Page 9 of Cruel Existence

I shoved my hands in my pockets and kept walking. I made it to the pool house. I slung back the bourbon and left the glass on a table. I opened the door and closed it behind me.

I didn’t expect the sudden scream when I stepped inside.

My hands rose in the air. “Hey, just another party guest. Didn’t mean to scare you.” There was probably a couple in here fucking. But as my eyes adjusted to the darkness, I realized there was only one person here.

One beautiful, alluring scared person.

“Sorry,” she whispered. “I didn’t think anyone else would come out here. It seemed deserted.”

She stepped out from behind a stack of pool furniture. I almost staggered. I was caught off guard. She had the body of a goddess, dressed in a tight black cocktail dress. Curves. Long slender legs. Elegant features I swore I’d only witnessed in paintings. There was something familiar about her. I tried to place her in my memory. Had we met before?

“I’m Luka Novikov.” I extended my hand.

She smiled. “Amara Martin.”

Her hand fit in mine like a glove. Soft. Warm. Tender. I wanted to thread my fingers through hers and pull her closer. Close enough to study her eyes. What color were they? It was too damn dark in here.

I heard a tiny gasp escape her lips. “Wait, you’re?—"

The door immediately flew open.

“Miss Amato?” A broad-shouldered man hurried next to Amara. His expression was serious as he discovered she was no longer alone. I dropped Amara’s hand.

I realized he had brandished a gun, and it was only a few feet from my chest.

“What the hell are you doing with that?” I glared at him. “Put it down. This is a weapons-free event.”

“Not for security,” he argued.

“I see.” I nodded. “Detail for Ms. Amato?”

Amara groaned. “Ciro, I’m fine. Put the gun away.Now.”

The bodyguard was reluctant to return the weapon to its holster.

“I insist.” I nodded at him. “I don’t think the Petrovs would be happy if gunshots ruined their party. They take offense to those kinds of rules being broken.”

The bodyguard checked the safety, before tucking the gun under his jacket.

“Thank you.” I waited for him to leave, but he remained next to us. “That’s all.” I pointed to the door.

Still nothing.

“You can go, Ciro. I’m fine. Just chatting with a new friend.” Amara smiled. Now that the door was open and an outside light shone through, I thought I caught glimpses of emeralds in her eyes. Fuck. She was breathtaking. Light pink lips. High cheekbones. Her hair was swept off her shoulders and fasted in a rhinestone clip. It was honey blond with streaks of auburn.

Her bodyguard didn’t want to leave her. It could have been the black dress she wore. No man would want to walk away from her.

“I’ll be outside. Not far,” he added. He ducked on his way out. He was a damn giant.

“Sorry about that. He’s only following orders,” she apologized.

She didn’t have to explain to me how it worked. We had brought no less than ten men with us.

“You were saying something when we were interrupted,” I nudged her. By now I knew where I had seen her. I wondered if she remembered.

Her eyes darted to the floor. “Only that I’ve seen you before.” I swore I saw her cheeks sweep with blush.

“Have you?” I teased. “And where would that have been?”

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