Page 145 of Silenced

“You’re sure?”

I know I’m probably out of my mind for not snatching at the chance to escape with both hands, but as he turns me about the ballroom, my gaze snags on Nikolai’s.

He’s not dancing with anyone, and I get the feeling he won’t all night. I’m amazed he let Dmitri partner with me, to be honest, though I imagine his son is the only one who’ll be given permission to do so.

As the party carries on, and Dmitri’s one dance turns into two, Niko stays there, sitting on his throne, watching me. Men talk around him, to him, and his hands work as he signs, but his focus is on me.

Only me.

None of the beautiful women in the room.

No one else.

Andthatis exhilarating.

There are women who could be models attending tonight. They’re pristine,perfect. Everything I’m not.

But the Cassiopeia in his eyes transcendsthem.

How couldn’t I find that addictive?

I smile at him. Long, slow, deep. His brows lift, but I can see the fire banked in them.

A fire that burns for me.

And deep down, right in my core, a core that’s coated in his cum, I feel his claim and know that I haven’t wanted anything or anyone this badly in my entire life.

As Dmitri turns me again in a spin, I murmur, “I’ll never forget the kindness you just showed me, Dmitri.”

I can tell he’s relieved that I haven’t taken him up on the offer. “I love him, but that doesn’t mean I think he’s perfect.”

“Isn’t that exactly what love is?” At his frown, I continue, “Loving someone despite them beingimperfect?”

Though he keeps dancing, he grows oddly still, but then he nods. “You might be right.”

I hum.

“I really am surprised you’ve never tried to run away.”

“Farthest I got was the bedroom door at the beginning.” I hitch a shoulder. “Now, I just…” My words wane because it’s too embarrassing to finish that sentence.

Like being where I am.

That’s not PC enough for this world.

“You’ve settled?”

His gruff words have me shaking my head. “No. He drives me crazy most days, but I’ve never felt more like myself than when I’m with him.” I lick my lips. “Every night, he puts his knife either beneath his pillow or in the vanity dresser in the bedroom. I could have stabbed him by now.”

For the first time, I accept that I’m capable of that.

More of Niko’s bad influence…

“But you haven’t. Or have you? And Grigoriy is keeping things from me?”

“I haven’t. I don’t need to.”

His lips purse, but a few moments later, he drawls, “He almost gave the hotel manager a heart attack for you, did you know that?”

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