Page 28 of Bound to a Monster

“And yet here you are, my prince charming, saving me from the humiliation of standing in front of all these strangers all alone.”

Lev finally glances at me. His face is hard to read. It's stormy, almost angry, and he moves slightly closer, his grip on my body tightening.

“I told you it was an accident.”

“Why are we even doing this anyway? It's not like you really want to marry me.”

“I didn't realize you were so excited to be my wife.”

“I'm absolutely not.”

His jaw works, and now his attention is fully mine. I don’t know how I feel about that as he moves even closer. Now there are mere inches between our bodies, and I’m reminded how obscenely attractive this man is, even if I think he’s a total selfish asshole. That night plays in my mind again, and I can almost feelthe grip of his fingers on my hips again, just like they’re touching me now.

I shiver, not wanting to feel like this at all, and cling on to the anger instead.

“If this is so hard for you, after we’re through with this dance, you can ask your brothers to take you back home.”

I let out a sharp laugh. “You think my father will be okay with that? What about your father? Or Valentin Zeitsev? I’m pretty sure it’s a bad look, the bride leaving her own stupid wedding.”

“You don’t care what any of those people think.”

“Maybe, but they can make my life even worse than it already is.”

He moves closer. Now we’re touching. My breasts graze his chest, and his lips bend forward to murmur in my ear. “And how badisyour life, princess?”

I stiffen and nearly stumble, but he keeps on smoothly dancing.

“Excuse me?”

“You have more than most women dream about. Money, friends, family, privilege. Are you really so miserable?”

“You don’t know me.”

“I’m pretty sure I’ve met a thousand versions of you all over these crime families. I may not know you, but I know your type.”

A lump forms in my throat. Angry tears threaten, and I fight against them. Fuck this guy, fuck him to hell. I don’t even know why he’s being such a bastard right now, except a little voice in my head actually does.He doesn’t want this either. He’s going through the motions just like I am.

But instead of handling it together, he’s turning me into an enemy.

Well, screw him. Lev thinks I’m just some spoiled mafia princess because he has no idea what I’m really carrying around.

The weight of this truth growing inside of me.

“You want to know why I’m so fucking miserable, you selfish asshole?”

“Go ahead, little fencer. Tell me what could possibly be so bad.”

I pull back so I can look him dead in the face.

“I’m pregnant. And the baby’s yours.”

He stops dancing. His expression is stunned. For one second, he only looks at me, at a total loss for words, as I backpedal and turn. The song ends abruptly as I make my way to my table, face pink with anger and embarrassment, and when I look back, Lev’s smiling again. He’s laughing at something and making a joke, easing the tension, covering over the moment, making everything all right.

Like he doesn’t give a shit at all.

Chapter 11

Carmie

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