she left the room.

I applied the deep red shade across my lips, relishing at how the particular color boosted my confidence.

Stepping back, I smoothed my blonde hair away from my face. All my life I had been told how beautiful I was, and while I didn’t care for the repetitive compliment, my father taught me how to use it as a weapon of deception. It was pathetic how people willingly gave information to anyone remotely attractive.

The sound of a soft melody permeated the house as I exited the room.

It was as if I’d stepped into a winter wonderland. Twinkling lights were strung up along with multiple Christmas trees standing tall all over the main level. It was grandiose, over the top and festive.

I loved this time of year and the only way I could describe the feeling it gave me was warmth. A small senseof euphoria to be enveloped in a sense of reality that would end as soon as it began.

It made me recall how many holidays I missed with my parents and how we’d never be able to make up for them. Short-lived like everything else in my life.

“Was there a reason you were wandering the manor the night you arrived?”

I turned my head to find Roman standing beside me. He was dressed in all black, eyeing the garland above the fireplace with a head tilt as if there was something wrong with it.

“Doesn’t it get exhausting being aware of your surroundings around the clock?”

He caught my gaze, piercing me with his nearly black eyes. “The way I see it, every single person has a tell.” He stared ahead again. “Once you find it, you can exploit it.”

Of course, I’d known that. I was always alert and ready to strike, if need be, in any situation. Although, allowing Roman to know that would lead him to believe there was more to my story than being Aurora’s best friend.

“Noted, but I don’t have a tell, Roman. You can stop being skeptical of me.”

His lips twitched in what could’ve been amusement. “I always liked you and I can see why my wife is fond of you.”

Making friends had never been appealing to me until Aurora and even then, she had become my only friend. One person you could trust was better than multiple. The more people who knew about your life, the easier it was for them to use it against you.

In my book, this was a small victory. If circumstanceswere different, I think I could’ve befriended Roman but what was the point when I was here to take my brother home.

“The feelings are mutual.”

He nodded and turned on his heel. “Enjoy the party, Irina.”

As the hour droned on, guests had arrived and my palms grew clammy when I spotted Nicolai.

I had been watching him from afar, unsure of when to approach him. Not that I could when the beast dressed in leather was talking to him.

He was a brute who clearly had expected every woman he encountered to fall at his feet with the way he openly winked at me only a few days ago.

As if I summoned his attention, his eyes flitted to me, the caramel in them darkening as they trailed along my body.

I gritted my teeth, my pulse skidding angrily at the way he gawked at me as if he had every right to.

I’ll have to fix that.

I remembered the words he’d whispered to my ears only. The only thing he’d need to fix was his creepy fixation.

“Sorry.” Aurora diverted my attention as she came to stand beside me, breathing harshly. Her curly hair was fluffier, and the sleeve of her gown had fallen from her shoulder. “I was. . . occupied.”

I pressed my lips together. Considering she had staff to make sure everyone was fed and entertained, her definition of occupied did not fall into that category.

“Roman couldn’t wait, could he?” I asked, fixing hersleeve.

Her face flushed with color, but she smirked mischievously. “MaybeIwas the impatient one.”

My head tilted back as I laughed heartedly from her unexpectedness bluntness. When I looked around to make sure no one had overheard our less than holy conversation, I found Luca still staring at me. My smile slowly dropped as my own face heated with warmth.

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