Page 37 of Ruinous Need
“Hello?” comes a voice from the other side of the wall of clothing, startling me out of my weird craving for Viktor’s clothes. A woman’s voice. What the hell?
She laughs on the other side. “Is that you, Lisette?” Her voice is musical and soft. “This is a lot of clothing.”
I hear her dragging things around to get through the pile and then she’s right in front of me.
“Hi. I’m Daria Sulikova. I think Viktor told you about me.”
She’s a striking brunette who’s almost double my height, her hair cut into an immaculate and gleaming bob. There’s an edge of danger to her, like there is with Viktor.
I’d totally forgotten that Viktor had told me a new guard would be arriving today. Markov is still here, too, but since Marianne they’ve been on high alert and thought back-up would be needed.
I look down at the random kaftan I’ve tried on. At least it’s not the lingerie set.
“I’m Lisette, but I guess you knew that already.”
“Do you want some help unpacking the clothes?”
“Please. I think this is Viktor’s way of saying sorry, but it’s a lot.”
Daria nods, grabbing down a bag stuffed full of dresses which I have absolutely no occasion to wear.
“Well, you are about to become Queen of the Bratva. I guess they want to make sure you look the part, even while you’re… here.” She gestures around at the starkly undecorated room in Viktor’s apartment.
I’m so relieved to have someone to vent to about my situation while we unpack the clothes that I start treating Daria like a best friend. I guess it’s a kind of Stockholm syndrome — any human connection right now is appreciated, especially if it’s not as emotionally charged and intense as interacting with Viktor.
CHAPTER 14
VIKTOR
THE LIGHTS ARE still on in the apartment when I get home, though it’s close to midnight.
Markov nods at me as I enter.
I’m exhausted. Still, I can’t help hoping that Lisette’s going to be up waiting for me. I’ve never had anything to expect when I’ve come home before.
I enter the apartment and she’s curled on the couch, tapping a pencil against her lower lip as she does another one of her crosswords.
She jumps up with an excited squeal when she sees me.
I recognize the nightdress she has on from the lingerie I included with her clothes. Pale yellow and gauzy, ending just below the flare of her hips and barely covering her up. She sees me staring — I’m in no state to hide my arousal right now — and does a graceful little twirl for me.
So fucking cute and pure.
My stomach twists at the exact moment that my heart pounds against my ribcage. She’s becoming a distraction, but God, does it feel good to be distracted right now.
“Viktor,” she smiles, her eyes glowing with happiness andradiance. She pulls me down for a hug.
I inhale her cinnamon and sugar scent, and it’s like a weight lifts off my shoulders.
I pull away before I get too comfortable like this. Just because my body craves Lisette, just because I’vemissedher, doesn’t mean it’s any safer to touch her now than it was three days ago.
She’s engaged to my cousin. Not just that, but the people I love are the ones who get chewed up and spat out by the beast that is the New York Bratva.
“Good to see you,” I mumble, turning to go upstairs and shower.
“Wait, Viktor, I thought we could watch a movie? I downloaded this —”
“We can’t watch a movie, Lisette. I’ve just been away for a week and I want nothing more than a shower and to sleep.”
