Page 91 of Beautiful Beast

Chapter

Fourteen

ANYA

Both Nadia and Elena freeze at the sight of Alek. It’s up to me to make sure nothing goes wrong.

I step forward, putting Nadia directly behind me. “What are you doing in here?”

“I remember last time we talked you liked to have a drink.” He has a champagne flute in his hand. “Do you want another taste?”

“I’m good.” I learned my lesson from last time. But unlike last time, when I only had myself to worry about, I now have Nadia and Elena to consider.

“Shame.” He takes a sip, his eyes sliding behind me to Nadia. “Who’s this?”

“Nobody.”

He points at Elena, who’s still huddled on the bed. “Then who’s that?”

“Also nobody. Why don’t you leave? We want to be left alone. A girl thing. You understand.”

“Oh, I do.” He makes no move to leave. “But you know, I think I’d rather stay in here. Seems like more fun than downstairs.”

“I don’t understand how. Downstairs is filled with men closer in age to you. Isn’t that who you’d prefer to talk to?”

“I work with a lot of those men. It’s get boring only talking to them. I’d rather talk to you three. You’re much more interesting.”

“Maybe I am,” I say, making him chuckle. The more relaxed he is, the better. “But I’m not sure what you’d have to talk about with a seventeen year old and a fourteen year old.”

The second I say their ages, I realize it’s a mistake. Alek’s eyes light up like he’s seeing fireworks.

“So young.”

“They are. And we wanted to have some girl chat. So …” I motion to the door.

“But from what I understand, Anya, you’re twenty. An adult like me. So, what do you want to talk with them about? I doubt you have anything in common with them either.”

“You’re … what? In your fifties?”

“Forties,” he says sourly. Shit. Don’t insult the man in the closed room with you, I remind myself.

“Right. Of course. I’m terrible with ages.”

“She really is,” Nadia adds. “Can never tell anyone’s age.”

Alek’s gaze zeroes on her like he’s a predator stalking his prey. Subtly, I move back in front of Nadia.

“You’re pretty,” he tells her.

“She’s seventeen,” I remind him.

“You’re pretty, too.” He points at Elena. “Give it a few more years, and you’ll be a smoke-show.”

“She’s fourteen. So, Alek, how about you and I head back downstairs. You can give me that drink if you want to.”

“Anya, stay,” Nadia whispers.

“I’m fine,” I whisper back. “What do you say, Alek? We can spend some time together.”

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