Page 117 of Tempt Me (Dark Odyssey 4)

“I, um… I…” I hate lying to him, but I’ll have to lie again. I can’t tell him any part of the truth. “No… I… don’t feel very well. Can I lie down? Please…”

He just stares at me, his eyes searching mine.

“What’s wrong with you?”

“My head… hurts. If I lie down, I’ll be okay.” I nod and reach out to touch his face.

“Okay. You stay here tonight. I’ll let you get some rest.” He stands up.

“Are you going back out?” I say.

I’m so scared I can’t breathe. I don’t want him to leave. What if Dmitri and Yuri truly recognized me and had us followed?

“Want me to stay?” He gives me a little smile.

“Yes.”

“Then I’ll stay. I have a few calls to make. Sleep, Bellezza.” He bends down to kiss me like it’s habit then leaves me.

The minute the door click’s shut, I allow the tears I’ve been holding back to fall. They fall on a breath I release.

My lungs still feel like they’re on fire. My soul still feels like it’s aching.

I cry so hard I’m shaking, covering my mouth with my hand to keep the sound in.

How did this happen?

Ten years I’ve hidden. I’ve stayed hidden for ten years. Now the monsters are here. Not in Russia where I left them. They’re here, and they know Vincent.

Fuck.

It’s the first time since I made this bargain that’ve felt regret to the point where I can’t think about what I feel for Vincent.

This isn’t just down to coincidence. It’s some cruel joke of fate that’s come for me. Dad got himself in trouble, and all the pieces on the chessboard were played to put me here, right in the line of danger. Right there in the line of fire where I’m exposed.

What am I going to do?

What the hell am I going to do if they recognized me?

That would mean…

Everyone I know is in danger.

Vincent doesn’t know who he’s dealing with.

Or does he?

Chapter Thirty-One

Vincent

She lied to me.

When you study a person as much as I do her, you know things.

Every time I’m with her, her eyes draw me into her soul, calling to me. That’s how I know.

She didn’t feel sick. It wasn’t that.

---