Page 83 of Velvet Chains
He’s been quiet throughout the meal, only speaking when directly addressed. And even then, his responses are short, clipped.
I can’t quite put my finger on it, but something about him sets me on edge. It’s like he’s got this aura of barely contained anger simmering just beneath the surface.
And then there’s the way he keeps eyeing his phone like he’s waiting for something. Or someone.
I try to shake off the unease, telling myself I’m just being paranoid. But as I reach for my own phone to check the time, my hand brushes against Dimitry’s.
And that’s when I see it. A message flashing across his screen.
The ledger. Find it, or else.
I blink, my heart stuttering in my chest.
What the fuck?
But before I can react, Dimitry snatches his phone away, his eyes narrowing. He stands abruptly, his chair scraping against the floor.
“I have to take this,” he mutters, not even bothering to excuse himself.
And then he’s gone, leaving a heavy silence in his wake.
I sit there, my mind reeling.
What the hell was that about? What ledger?
And why does it feel like I just stumbled into something I really, really shouldn’t have seen?
Chapter 34
Laura
THE NEXT morning.
I walk into the mansion, footsteps sharp against the polished marble floor. Victor’s waiting for me by the car, his arms crossed and his brow furrowed.
“Hey,” I greet him, my voice coming out a little more breathless than I’d like.
Damn, he looks good. Tired but still hot as hell.
His muscles are hard under the white shirt he’s wearing, and those forearms… God, I haven’t been able to stop thinking about them since last night.
But Victor just nods, sliding into the G-Class without so much as a “hey” back. My heart sinks a little at his lack of response.
I was so excited when I got his text late last night, saying he’d be sending me over to the bookstore today. But now, seeing him in this mood…
Well, good morning to you too, Mr. Grumpy Pants, I think, trying not to let his attitude get to me. Who pissed in your coffee this morning?
Victor reaches over, opening the passenger door for me. I hike up my black skirt a little, trying to climb into the tall SUV gracefully. It’s not easy in these heels and this tight skirt, but I manage, sliding onto the leather seat next to him.
I can feel his eyes on me as I buckle my seatbelt, and I glance over, catching him staring at my chest. My white cashmere button-up is gaping a little, revealing a hint of cleavage. I clear my throat, and Victor’s gaze snaps up to my face.
I take a moment to really look at him, noticing the dark circles under his eyes, the weariness in his posture. He looks exhausted, like he hasn’t slept in days. A part of me wants to reach out, to pull his head into my lap and run my fingers through his hair until he falls asleep.
Stop it, Laura, I scold myself, shaking off the thought. He’s not a puppy. He’s a dangerous man who’s only tolerating you because he has to.
“What happened?” I ask, taking in his disheveled appearance. His usually immaculate suit is wrinkled, and there’s a splash of something dark on his white shirt.
Victor scowls, his eyes narrowing. “What makes you think something happened?
