Page 35 of Beautiful Cruelty

"This is insane," she whispers. "Allof this is insane. Is there no other way?"

"There isn't."

She wraps her arms around herself. "So I'm just... a means to an end?"

The hurt in her voice makes me wince.

"No,zvyozdochka," I say. "You're much more than that. You're a chance to save countless lives. To help me bring down a monster who's destroyed thousands of families."

Lacey rubs her wrists, drawing my attention to the angry red marks left by the restraints. My chest tightens with regret. The urge to take her hands in mine, to press gentle kisses along those marks until they fade, nearly overwhelms me.

But I want to do more than plant gentle kisses along her wrists.

I want to doso much more.

There’s awildnessin Lacey McKinney, a savage desire that I’ve seen only a tantalizing glimpse of.

A desire that is practically screaming for release.

And from the way her body moved against mine, first at the Vorobyov event when we danced, and earlier at her apartment when I had her pinned—both against the wall and the bed—I know she can feel it too.

Especially when I saw how her cheeksburnedwhen I told her that I wouldn’t hurt her unless she asked me to.

"I'm—" I start, but my housekeeper Lenka's footsteps on gravel interrupt me.

"Vadim Petrovich." Lenka dips her head in greeting under her umbrella, kind eyes darting between Lacey and me as she takes in the scene before her.

"Lenka Feliksovna." I straighten, grateful for the distraction from my thoughts. "Would you please show Ms. McKinney to one of the guest rooms? The blue suite."

"Of course." Lenka's voice carries its usual warmth. She extends her hand toward Lacey. "Come with me, dear. You look like you could use some coffee.”

Lacey hesitates, her amber-flecked eyes finding mine again. Questions dance in their depths—about Nathan, about the trafficking, about this marriage proposal and what I’m asking her to do. The dull morning light catches in her hair, turning it to spun gold in the rain, and my fingers itch to run through those silken strands.

But I force myself to remain still as Lenka gently guides her toward the mansion's entrance. At the door, Lacey glances back one final time. The lingering questions in her gaze make my heart flutter.

Only when they disappear inside do I realize I've been holding my breath. My pulse pounds in my ears, far too fast for someone who prides himself on always maintaining control.

She's means to an end,I tell myself.Nothing more.

But even in my head, that doesn't sound convincing.

10

LACEY

I followLenka through the winding corridors of Pankration, my flats shuffling against the intricate marble floors polished to a sheen. The enormity of the mansion makes my head spin and I fight the urge to look around and take everything in.

"Is he serious?" The words tumble out before I can stop myself. "About the marriage?"

Lenka's weathered features remain neutral as she leads me past a row of gilt-framed portraits. “Vadim Petrovich does not make idle statements."

My stomach knots. A man in an impeccable suit passes us, his scarred knuckles and hard eyes at odds with his polished appearance. He nods at Lenka but looks me over with calculation that sends chills running down my spine.

He's not the only one I notice. They're scattered throughout the house like sentinel statues. Rough and scary men who look like they'd snap me in half without blinking an eye.

Whatever they are, they're definitely not your average household staff.

"This is your room." Lenka opens a door to reveal a large suite decorated in shades of blue.

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