Page 51 of Cruel Existence

Oh, God. That was the day. The day the light faded in Luka’s eyes. The day he made me feel like the most beautiful enthralling woman before he yanked it all away.

I pushed back from the table, reaching for my clutch. “Amara, what are you doing?” my father asked.

“I have something I need to do.”

“Not the Novikovs.” He glared at me. “Don’t go near them. Not now.”

“Papa, Luka was important to me. Until you did this. I have to talk to him.” I didn’t feel like explaining where I was going or the million things going through my head right now.

“He made his decision. He doesn’t want to marry you.” The words hurt, but not the way he thought. I didn’t want to get married right now, either.

I stopped along the side of the table. “These family rules are archaic.”

“They have always been a part of our history. Our legacy. Your mother and I made a good match. Sit down. This is our celebration dinner. People are staring at you. At me,” he hissed.

“I can’t. I have to talk to Luka. You don’t have any idea what you’ve done.”

He scowled. “Sit down, now.” I saw how his jaw flexed, and his eyes flickered with anger.

“But—”

“Sit.”

I found myself taking small steps backward until I was in my seat once again. A wave of embarrassment heated my cheeks. I hated being scolded. Controlled.

“Stay away from him. Stay away from the Novikovs. It’s time you start your official training. My daughter isn’t going to follow some playboy around town, making puppy eyes at him. He was Bratva for God’s sake.”

I had to bite my tongue at every insult.

I made it through dinner. I wasn’t sure how I stomached the food. Everything tasted bland now that I knew what Luka hadwrestled with for weeks. The champagne didn’t help much either.

I had to bide my time until we returned to the house. Until the lights in my father’s room went dark. I crept down the massive staircase and fired off a text to Luka. I didn’t know if he would answer. But it was all I had. I couldn’t risk showing up again, not after what happened last time.

I slipped out the patio door and ran into Joey walking the perimeter of the property.

“What are you doing out so late?” he asked.

“Oh. Hi, Joey.” I was hoping I wouldn’t find him or Ciro.

“Everything okay?”

“Actually, my dad needs some medicine. I’m going to pick it up for him. There’s a pharmacy that’s twenty-four hours.”

“I can do that for him. You don’t need to go out.”

“No,” I snapped. “He’s a very private man. You know that. He asked me to personally handle it. He doesn’t want you snooping, Joey.”

If he hesitated another second, there was a chance I’d have to lie my way through this again. I didn’t want either of my bodyguards with me tonight.

“Can I get the car ready for you?” he offered.

I smiled. “Yes, that would be great.”

I thanked Joey when he wheeled up to the front of the house with the car.

“Call if you need anything,” he added, shutting the door behind me.

“I will. I won’t be gone long.” I put the car in drive and edge my way out of the driveway, making the turn more cautiously than usual.

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