Page 14 of Cinder
Viktor ignores him and picks up a large box from the desk and hands it to me. “This is what you will wear tonight. You will be my contact’s date to the party.”
“Is he your inside man?”
“No, he is a contact who can get you in. My inside man has gone rogue on me. He’s become a little complacent, so I’ve resorted to other means in order to get you in.”
I don’t bother to ask what theseother meansare because I have been around men like Viktor my whole life. Men who will blackmail, bait or bludgeon another to get what they want.
But I do want to know who the inside man is.
“Does this inside man have a name?” I ask.
“The best way to keep an inside man effective is to keep his identity hidden.”
“He’s not very effective if you’ve had to resort to other means to get me in.”
Sometimes I can’t help my smart mouth.
Luca’s face darkens, and I wait for him to start yelling at me for talking back before threatening me with punishment. After all, I’ve been locked away in my room for a lot less.
But a small curl of amusement touches Viktor’s lips, and those dead eyes gleam with appreciation.
“You are as smart as they say you are. I like that.” He looks at Luca. “I think this is going to be a very successful union.”
Luca looks pleased with himself.
“Does this contact know I’m there to find the book?” I ask.
“No, he’s an idiot who is on a need-to-know basis. The less you tell him, the better.”
Visiting the Knights’ clubhouse might be my way out.
Maybe I could talk to the Knights. Ask them for help. Their reputation for protecting the vulnerable is legendary.
But what if they don’t want to get involved because crossing Viktor Olicheckoff would make them an enemy of a very powerful man? Why on earth would they put themselves in that position for me?
Still, my gut is telling me the party at the clubhouse is going to help me somehow. It has to, because I don’t have the stomach to marry this man. And if I’m forced to, then I will kill him.
Or die trying.
CHAPTER 7
Ella
If Viktor Olicheckoffis hoping I’ll blend in at the party tonight, then he gave me the wrong dress. Tight black silk. Plunging back. So short you can almost see the moon. It’s a knockout. Both elegant and sexy, and incredibly eye-catching.
Not to mention revealing.
Coupled with a pair of knee-high boots.
There’s no way I am going to blend in when this dress screamslook at me.
To tone it down, I keep my jewelry simple. A pair of diamond studs and a delicate diamond watch that used to be my mother’s.
After slipping on a denim jacket, I stand back to survey my handiwork in the mirror.
In another life, I would be wearing this dress on a date with the man of my dreams. And he would take one look at me and tell me I’m the most beautiful woman in the world before securing his arm around mine and walking me into a room of people, proud to have me on his arm.
But in this life, I’m waiting for a monster to knock on my bedroom door and let me know it’s time to do another monster’s bidding.
