Page 55 of Stolen Seconds

That’s what it felt like where Luca was concerned. He made me impulsive and lose control of my senses until all I could focus on washim.

It infuriated me that he affected me at all, let alone invoke any sort of feelings from me.

I paced my room, wishing I could rewind time and not have given into this dangerous game. I was evidently losing and as the days went on, it was harder to end it.

Pulling my phone out of my pocket, I clicked on my father’s name.

After one long ring, he answered, “Printsessa.”

“Papa.”

“I’ve been waiting for your call.”

My heart thumped against my chest; his tone suggestive but to what? I didn’t know.

“I would’ve called sooner.” I walked to the window and sat down on the bench to peer at the night sky. “But things are different than I expected.”

He cleared his throat. “How so?”

“Nicolai. He’s. . . ” Warmth spread through my chest when I thought of my brother. “He’s so kind and intelligent.”

“And?”

I leaned my head against the glass, the coldness seeping into my skin and calming me. “And he deserves better.”

The line was silent, and I wished I could have had this conversation in person to gauge his reactions.

A part of me wanted to tell him more about his son but a bigger part of me was selfish.

“Tell me you haven’t lost sight of the reason for your visit?” he asked, sounding almost disappointed I would even think otherwise.

“No,” I whispered. “I haven’t.” How could I forget when it loomed over me like a gray cloud?

“There’snothingI should worry about then, right?”

“Is there something you’d like to say?” I asked, annoyed at his patronizing tone.

“Viktor informed me about your recent meeting.” A nauseating sensation crawled up my spine, my blood running cold. “Said you were wearing Luca Canaveri’s jacket.”

My ears rung as I steadied my breathing. “It didn’tmean anything.”Lie.

“And I believe you,Printsessa.You’d never stoop so low as to get involved with one ofthem,” he said confidently, my stomach churning at the surety of his statement.

I was already involved because of Aurora but he already knew that. What he really meant was, I’d never get involved romantically in any way shape or form unless it was to serve his agenda.

“No,Papa.” It sat bitterly on my tongue.

“Remember what I taught you, Irina. Beauty is deceptive and yours can be used as a weapon.”

“What if I didn’t have it?” The words slipped off my tongue faster than I had time to think about it.

I waited tensely for his answer, the clock on the wall ticking away, expanding the silence.

“That would never happen.”

I slumped back, my palms clammy. Not a ‘You’d still be my daughter’ or a ‘You’re more than your appearance’ but a useless reply that didn’t hold any value to it.

My chest ached with the energy it took not to break down.

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