Page 96 of Wicked Savage

Her face tightens, her mouth forming a thin line as she thinks. “Honestly? I don’t know. And that’s the truth. But you have to decide. Either move on or find a way to be with her. Because if you don’t figure it out, it’s going to eat you alive.”

“Feels like it already is.”

She snickers. “Looks like it too.” Standing up, she stretches, as though ready to move on from this conversation. “Come on, let’s go. Being alone isn’t going to help you.”

I shake my head. “Neither is the inquisition I’m about to face out there.”

“Don’t worry.” She drapes an arm around me as we head toward our family. “I’ll scare them into silence.”

I can’t help but laugh. “Yeah, I believe you.”

CHAPTER23

DINARA

The next day,Sonya approaches me as I grab my handbag from the foyer, ready to head out to see a movie with Tatiana and Gregory, who are already waiting for me in the car.

“There's a package for you, Ms. Marinova.” She holds out a small brown box.

“I’ll open it,” Boris says, taking it from her. He removes a flip knife from his keychain and slices the tape.

As he pulls the contents free, my breaths falter.

A perfume box—the same scent I wear. The one Cillian stole from me.

He got me another one.

A throb spreads through my chest, heavy and bittersweet. I hate that he had to steal the first bottle. I hate that we can’t be normal. That we can’t just be us.

My fingers draw over the sleek packaging, wanting to smash the perfume across the floor.

I picture his face, the way he would’ve looked as he gave this to me. Like a normal boyfriend. I would’ve sprayed a little and he’d have leaned in, dragging his nose up my throat as he inhaled it off my skin.

But no. He stays in the shadows, and I stay behind this invisible line he’s drawn between us.

I clutch the box tighter, swallowing the lump in my throat. I’m surprised he didn’t just break in again and leave it on my pillow. Would’ve been nice to catch him on camera this time. Would’ve been nice to see him at all.

“Could you bring it to my room?” I ask Sonya, needing it away from me before I really do smash it to pieces.

“Of course. I hope you all have fun!”

She waves goodbye as I head out with Boris, opening the back of his SUV, with Artem waiting in the passenger seat. As soon as I’m inside, we set off. Gregory, absorbed in a show on his tablet, barely notices as Tatiana shifts closer, her eyes flicking to mine.

“I need to tell you something.” Her voice is thick with tension.

Instantly, I sit up straighter.

“What’s wrong?” I whisper, not wanting Gregory to hear.

“I got a text this morning.”

My brows furrow. “From who?”

She leans in and whispers, “Papa.”

All the blood drains from my face.

“What?” I attempt to control the panic. “What did he say?”

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