Page 130 of Thorns of Lust
And strangely enough, Konstantin kept his distance. Although somehow it felt more like the calm before the storm, rather than him giving up. I should be happy about it. I should celebrate.
Yet, I couldn’t help but think about him all the damn time.
The door to my car opened and one of my brother’s guards held it open. I exited the car and headed through the familiar home and to the gathering room.
With each step, the music and laughter’s volume increased. I smoothed my hand over my dress. Isabella said to dress up like it was a black tie event. I didn’t question it. I picked out a black Valentino gown that was tight around my breasts and waist, but fell loose to the ground with a white train attached to the back of my dress that fell from my shoulders to the floor. My hair was styled in a classy bun, and I opted for minimum make up and discreet diamond earrings.
Yan trailed behind me, his weapon peeking from under his jacket and my steps faltered right before entering the room.
“You can go home,” I told him. “Vasili has plenty of men. One of them can take me home.”
He shook his head. “No, I’m taking you home.”
I sighed. It turned out Yan was just as stubborn as I was. “Then at least go and relax. You don’t need to trail behind me.”
A terse nod and he went ahead, towards the gardens while I still lingered in the doorway.
Lights shimmered. Music played.
Dinners at Vasili’s were usually casual and hectic. Hence this came as a surprise. It would be only my eldest brother, Isabella, some of Vasili’s associates, and me. Sasha and Branka were still in Russia, and Alexei was in Portugal with Aurora.
The gathering seemed to be in full swing already. Men and women dressed up elegantly and chatted among each other. It seemed to be a pleasant evening, everyone smiling. My eyes searched out my eldest brother. He made me promise him that I’d come. It was my first party since Adrian’s death, but Vasili emphasized he needed me.
So here I was in my full glory.
I finally spotted him, speaking to a man with thick, dark hair and his back to me. My heart recognized him before my brain. Vasili’s eyes flickered to me and he smiled, but my gaze was locked on the tall dark form speaking with him.
I stood frozen, watching as his companion turned around and our eyes met.
Darkness. Dominance. Secrets.
Vasili waved me over and I longingly glanced over my shoulder, regretting my promise now. I didn’t want to be here. Why in the fuck was Illias Konstantin here? We were supposed to be enemies.
You didn’t mind sleeping with the enemy, my mind whispered, but I promptly shut it up.
My heart thundered against my ribcage with each step that brought me closer to my brother and the enemy. I could feel Illias’ smirk on me more than see it, his eyes watching my every move like a hungry wolf.
My heels clicked against the hardwood in sync with my wild heartbeats.
“Tatiana.” Vasili seemed oblivious to my tension and smiled warmly as he hugged me. “You look beautiful.”
“Thank you,” I answered with a forced smile, keeping my eyes on my brother. The man who wasn’t just a brother but also mother and father. The man who’d always been there for me, even when our own parents abandoned us. I barely remembered Papa. He was never around. And my mother hated me so much she jumped to her death almost with me in her arms.
“Big party,” I remarked tightly.
“Isabella wasn’t happy, but we were overdue.” I nodded, still keeping my eyes on Vasili. “This is Illias Konstantin,” he continued when I said nothing. “I believe you may have met him briefly in Russia in passing.”
“Drinks, ma’am?”
A waiter showed up at that moment, offering drinks. Flutes of champagne and stronger drinks in shorter glasses. Tension surrounded our small circle. I could practically see Vasili’s glare on the poor waiter.
I swallowed. I hadn’t had a drop of alcohol in almost three months now. It wasn’t the road I wanted to go down again. I met the waiter’s eyes and smiled.
“Thank you, nothing for me.” Tension evaporated like the air in the inflated balloon. I returned my attention to my brother and Illias. “Frankly, the meeting was so brief, I don’t remember him.”
Game. Set. Match. Motherfucker.
“I’ll be happy to refresh your memory.” Illias response was smooth and deep. Seductive.
