Page 35 of Wicked Knight 2

What would Papa say if I told him I no longer cared about revenge? Or I did care. I just didn’t think Donata should pay for something she didn’t do. He would be disappointed, for sure. A month ago, I was certain I would never do anything to make him think less of me. He was the only father I knew.

I slanted a glance toward the stairs again. Where the hell was she? Earlier, after my business and drinks with Papa were done, I wanted to go see her. But if I saw her again, alone in our suite, I was sure I wouldn’t be able to control myself. I wanted to feel her naked body against mine. If that ever happened, it would be days before we left the room.

Yeah, it was better to stay away. At least for tonight, until this party was over, and Boris had been dealt with.

Irina smiled at me and offered me a drink off her tray. I took it, then grabbed her by the elbow and pulled her to a corner of the living room. “Where is he?”

“I haven’t seen him.”

“I asked you to look for him an hour ago.” I thrust a hand into the pockets of my trousers. “Alexei was supposed to stay with you.”

“And he was. But Mom asked me to help her with dinner. When I came back to the room, he was gone.” Her eyes watered. “Maybe he’s hiding somewhere?”

“I hope he is.” I clenched my jaw. “Where’s Boris?”

“He got here a little bit ago. He’s in the library drinking.” She rolled her eyes.

“Keep an eye on him.” I knocked the drink back then gave her the empty tumbler. “And go find Alexei.”

“Yeah, okay.” She scurried away.

Halfway down the living room, a group of guys stopped her and grabbed the rest of the drinks off her tray. They turned to me and raised their glasses. I nodded, then headed for the stairs. I couldn’t wait on Donata anymore.

Two strides in, she appeared at the top landing, wearing a red dress that barely contained her tits. She looked absolutely beautiful. I stepped toward her, as she practically floated down the steps.

“Are you trying to kill me?” My gaze dropped to her cleavage.

“I found it in the closet.” She smoothed it out. “Is it too much for this sort of shindig?” She surveyed the room, and all the men clad in dark suits and their wives in fancy dresses.

“It’s perfect.” I offered her my hand.

She stared at my fingers for a long minute before she sighed and accepted the gesture. When we touched, a raw charge crackled in the air. I squeezed her hand, and she glanced up at me.

“Do you think anyone will notice if we make a break for it now?” I winked at her.

“Definitely.” She beamed at me, pointing at Papa.

I turned as Papa raised his glass and tapped it with a spoon. “It fills my heart to see everyone having a good time. As you know, we’re celebrating my son’s marriage to the lovely Ms. Salvatore.” He chuckled. “I mean Mrs. Belov.”

Next to me, Donata coughed into her hand. Yeah, the idea of a Mrs. Belov was shocking to me too. I put my arm around her and kissed her temple. “One hour. And then we can go.”

Papa went on for another minute about how proud he was of me and how happy he was that he'd decided to take me in. I usually didn’t mind that he liked to remind everyone that he raised me after his sister passed away. But all of this was news to Donata. She didn’t know what her family had done to mine. She didn’t know why she was here and why I wanted revenge.

I couldn’t imagine how she felt right about now, to know that one of her own raped my mother and then tossed her aside, that I was the result of that assault. When Donata made to leave, I tightened my hold on her.

“And now you know why you’re here.”

“Are you going to force yourself on me?” She glared at me. “Make me pay for something that happened before I was born?”

“It won’t be the same,” I whispered in her ear. “Because you want me.”

“Fuck off.” She squirmed to free herself, but her strength was no match to mine. She pursed her lips. “This isn’t you.”

“How would you know what I am, princess?”

“A dance.” Papa called from the middle of the room. “Come on. Both of you.”

Keeping my grip on her shoulder, I ushered Donata toward Papa. As soon as we did, a soft tune played over the speakers and filled the air around us. The circumstances of how we got together were less than ideal. But having her in my arms like this left me with zero regrets.

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