Page 24 of Viparious

The asshole laughs at me. It’s not small, despite him trying to mute it. He stares at me and holds my chin between his thumb and forefinger.

“Who do you think cooks, meelaya?” he asks around a smirk.

I’ve never seen a chef or anyone in the house, but everything is always stocked, and the meals are pre-prepared. Even the laundry is done meticulously.So, I shrug.

Grandfather always had Dariya and I assumed that there was someone else here hidden away by the devil. He pulls me forward and kisses the tip of my nose.

“Still a princess.” He flexes being an arrogant ass as I push against his abs at the demotion. Then muddles my brain with his confession. “You’re going to tellmeto avoid making thingsIdon’t like?”

I’m sure I’ve heard wrong. Vlad doesn’t cook, he just plots and kills. Pressing my palms on his chest so he’s flat against the chair, I straddle his thighs. I can’t keep the disbelief out of my voice, and it sounds like an accusation.

“Youmake everyone’s food?”

My eyes narrow as I search his features for a tell. He lies too easily. I know I’ll most likely not find one, but it doesn’t stop me looking for it, for some twitch or chink in his armor.

The chair rolls forward as he cages me in with his legs under the desk and he combs his fingers through my hair so the strands flow down my back. His lips fall into their usual smirk, but some of the heat is missing as he loosely holds my neck.

“Did you think there were fairies appearing in the middle of the night to cook and clean?”

I nod because that seems more likely than the devil being domesticated. He laughs lightly and cups my ear to massage circles against my scalp with the tips of his fingers.

It takes too long for my brain to pick up what he said fully with the soothing motion.

“Who does the laundry?”

It’s stupid that I’m already embarrassed at the thought of Vlad touching my period panties when he’s the one removing them from my body. But it’s different without the lustful lens of the moment. There’s no desire dimming everything, and my cheeks burn, already knowing the answer as his smirk widens.

He can never be a normal fucking person and asks softly, “Scared I’ve seen your skid marks?”

I swear to God, people want to kill him just for his mouth alone. I cross my arms over my chest and my voice is high-pitched, trying to argue with him while not giving in because he’s still massaging my scalp.

“I don’t have those.”

My entire body is shaking from the force of his laugh, it’s so mesmerizing seeing him come to life. He isn’t a grump like Dima, who just grumbles at people, but he’s reserved when he’s not home. When he is here and allows himself to be social, he makes the others laugh and actually has a personality. Even if his humor is rooted in violence and stupid fucking comments. But his laugh is full of life.

Kissing my cheek, he moves to my lips and curls his hand around my nape.

“I was joking, moya koroleva.”

Humming because he’s still laughing, he presses his lips to mine which are set in a hard line. When I don’t move, he sits back and cups my jaw. His thumb taps against my lips without a pattern, and he presses his other hand between my thighs with a threat.

“If these lips don’t open for me, I’ll make sure you’re walking bow-legged at your event tonight.”

Anger has me moving forward, and I bite his bottom lip, technically doing what he said. I know he’s going to rage and quickly sit on top of his desk before I let go.

I’m acting like a child as I slide back and jump off the wood before he can grab me to fulfill his threat that we will both very much enjoy. My feet nearly pause as I remember an old couple who visited Steorra. They always said you know a relationship will last when they make you feel young. You’re giddy and excited but also playful. That thought slams into me as I leave Vlad’s office. The woman kept reiterating that finding a man who makes the kid you happy while the adult you sings, is the secret to a long life. Vlad is that person, but I’m destined for a short life. I can’t admit my feelings to someone who’ll only see them as a weakness or as me acting outside the terms of our agreement.

Nerves flood my bloodstream as I go to our floor to get ready. I’ve never had the Vartanovs near Steorra other than the one time Vlad decided to randomly turn up. If they cause a war, I’ll kill them myself, with the heads of the Conglomerate being in full attendance. Verelli may be cordial due to his reduced proximity with Grandfather and Alessi will most likely be the same. But they’re allies with the Albanians. If these idiots who have become my family do anything tonight, they’ll be inviting war.

I strip down, ready to change. But there’s no pre-planned outfit since I usually have one delivered to fit the theme. But I forgot with Vlad’s disappearing act. I stand in the closet, staring at my clothes like one of the dresses will magically scream they’re the right one. But the devil appears over my shoulder.

“Is this how you’re planning on raising money, meelaya?”he asks.

My skin heats as he stands at my back, making sure we don’t touch.

It intensifies as he rakes his eyes over my nearly naked body with a smirk. There’s no hint of jealousy and I wish there was. I want Vlad to turn into a caveman and beat his chest, shoutingmine. I keep looking at the dresses hung up despite the way I’m begging for the emotion.

“I can’t find anything to wear, so I might go like this.”

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