Page 58 of The Watcher's Bride

“I promise,” I reply, still reeling from his revelation.

Some bell inside my mind rings and I struggle to grasp what Leo’s words have made me think of. There’s a connection forming but it’s whipped away from me before I can grasp it asLeo takes my hand and helps me out of the car. I have so many questions, but they’re going to have to wait. It’s time for us to enter the dragon’s lair.

All eyes are on us as we enter, the sea of people parting as we make our way through. Various people come up to congratulate Leo and survey me with naked curiosity. I’m grateful for the feel of Leo’s strong arm that I cling to like a life raft.

He continues to lead us through the busy casino floor toward the VIP section where his uncle and the other more important members of the family are seated. As we near it, a man and a woman approach us. Both of them have the sort of model good looks that make them stand out in a crowd. The man stands almost as tall as Leo, though he appears to be a little older. The flecks of gray in his hair and the neatly trimmed beard that frames his chiseled jawline only serve to give him a distinguished look.

The woman is breathtakingly beautiful. In her heels, she towers over me at almost six feet. Her long legs and slim yet curvaceous figure are highlighted by the skimpy gold dress she wears that leaves little to the imagination. Her ice-blonde hair hangs down her back to her waist and she has the perfect Slavic features that most influencers can only dream of replicating.

“Leonid, so good to see you,” she purrs with a heavy Russian accent, leaning in to kiss him on the cheek, placing her hand on his arm and leaving it there.

“You too, Tatiana,” he replies before turning his attention to the man. “And you, Nikolai,” he says with a genuine smile, shaking the man’s hand. “Allow me to introduce my wife,Norelle,” he says pointedly, trying to extract himself from Tatiana’s grip.

“Ah yes, we heard you had finally agreed to marry, and to a Quinn no less. We were very curious about the match… very curious indeed,” the man says, surveying me. “It is a pleasure to meet you, Norelle.” He takes my hand in his and kisses it, holding his lips there.

I try not to recoil. It seems I’m not over my aversion to being touched, only feeling safe with Leo.

Leo makes a sound that’s akin to a growl, low and warning. “Ostorozhno,” he says in Russian.

I’m surprised to hear him speak it. Although I know he’s Russian, I’ve never heard him speak the language and assumed perhaps he couldn’t. His voice sounds even more masculine and gruff in Russian, and strangely familiar.

Nikolai drops my hand and chuckles at Leo. “Still not the sharing type, I see, brother. Tatiana will be most disappointed, she was especially hoping you might be up for some fun tonight.”

“Maybe Norelle doesn’t mind sharing,” Tatiana purrs, stroking Leo’s arm suggestively, her blue eyes laser-focused on him.

“Norelle does mind,” I say bluntly.

“Ow, such a shame.” She pouts, not taking her hand off of Leo while Nikolai’s hand trails along the exposed skin of her back, watching curiously.

I’m about to tell Tatiana to remove her hand before I remove it for her, jealousy raging through me, but Leo politelybut firmly does it for me. “A pleasure as always to see you both,” he says with only a trace of sarcasm. “But we must get going, the Pakhan is expecting us.”

“Of course. We expect a dance later, though. Can’t have you hogging the delectable Norelle all evening,” Nikolai replies with a wink, bowing slightly as he and Tatiana move so we can pass.

Leo nods in agreement, a slight grimace on his face at the prospect. He places his hand on my waist and gently steers me away.

“Who are they? We don’t really have to dance with them later, do we?” I ask as we walk away.

“Unfortunately, we do. They’re from the Russian contingency of the family and rather important. If Nikolai and his wife request a dance, it would be unwise to refuse. Just be grateful that we’re senior enough that we can refuse their other requests,” he whispers back. “Thankfully, Nikolai is a loyal friend, and I trust that he would not overstep. He simply enjoys winding me up.”

“They’re married? Why on earth were they coming on to us, then?” I reply in surprise.

Leo chuckles lightly. “Happily so. They just happen to enjoy sharing their marital bed with others.” I make a look of distaste and Leo adds, “Hopefully, they’ll find some more willing participants before they ask for that dance. I’m not sure I can watch Nikolai touch you without ripping his head off, friend or not,” he says lightly, though I can tell he’s deadly serious.

Strangely enough, I feel the same way about Tatiana. I remind myself that although Leo is technically my husband, we’re not a couple.

“So you’re not tempted to take Tatiana up on the offer? She’s a very beautiful woman,” I say casually, trying to hide the jealousy I feel thinking about how she was toward Leo.

“I happen to take the wedding vows I made to you very seriously. I am yours, no one else’s, and you aremine,” he says possessively, making it clear that in no uncertain terms would he tolerate me being with anyone else.

“You don’t need to worry about me wanting to be with anyone. I have… intimacy issues. It’s why I pushed you away before,” I try to explain.

“Yet you seem to tolerate my touch, perhaps even enjoy it,” he points out.

Leo must be a more astute observer than I’d realized as I’ve never told him about my issues with being touched before.

“What did you say to him when you spoke in Russian?” I ask curiously.

“I told him to be careful,” he explains. “I don’t care who he is or how good a friend, if he kept touching what isn’t his, I’d have to retaliate.”

---