Page 39 of Savage Beauty

I close my eyes. I believe her because I’ve seen it too—Sasha’s moments of vulnerability when he gazes at me, seeking solace and direction.

“You’re his lighthouse, Josie,” Morgana continues, squeezing my hand. “His sanctuary. And when he stops fighting himself, you’d better be prepared.”

“For what?”

“For devotion like you never imagined,” Morgana says gently. “Because if you asked, that man would rearrange the stars for you.”

* * *

When we get home, we’re glowing, our skin rubbed down, polished, and moisturized. We had a light supper at the hotel, but it wasn’t enough for Morgana, and we laughed our asses off as Sasha’s driver tried to get the limousine through the Taco Bell drive-thru.

Vlad, Arman, and Avel are sitting in the lounge. Our giggling brings all three of them into the foyer, and Vlad laughs when he sees our takeout bags.

“Morgana,lisichka. I guess you were still hungry?”

Morgana playfully sticks her tongue out at her husband. “Sue me. I’m growing a human here. How far can I get on finger sandwiches and macarons?” She retrieves a chili cheese burrito from one of the takeout bags and extends it to Avel. “Here you go. I wouldn’t dare visit Taco Bell without bringing something for you. Isn’t this stuff like ninety percent of your diet?”

“Thanks.” Avel takes the burrito and grins. “And no, of course not. Maybe seventy percent.”

“Wait a minute,” Arman says, looking past us. “Isn’t Sasha with you?”

“No,” I say, taking in the concern on the men’s faces. “I haven’t heard from him. He had some business to deal with.”

“I had a call earlier,” Vlad says. “A cop. He told me Sasha cut him up the other day for getting too close to you, Josie. That true?”

“Yeah. Why? Is he in trouble?”

“We can smooth that out. “It’s mostly the man’s pride that’s hurt. But we have an understanding with the local law enforcement; our people stay alive, theirs stay out of our business, and they only hassle the low-level criminals. The last thing I need is—”

The front door bursts open, and Sasha walks in. He moves casually, his stride relaxed. His shirt is soaked with blood.

“Jesus, Sasha!” I cry, running to him. “What happened? Are you alright?”

“I’m fine.” He catches my wrists, pushing me gently aside. “Just had a little altercation. No big deal.”

“Who did you kill?” Arman asks. “I’m assuming the owner of all that blood didn’t have enough left to stay alive.”

“Like I said,” Sasha glares at Arman, “it’s no big deal.”

Vlad is silent, but his presence is imposing. Everyone looks at him except Sasha, who avoids his brother’s eyes.

“What the fuck have you been up to,brat?” Vlad asks. “Because you seem to be losing your shit. You mess Josie around and cause a fight with our rivals. You attack a fuckingcop. Now you return home, fresh from a murder I know nothing about,” Vlad’s voice rises in anger, “and you shrug it off? Act like it’s no one’s business but yours?”

Sasha removes his jacket and throws it over the back of the couch. “Itismy business, Vlad,” he says, “so leave it alone. There’s no problem here.”

Vlad jabs a finger at him. “I swear to God, Sasha. You’d better get in line. We worked too hard for you to get careless just because you’re in love.”

I freeze, and Morgana shoots Vlad a murderous look.

“Vladi,” she says. “Enough. Leave Sasha and Josie alone. The wedding is tomorrow, and we must all play our part for thekomissiya. Don’t fight now.”

“Alright,lisichka.” Vlad nods at Sasha. “You—get a goddamn shower. You’re a fucking psycho sometimes, you know that?”

Sasha gives a little bow. “Acknowledged. And that works in your favor most of the time, so don’t be a hypocrite.”

Vlad laughs, and the tension is broken. Sasha grabs my hand, and we retreat upstairs, blood dripping on the carpet as we go.

* * *

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