Page 232 of Evil Hearts

“I’m serious!” Charlotte grasped her arm, her nails digging into her skin. “They say Dimitri Volkov is one of the undead, luring unsuspecting victims to his lair.” Her lips curved into a wicked smile. “I think he’s already set his sights on you, darling.”

Heat crept up Amelia’s neck as images of Dimitri’s forceful gaze shimmered through her mind. Those mesmerizing dark blue eyes, that chiseled jawline...

She swallowed hard. “Don’t be absurd. He’s merely a wealthy recluse, nothing more.”

“Keep telling yourself that.” Charlotte’s laughter tinkled like wind chimes, mocking her denial. “But when you find yourself drawn to the manor against your will, entranced by hissupernatural allure...” She leaned closer, her breath warm on Amelia’s cheek. “Don’t say I didn’t warn you.”

Amelia laughed, shaking her head. She glanced back at the imposing silhouette of the manor, and it stirred a sense of foreboding in her gut.

Charlotte winked. “All I’m saying is, be watchful. You might find more than you bargained for.”

“You’re impossible.” Amelia smiled, though the thought of Dimitri’s secrets churned with the legends surrounding Shadowfield Manor.

“That’s why you love me.”

Amelia nodded, her heart swelling with both excitement and trepidation. “You’re right, as usual.” She drew in a steadying breath, the floral fragrances of the gardens filling her lungs. “But there’s a strength to Dimitri that’s utterly captivating...and unsettling.”

Her full lips curved into a conspiratorial smile. “Well then, we’ll simply have to unravel that delicious mystery together, won’t we? I, for one, can’t wait to see what secrets our dashing Russian has tucked away.”

A shiver rippled through Amelia, one she couldn’t quite attribute to the gentle breeze. “I want to trust him. Truly, I do. But something deep within me urges caution.”

“Listen to your instincts, darling.” Charlotte squeezed her arm. “But you know, don’t let them blind you to the potential for something extraordinary. Like great sex!” She paused, her expression softening. “You deserve to have your life set ablaze with passion and a good shag.”

Amelia swallowed hard against the sudden tightness in her throat. How she longed for that kind of all-consuming love, the sort that stripped away every pretense and inhibition. To be truly seen and cherished for the woman she was beneath the polished veneer.

Could Dimitri be the one to offer that? His very presence awakened a fierce yearning, a craving for the unknown that terrified her as much as it enthralled.

Charlotte pulled Amelia into a quick hug when they reached their cars. “Now, promise me you’ll stay safe and keep me updated on this mysterious Mr. Volkov.”

“Promise.” Amelia looked back at the ivy-clad walls and towering spires, her inquisitiveness fueled by the enigma that surrounded him. Her heart beat faster, torn between the longing to uncover his secrets and the fear of what she might find.

“Take care, Amelia,” Charlotte called out, climbing into her sleek convertible. “And remember, sometimes the best stories are the ones that scare us a little.”

“Goodbye, Charlotte!” Amelia waved, watching her friend’s car disappear down the long, winding driveway. She stood there for a moment longer, letting her emotions settle.

Once she finally turned toward her own car, she felt exhilaration. What secrets lay hidden within the walls of Shadowfield Manor?

Chapter Three

Amelia wrapped hershawl tighter around her shoulders as the cool night air swept her skin. The moonless sky cast Shadowfield Manor’s gardens in an otherworldly glow, dark silhouettes of towering old trees and tall hedges. Crickets chattered an incessant serenade, while an owl hooted from a nearby tree. Fireflies flickered like tiny lanterns, their light gleaming across the fragrant blooms.

“Are you cold, lyubimaya?” Dimitri’s pronunciation was a deep rumble, his accent lending an exotic touch to the endearment.

“Just a little,” Amelia admitted, shivering. “What does lyubimaya mean?”

“Allow me.” He draped his tailored jacket over her shoulders with a gallant gesture. “It means beloved.”

His fingers grazed her collarbone, lingering just enough to send a jolt of heat through her body. She looked up into his face and smiled.

“Chivalrous,” she teased. “You don’t see that much these days.”

“Old habits die hard.” He shrugged, his lips curving into a smile that made her heart flutter.

“Well, I must say, your old-fashioned manners are nice.”

“You think so?” His tone was flirtatious, yet there was an undercurrent of sincerity that made her pulse speed up.

Amelia smiled at her new friend. “Yes. In fact, I think more men should take lessons from you, Dimitri.” Then she averted her gaze, suddenly shy under the scrutiny of Dimitri’s sexy stare. His gaze seemed to lance right through her, igniting a fire deep within that both electrified and terrified her.

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