Page 30 of Beautiful Cruelty

"I—that's none of your business."

"You mentioned finding him with his secretary three nights ago. Most people either wait longer or don’t come back at all.”

I squirm in my seat, the restraints chafing against my wrists. "Stop acting like you know me."

"I'm just repeating what you've already shared." His lips curve into that infuriating half-smile.

"You still haven't answered my question. What were you doing in that apartment?"

"Perhaps I was expecting you to return my dry cleaning personally."

"At six in the morning?"

"You were there at six in the morning," he points out.

"That's different! It'smyapart—" I snap my mouth shut, realizing what I'm about to say.

"Wasyour apartment," he corrects. "Past tense. Just like past fiancé. Now answer me. What were you planning to do there?" Vadim's question cuts through the tense silence.

"I didn't exactly pack a change of clothes when I left the other night." I try to keep my voice even, but the tremor in it betrays me. His gaze flicks to me for a brief moment, and I cave. "I just... I just needed to shower and change. Before I try and put my life back together."

Something in Vadim's expression shifts as it softens around the edges. His jaw unclenches slightly, and there's this look in his eyes I can't quite read, like he's thinking about something else entirely.

"Where didyougo?" I ask, desperate to change the subject. "After we danced at the Vorobyov event?"

The corner of his mouth twitches. "I was busy."

"Fucking Irina?" The words tumble out before I can stop them. My cheeks burn hot the instant they leave my lips.

Vadim glances at me, his storm-gray eyes dancing with amusement. Then he throws his head back and lets out a deep, rich laugh that fills the interior of the car.

"Stop laughing!" My hands ball into fists behind my back. "It's a yes-or-no question."

"Are you jealous,zvyozdochka?" His voice drops lower, taking on that dangerous edge that makes my stomach flutter.

"Yes!" I snap, shifting in my seat to face him better. "I am jealous. She kept touching your arm, leaning in close, batting her eyelashes at you..." Heat creeps up my neck as the words continue pouring out. "Don't pretend you didn't notice. She practically marked her territory last night."

"So did you."His smile widens, showing perfect white teeth.

"That's different!" I shift against the restraints, frustrated I can't gesture properly. "You askedmeto dance. Not the other way around."

"Then you should know that there's a reason I askedyouto dance, and not her." His voice drops lower.

"Does that line usually work for you?"

"Obviously not last night." He glances at me, storm-gray eyes dancing. "Tell me how it made you feel. Seeing her hand on me."

"Like I wanted to break every one of her perfectly manicured fingers," I mutter before I can stop myself.

I hate how petulant I sound, but I can't seem to stop myself.

"Such violence." His deep chuckle sends shivers down my spine. "I almost didn't think you had it in you. But then again."

He holds up his right hand, and I see where my teeth have left their mark.

"Serves you right for trying to kidnap me."

"Trying? I think I was quite successful."

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