Page 36 of Twisted Empire: King's Gambit

Shaking my head, I go about my business in the bathroom. But when I step out of the bathroom wearing nothing but a towel and walk to the walk-in, Natalya is sitting at my vanity already.

“Judging my make-up choices?” I ask and head to my clothing. “Don’t judge too hard. It was all here when I arrived.”

She shakes her head. “Not judging, just surprised and jealous that you probably don’t even need all of this,” she says with a pout. “What is it with you Italian women and looking flawless?”

I can’t help but chuckle. “Flawless? I’d beg to differ. By the way, is black the universal color of members of the Bratva?” I say, gesturing toward her. “It seems to be a thing.”

She chuckles and gets up from the vanity. “No, but it’s a sexy color, Miss Crimson,” she says, eyeing the burgundy blouse in my hand. “I recall you wearing red at the gala as well.”

“What can I say? It gives me confidence. Now can you please go out of my walk-in so I can get dressed?”

“So damn bossy,” she says and rolls her eyes. “I hope you put Mischa in his place like this, too.”

Before I can even reply to that, she strolls out of the walk-in, not knowing how she exasperates me.

I have a feeling we’re going to get along well.

GABRIETTE

Natalya isn’t in the bedroom when I walk out, so I make my way downstairs and call out her name. When she doesn’t answer me, I walk into the living room and see Alexei, who nods his head when he sees me.

He’s wearing an arm sling but doesn’t even look like he’s in pain. What the actual fuck? Why is he back at work?

“Alexei? What the hell are you doing back so soon?” I say, approaching him. “How are you feeling?”

“If I can walk, I’m well enough to work, Ma’am,” he says with a proud smile and I actually can’t tell if he’s lying or not.

Deciding not to push it since he seems okay, I ask, “Did you see where Natalya went?”

“She’s in the boss’ office,” he says, gesturing behind him. “I’ll take you.”

“Thank you,” I answer and follow him as he leads me out, only to hear hushed voices by the office door. Alexei knocks and says something in Russian. Mikhail says da and Alexei opens the door for me.

Mikhail is leaning forward with his elbows braced on the desk in front of him, those eyes of his burning into me the second he sees me. Natalya, on the other hand, looks like she’s about to explode.

“I hope we’re not intruding,” I say as I look between them and know for a fact that I am intruding.

“Not at all,” Mikhail says, then he looks at his sister. “Remember what I said.”

I swear steam would come out of her ears if she were any more pissed, but instead she storms out of the office with a “Come, Gabriette.” I blink a few times and am about to walk out when Mikhail says my name.

Why the hell are you beating so fast, stupid heart?!

I hear his footsteps behind me and I slowly turn around, swallowing hard. He comes to a stop in front of me and draws his hand to my chin, tilting it so I can face him.

God, why does he have to look so gorgeous? Those eyes, chiseled featured, his solid body. Even that scar running down the side of his face just fits; I barely notice it anymore.

“Are you fine going with Natalya?” he asks me, and I notice there’s a husky lilt to his tone.

I nod my head and clear my throat. “Yes, it would do me good to get out of the house. Besides, I’d like to get to know your sister.”

He maintains eye contact with me for a moment longer, his piercing gaze holding me captive. There’s an intensity in those eyes, a depth that seems to unravel the layers of my soul. It’s both unsettling and oddly enticing.

“Good,” he says, his voice low and smooth like aged whiskey, sending shivers down my spine. “Natalya can be... difficult at times, but I believe you two will get along just fine.”

His hand lingers on my chin for a moment before it slips to the base of my throat. We maintain eye contact for what seems like hours, the air feeling charged and thick with need.

What is this man doing to me?

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