Page 78 of Vengeful Embers

Her body collapses under mine. And I wrap my arms around her, drag her into the mess of blankets, and hold her against my chest.

She doesn’t speak. She just breathes.

I run my fingers through her hair until her breath evens out, and she drifts off, finally, in the circle of my arms.

I pull the blanket over us and kiss her temple.

"There’s nowhere for you to escape in the morning, my beautiful Tara."

She shifts slightly, barely awake.

"Tomorrow over breakfast, we’ll talk about Moscow."

She doesn’t reply.

I draw her closer, her back to my chest, and tuck her head beneath my chin.

I press my lips to her hair and whisper, just for her:

"Ya lyublyu tebya."

And I mean every word.

TARA

I stretch, limbs heavy and loose, the muscles in my thighs sore in the best way. My hand slides across the sheet, reaching for warmth, but the bed is empty. My eyes crack open. The room is dark. Not my cabin. The realization hits me like a slap. I didn’t dream last night. I really did just fuck Ruslan Dragunov.

I sit up, hair a mess, body aching. My bladder makes its demand known, so I tiptoe to the bathroom, bare-ass naked, and do what I need to. After washing my hands, I head to the kitchen, thirst clawing at my throat. The house is quiet, too quiet. I frown. Where the hell is he?

As I pass through the lounge, a sliver of light seeps out from a slightly open door. Then I hear his voice. Low. Steady. Russian. I creep closer, drawn like a moth to the flame, heart thudding with some primal warning.

My name. He says my name.

"Yes, she fell for it," Ruslan says, cool and casual. "I told you. I always get what the fuck I want. Now that she doesn’t believe she’s pregnant, I don’t pose a threat. The RMSAD won’t be a problem. Their Jewel belongs to me now."

Ice runs through my veins. I freeze, breath caught in my throat.

"Yes. What do you think? I said we were in this together. I’m warning you, don’t betray me. Everything is working just the way you planned. Let Irina think she’s fooled us. We’ll give her five months, see if the IVF takes. If not, we’ve got Plan B and C. Relax, the doctor’s on my payroll now. He’ll tell them what I want them to know."

The blood drains from my face.

"Of course I’m going to marry her. Not only is she the Jewel of Russia and the RMSAD’s most prized asset, she’s a Morozov. Her grandmother is Anya Novikov. Do you know what that will do for us? Plus her grandfather controls the Dragunov Guard. We need them."

My knees tremble.

"Victoria? Oh hell no. She’s an okay fuck. Good to relieve yourself with when the need arises. No, I must go. I told you—there’s going to be a wedding at Dragunov Village."

My stomach flips.

"You’re just upset I didn’t ask you. Of course, I love you. But you better start behaving yourself."

He hangs up.

I can’t move. My heart is a shattered mess beating against bone and betrayal. Everything he said—all the promises, all the heat, the way he held me—it was just another layer of lies. I’m a pawn. A fucking pawn.

Sabrina was right. These people are insane.

Then fury crashes in like a tidal wave. Red-hot, consuming. My head clears, and instinct kicks in. Quietly, I grab my clothes,pulling them on. My hands find his jacket. His wallet. His keys. Fucking rich people leave their shit lying around like it’s nothing. I need a phone. Mine’s gone—of course it is. He must’ve taken it.

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