Page 23 of Surrogate for the Bratva
My conscience wouldn’t let up on my self-imposed exile into the incredibly luxurious and well-appointed suite of rooms Igor had assigned to me. It wasn’t completely awful being in the room, there was everything a girl could possibly need, but I hadn’t ventured outside of the suite in three whole days. I took my meals in the living room, I curled up on the bed or in the bathtub to read, and I spent many hours perched on the bench seat at the window that overlooked a vast expanse of perfectly manicured green lawn.
There was too much going on in my head to do anything but be a bundle of nervous energy. How was I supposed to feel knowing that Igor had lied to me all this time? Nothing about this situation was as it seemed and if not for the untimely death of his dear friend, I would probably still be in the dark regarding the identity of Roman Stephens.
Part of me wanted to be angry and I was damn angry at him, but there were other emotions I didn’t want to think about too carefully. Like that kiss for starters. What the hell was I thinking? Moreover, what washethinking, kissing me like that when he was forcing me to live here.
And was I really in danger?
A knock at the door startled a gasp out of me and I almost dropped my e-reader on the floor. “Shit.” I took a few moments to calm my racing heart before I stood carefully and walked to the door. I took a deep breath and released it slowly, hoping itwas Maxim with my next meal. My racing heart knew before I did that it wasn’t Maxim and when I pulled on the door, that stupid organ pounded like a world class drummer against my chest. “Igor,” I said, trying to keep my voice as stiff and as even as possible.
He stared at me for a long moment while I did the same. He looked perfectly put together in a gunmetal gray suit with a sapphire blue shirt, tie and pocket square. I was sure if I glanced down his socks would also be sapphire blue. “April. How are you?” His tone was so sincere I almost felt myself softening.
Almost.He was the reason I was here. His life or his business were the reason why I was in danger and here. Alone. And I was carrying his baby, so of course he was genuinely concerned about me. “I’m fine, thanks.”
It was almost imperceptible, but his shoulders sagged in disappointment for just a flash of a moment. “That is good to hear.” He stood and stared for another long moment.
I stared back but after a while I started to feel like a bum compared to his expensive suit while I was in a pair of leggings and a tank top. “What’s up, Igor?” It still felt weird to call him that, which served as the perfect reminder that he was a liar.
“I’d like you to join me for dinner.”
Hell no.“Thanks but I’m not hungry.” Before the words were even out of my mouth, my stomach did a spectacular impression of an angry bear. “Fine, I’ll have dinner with you.”
“Excellent.”
“Wait, is this a real dinner or do I get to eat the prepared meals while you chow down on gourmet food in front of me?”
Igor laughed and I really wished he hadn’t. The sound was deep and rich, it was slightly rusty like he wasn’t a man who laughed often. But it only increased his already considerable appeal which was damned maddening. “I assure you that we both will bechowing down.”
“I’ll be right down,” I told him and turned to find a pair of shoes, determined to take my time and maybe put some distance between us. I found my sandals and slipped them on and when I turned, Igor was still there. “You don’t trust me?”
His brow arched and another killer smile lit his face. “You want the truth?”
“Always.”
“I couldn’t look away from the view of your legs and ass in those stretchy pants.”
Without warning my cheeks flamed hot and I knew they were bright red. “Got it.” I followed him down the marble stairs with a tight grip on the railing until we reached the bottom. There was more marble but this time around I was curious about my surroundings and took in every detail.
The décor could best be described as minimalist, mostly black and white with various shades of blue as accents all around. The pop of blue everywhere surprised me. It was tasteful and obviously expensive but not simply for the sake of being expensive.
The kitchen was large and beautiful, stocked with the newest appliances and kitchen gadgets, spacious with a long blue and white granite island counter with pots and pans hanging overhead. Two women worked quietly in the kitchenwhile soft music played. I frowned at the small round table that was so incongruent with the grandiosity of the room.
Igor’s hand went to the small of my back and then the heat of his breath was on my neck. “The dining room or outside on the terrace?”
Considering what his proximity was doing to my poor, neglected libido, I knew what the smart choice was. “Fresh air would be nice, thanks.”
He steered me to the right and through a set of tall double doors and out onto a stone terrace with a smoked glass table, covered slightly by a black and white umbrella and cushioned chairs. He took me by surprise when he pulled out my chair for me. “You smell good,” he growled.
I ignored the way his compliment pulsed through me and smiled. “It’s coconut.”
He took the seat across from me, his gaze piercing and unsettling. “How are you doing April, really?”
“I’m fine, Igor.” In a twist of irony I was starting to find the question incredibly annoying. “Mild morning sickness and sore nipples.”
His nostrils flared with heat, and I realized I shouldn’t have said that. “Is there anything you need for that? Whatever you need, just tell me or Maxim and I will make sure you have it.”
“I will. Thanks.” We stared at each other for a full minute in absolute silence. The tension between us was palpable and I held my breath for a long minute, letting out on a slow, shuddery breath. This was my chance to find out more about him so that’swhat I did. “What do you do for a living that someone is killing your friends?”
His lips parted into a grin. “We’re getting right into it then?”
