Page 49 of Wicked Vow

The night is still in full swing as they walk me through the club, the dancers milling about and all of the customers blissfully unaware of what just happened in the champagne rooms. I catch a glimpse of Ruby out of the corner of my eye, and she breaks away from the customer she’s talking to, hurrying after me as we head down the hallway toward Viktor’s office.

“Natalia!” She calls out after me, and I stop, waving at the security guards to wait as I turn back toward her.

She grabs my elbow, tugging me a little further down the hall out of earshot, leaning against the wall as she looks down at me with clear worry in her eyes. “What happened? I saw them taking Erik back to Viktor’s office–he looked like he was in rough shape–”

I bite my lower lip, knowingexactlywhat she’s going to have to say about this, and I’m not entirely sure that I’m in any mood to hear it.

“I told Erik that I used to dance at a club in Moscow. He asked if I’d dance for him sometime, and in the spur of the moment, I asked if he wanted to go back to one of the champagne rooms. I don’t really know what I was thinking–I just acted on impulse, and–”

Ruby frowns, clearly confused. “I don’t understand. How did you dancing for him go that wrong? Did you try to fuck on the stage or something and have an accident?”

I feel my face heat again, feeling the pressure of Mikhail’s body on mine all over again as he pushed me back onto the stage, so close to doing just that. “No. I–we–Mikhail was here.”

Ruby blinks at me. “Mikhail? Natalia, what on earth are you talking about?”

“He’s been following me again, I think. He saw me go back to the champagne room with Erik, and he lost it. He burst in and grabbed Erik, and started beating the shit out of him. I tried to stop him, and he dragged Erik out and threw him out of the room. And then–”

I swallow hard as I see a look of horror flood Ruby’s face. “Oh my god, Natalia.” Her hand goes to her mouth as she stares at me. “Are you alright? Did he hurtyou? Did he–”

“No. He didn’t hurt me.” I don’t know how to explain the rest of it,anyof it, how to make it not sound entirely insane. I know what Ruby is going to think, and honestly, I can’t blame her. If the tables were turned, I’d very likely feel the same. “He just–he wanted to talk to me.”

“Aboutwhat?” Ruby’s eyes are as wide as I’ve ever seen them. “Natalia, what could he possibly have to say to you–”

“I need to go see Erik.” I take a step back, knowing I don’t have any way to explain this, to make Ruby understand how I felt in that room. “I should make sure he’s alright.”

“He didn’t look it.” Ruby presses her lips together, looking at me narrowly before she finally gives a one-shouldered shrug. “Alright. I need to get back to work too. But Natalia–if you need me, call me later. I’m worried about you.”

“I’m fine.” I force a smile, turning back down the hall to go to Viktor’s office.

I see Erik the instant the door opens. He’s slumped on a sofa on one side of the room, an ice pack pressed to the side of his jaw. He opens one swelling eye as I walk in, and I can see from the dark look on his face that he’s angry–whether with Mikhail, or me, or both, I don’t know for sure.

“Erik?” I say his name tentatively, waving the security off. “Can we have some privacy?” I ask them, glancing back, and they nod, retreating outside as they shut the door.

I take a slow step toward where Erik is sitting, wincing as I take in the sight of his face. It’s swollen and purpling, and I can see him wince as he moves the ice pack to a spot lower on his jaw.

“What the fuck was that?” Erik asks thickly, glaring at me. “Whothe fuck was that, actually? You knew his name.”

I slowly sink down onto the couch next to him, perched on the edge as I look at him warily. “Someone I used to know,” I say quietly. “He wasn’t supposed to be here. I’m sorry–”

“You’re damn right he wasn’t supposed to be here,” Erik growls, glaring at me sideways. “Is this a normal occurrence for you? Someone just barging in on you and your date and beating him to a pulp?”

“No, actually.” I bite my lip, feeling a flush of guilt wash over me, even though I know it’s not really my fault. I had no way of knowing that Mikhail was still following me, or that he’d know about Erik, or that there was any chance of that happening. But I can’t help feeling that Ishouldhave known to some extent, that I should have been aware that Mikhail wouldn’t just let me go so easily. “I’m sorry, I–look, can I get you anything? Did they give you something for the pain?”

I reach out, moving closer to touch him to see how bad the damage is, but Erik pulls away from me, his expression far beyond pissed off now.

“You know,” he says acidly, his gaze narrowing at me as much as he’s able with his eyes swelling the way they are, “I thought you inviting me to the club was strange. I thought it was just a strange way of trying to seduce me, maybe, but now I’m curious. Did you bring me here so your ex-boyfriend could get in a few swings on me? Blackmail me into something, maybe?”

“What?” I stare at him, unsure whether to be horrified or insulted. “Erik, why on earth would I do that? Mikhail isn’t my ex-boyfriend, and this was nothing like that.” It’s true only in the strictest sense–I wouldn’t call what Mikhail was to me aboyfriend, but I know very well that I’m skirting around the fact that Mikhail and Ididhave a connection–and still do, if I were being entirely honest.

But Erik doesn’t need to know all of that. After tonight, I’m fairly certain I won’t ever see him again. I can’t find it within myself to be upset about that, even if I know it should make me feel guilty.

“I brought you here because I wanted to end our night on a fun note. That’s all. I didn’t even plan on dancing for you–that was a decision I made on a whim. I definitely didn’t plan for–this. I’m sorry this happened–”

“Please don’t say that again.” Erik holds up a hand, shaking his head and then wincing in pain. “You said this man’s name was Mikhail?”

“Viktor has it under control.” A sharp pang of fear lances through me at the thought that Erik might want to hurt Mikhail too–not that I’m sure there will be anything left of Mikhail when Viktor is finished with him. “You don’t need to worry about that–”

“I’ll decide what I need to worry about.” His voice is sharp as a knife as he pushes himself up from the couch, the ice pack still held against his swollen jaw as he steps away from me. “You are a very intriguing woman, Natalia. And it seems as if a very intriguing past has caught up with you.” Erik glances back at me, his eyes still dark and angry. “You should really find someone to keep you safe. You might need it.”

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