Page 176 of Filthy Lies

Later, as we’re preparing to leave, Vince pulls me into a darkened alcove, his hands instantly finding my ass, gripping hard enough to bruise.

“I want to fuck you right here,” he growls against my throat. “Bend you over that table and make you scream my name while everyone wonders where the bride’s maid of honor disappeared to.”

Heat flares low in my belly, my body responding to him like it always has, like it always will.

“Not here,” I gasp as his fingers go hunting beneath my dress. “Vince, we can’t?—”

“We can do whatever the fuck we want.”.

I consider protesting, but why bother? There’s something hot about a man who couldn’t give a single shit less about the rules. And when he wants you bad enough to break every single one of them…

Well, that’s hot, too.

“Take me home first,” I beg. “Take me home and fuck me properly.”

He laughs against my skin. “Patience never was your strong suit, was it, Mrs. Akopov?”

“You’re not exactly Mr. Patient yourself.”

We collect Sofiya, who has fallen asleep in Daniil’s arms, and say our goodbyes.

As we’re leaving, Arkady approaches, looking healthier than I’ve seen him since the shooting. He’s got a slight limp and he takes way too much pleasure in swinging his cane around everywhere like Willy Wonka, but it’s good to see him on his feet again.

“Leaving so soon?” he asks.

“We’ve got business to attend to,” Vince says wickedly.

Arkady shudders, never one to miss a bit. “You could’ve just saidyes,you know. The vulgarity was rather unnecessary.”

“Don’t be such a prude,” I tease, poking him in the ribs.

He scowls and taps me on the shins with his cane. “Get thee away from me, wench.”

Vince snarls playfully and punches his friend in the shoulder. “Talk to my wife like that again and I’ll give you a limp on the other side to match.” Then his face eases. “Besides, you’ve got some business of your own to handle.”

Arkady’s face scrunches up. “Huh?”

In unison, Vince and I both turn and ogle Natalie, who’s standing at a bar across the room, glowing like a dime-piece withher hair in an elegant updo and her legs lookingPlayboy-worthy in her heels.

Understanding dawns on Arkady’s face, followed by confusion, then sheer glee. “Is that an order, boss?”

“Consider it a strong suggestion.” Vince winks. “From someone who knows how life-changing the right woman can be.”

His hand finds mine, squeezing tightly as we walk away into the night. Outside, our driver holds the door to the sleek black Bentley. Vince secures Sofiya in her car seat, then slides in beside me.

I nuzzle against him on the other side. “I love you,” he whispers into my ear. “You, Sofiya, this baby—you’re the only things I’ve ever truly loved.”

I touch his knuckles. “And we love you. All of you. Even the parts that terrify everyone else.”

He laughs softly, hands cradling my face with unexpected tenderness. “Especiallythoseparts, if your pussy’s reaction is anything to go by.”

I smack his chest playfully. “Asshole.”

“Yourasshole,” he corrects, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear. “Forever.”

The car pulls up to our compound, the gates opening automatically to admit us.

Us.My monsters, my loves, my safe haven in a world that would destroy us if it could.

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