Page 58 of Beautiful Beast

“Bratva women always are,” he murmurs. “I think that’s enough for this morning. I have a lot of work to do today.”

“Ok,” I whisper. “Like what?”

“Like coming up with a plan to stop Dante from attacking. Your father and I are meeting up with a few other men to discuss plans.”

So … that means my father won’t be home today.

“Where are you meeting up?”

“Why do you want to know?”

“I thought we were getting to know one another,” I say. “We were having a moment, you know.”

“I noticed. I’m surprised, actually. I never thought you’d trust me with any information about your mother.”

“I’m starting to see there’s no point in keeping things from you. You’ll find out eventually. And I can only go so long without talking about anything with anyone before I start to go a little stir crazy.”

“So, you’re sharing things with me because you’re being practical.”

“I guess I’m more like you than I thought.”

Smiling, he gently nudges me off his lap and stands up, looking handsome in his suit. “Your father and I are meeting at Ivan Romanov’s house to discuss business.”

“Why are you telling me that?”

“Because I know you’re thinking of going to see your sister. And I won’t stop you.”

I inhale sharply. “You won’t?”

“No. But, Anya, you better not try to run away from me. I will always find you.” He leans down and kisses my cheek. It’s soft and tender, and for a moment, I want to lean into his touch. But I hold back.

And then it’s done. Erik pulls away from me. “Have a good day, Anya. Be smart.”

I watch him leave the house and think about what just happened. Erik and I actually bantered this morning. We actually had a normal conversation. I’ll admit—it’s doing strange things to my heart.

But we both know I’m not going to be smart. My father won’t be home today, which means Nadia will be alone. Sure, she will be guarded, but I’ll be allowed to see my sister.

And once I do, I’m getting her to safety. I don’t care about Viktor. I don’t care if Erik told me that things would be better for Nadia if I stopped trying to save her.

I can never stop.

I don’t even care if I die trying.

Erik even leaves a set of car keys for me to use to drive to my father’s house. Once there, I’m confronted with one of the guards, Simon, stationed at the front of the house.

“Anya? I didn’t know you were coming over today.”

“I’m just here to see Nadia.”

Simon hesitates.

“What is it?”

“It’s just your father said if you came by, not to let you in. He doesn’t want you talking to Nadia.”

“Simon, you’ve known me for years. You know I love Nadia. What am I going to do? What my father doesn’t know won’t hurt him. Just let me see my sister. I’ll stay for an hour, then I’ll go.”

He finally nods and lets me through the large gate at the front. Thank god for Simon. He was always a pushover. That’s one good reason he’s on watch today.

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