Page 14 of Vendetta Vows

"You're just full of surprises, aren't you?"

"I'm not the only one." He looks at me. "Who hurt you, Aurora?"

His question stirs something in me that I've kept buried for years. For a dangerous moment, I imagine what it might be like to tell him everything: who I really am, and what I'm running from.

The thought is as terrifying as it is tempting.

But I can't.

"What makes you think I have any?"

"Everyone in this town has secrets," he replies. "But yours seem different. You were avoiding my attention back at the party. You want to be in films but you don't want to be noticed." His observation is casual but accurate. "And you flinch when you see photographers."

I swallow hard. "You're very perceptive. Has anyone ever told you that?"

"I notice things others don't."

"I'm just private," I say finally. "Not everyone wants their life splashed across Instagram."

The truth hangs unspoken between us.

He studies me for a moment. "Fair enough. But there's a difference between privacy and hiding."

He doesn't push further, allowing the moment to stretch between us. It's an invitation I have the option of accepting or declining as the pounding bass murmurs from Nikoforov.

The accuracy of his assessment makes my chest tighten. "And which one are you doing?" I counter. "Privacy or hiding?"

His smile returns, appreciative of my deflection as he opens his door and steps out to open mine. "A little bit of both."

His understanding tone makes me want to trust him with my secrets. But how can I explain to Ruslan that somewhere out there, a monster is still hunting a girl whom the world thinks is dead?

"Everyone's entitled to their privacy." A hand with the familiar tattoo of a small bird with broken wings extends toward me, beckoning me to take it. "Especially in this city that feeds on exposure. Don't you agree,zarechka?"

I take a deep breath and slide my hand into his, feeling the warmth pour from him as he helps me to my feet.

5

AURORA

The momentwe're through the doors, the pounding music hits me with a physicality I didn’t expect. Even with Ruslan's protective aura around me, I feel the bass vibrating through my chest. My eyes instinctively scan the floor and look to see if there are any other exits besides the door we just walked in through.

"Mr. Dragunov!" A tall, model-gorgeous woman with a sleek black bob materializes in front of us. "So good to see you tonight. Your suite is ready."

"Thank you, Alina." Ruslan's hand moves to the small of my back, guiding me forward.

We follow Alina through the throng of beautiful people. No one bumps into us; instead parting like the Red Sea wherever Ruslan walks.

We climb a curved staircase to a second level, then a third. Each floor is more exclusive than the last. With every step upward, the pulsing bass of the club diminishes by a few decibels. By the time we reach our destination, the powerful pounding bass has become nothing more than a murmuring rumble beneath our feet.

Alina unlocks a frosted glass door that leads to a secluded section overlooking the entire club.

"Will there be anything else?" Alina asks, her eyes flickering curiously to me.

"We're fine for now, thank you."

She nods and slips away, closing the door behind her.

This space is nothing like the chaos below. Plush leather couches, a private bar, and floor-to-ceiling windows. All of it designed to offer a panoramic view of the pulsing dance floor below in comfort.

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