Page 95 of Velvet Chains
Hey, going to have lunch with Ksenia & Eli. Surprising, right? But yeah, just wanted to let you know…
My thumb hovers over the send button, uncertainty twisting in my gut. Is this too needy? Too desperate?
Fuck it. I hit send before I can second-guess myself.
He’s my husband, fake or not. He should know where I am.
With another grunt, I heave myself out of bed, my body protesting every movement. I wonder what time I’m supposed to be ready for this lunch date from hell.
The thought of spending extended time with Ksenia makes my skin crawl. I know she doesn’t like me, know she thinks I’m not good enough for her precious brother. And honestly, she scares the shit out of me.
But Eli will be there. Sweet, adorable Eli. That makes it bearable, at least.
I trudge to the bathroom, stripping off my sweat-soaked pajamas and stepping into the shower. The hot water pounds against my skin, easing some of the tension in my muscles.
After washing my hair and scrubbing myself raw, I step out, wrapping a fluffy towel around my body. I wipe the steam from the mirror, staring at my reflection.
I look like hell. Dark circles under my eyes, skin pale and drawn. But I can’t exactly show up to lunch looking like a zombie, can I?
With a sigh, I set to work, blow-drying my hair and applying a light layer of makeup. I rummage through my closet, pulling out a pair of dark skinny jeans and a flowy, emerald-green blouse. Casual but classy.
I slip on a pair of high ankle boots, taking one last look in the mirror. It’s as good as it’s going to get.
I’m just about to head downstairs when I hear a loud thumping on my door. Followed by a high-pitched, excited voice.
“Tetya Laura! Are you in there?”
Eli. A smile tugs at my lips despite the nerves churning in my stomach.
I open the door, revealing a beaming Eli, practically vibrating with energy.
“There you are!” she exclaims, bouncing on her toes. “Mama says it’s time to go. Are you ready?”
I take a deep breath, forcing my smile to widen. “As ready as I’ll ever be, munchkin. Lead the way.”
Eli grabs my hand, tugging me down the stairs, chattering a mile a minute about all the things she wants to do at lunch.
But even as I listen to her, nodding and smiling in all the right places, I can’t shake the feeling of dread that’s settled in the pit of my stomach.
Because I know without a doubt that this lunch is more than just a casual get-together.
It’s an interrogation. A test.
And if I fail, if Ksenia even suspects the truth…
I’m not sure I’ll make it out in one piece.
I step out of the SUV, my eyes darting around nervously. Ari, the bear of a man who drove me here, is already out, his gaze sweeping the area like he’s expecting an ambush any second.
Jesus, are we about to be attacked or something?
My heart is pounding. This is just lunch, not a fucking military operation.
But I guess when you’re a Morozov, even a simple meal comes with a side of paranoia.
We’re at some fancy-ass restaurant, the kind with a French name I can’t pronounce and a menu that probably doesn’t even have prices listed. Just stepping through the door makes me feel underdressed, even in my nice blouse and jeans.
A snooty-looking host practically trips over himself to greet Ksenia, bowing and scraping like she’s the fucking Queen of England. I resist the urge to roll my eyes.
