Page 16 of Cookie: Part One
“Da…”
“And Dimitri?” I ask, and she huffs a laugh, looking down.
“He’s soft. Gentle. Loyal to a fault. But don’t let zhat fool you, he’ll destroy anyone who tries to hurt zee people he cares about. He’s cute, but he’scalculated.Everyzhing about him isdeliberate.”Hot… and I damn sure wouldn’t say everything about him is gentle… that man likes to fuck hard and long.
“A-and Mikhail?” Pyper’s whole face shifts and for the first time, so does Alik’s. His jaw tightens, while Pyper’s eyes narrow. They are wearing the kind of expression that saysdon’t ask, but I already did.
“Mikhail,” Pyper finally speaks after a short silence. “Is a valking red flag vrapped in money. He’s reckless and arrogant, unbozhered by rules or consequences. He acts like ze vorld belongs to him, and to be fair, most of it does,” she pauses briefly. “But he’s psychotic and he’s alvays been like that. Ze kind of boy to set ants on fire vit a magnifying glass and laugh.”
“Sounds charming,” I mutter dryly, and she nods.
“Mikhail is dangerous, ruzhless and doesn’t care about anyone. Hejustcollects.Vomen. Men. Power. Secrets. He uses you until he’s bored, zhen tosses you aside like you never mattered. And ze vorst part?” She looks me straight in the eyes. “People alvays go back for more.”
That tracks…
I don’t say anything. I can’t, because my pulse is in my throat as I walk in silence, my eyes on Alik, who’s been unusually quiet as we make our way back to the house.
By the time I see the house again, I’m breathing hard because this place is too fucking big. Like unnecessarily big.I need a golf cart if I’m going to stay here.
“I zhink I’ve done enough oversharing for one night,” Pyper yawns, giving me a half-smile that doesn’t quite reach her eyes. “I’m calling it.”
“Already?”
“Da,” she nods, stretching her arms. “Tomorrow, ze real circus starts.”
“What’s happening tomorrow?”
“Ze engagement celebration,” she answers, sagging and groaning.
“And what’s so groanable about that?”
“Ugh, you’re lucky you don’t have to see, but if youdodecide to stop by, you vill see vhat I mean,” she cringes and I grin, glancing over to Alik who’s smiling lightly.
“Damn, sounds like my kind of party.” I wiggle my brows, and she snorts.
“Vhen you see people chugging enough vodka to drown a small village, and zhey want you to join ze novelty quickly wears off.” Alik rubs his temples and I chuckle.
“Right,” Pyper mutters as we walk a few more steps until we reach the steps and she yawns. “I’m calling it a night. Are you guys coming?” I shake my head and she turns to Alik, who also shakes his. “Fine, you guys don’t stay up too late.” She winks and I want to groan, but instead, I watch her walk off and go back to walking, Alik falling in step with me.
I walk ahead, legs and body oddly feeling better after drinking that delicious ass silver medicine that Alik gave me. I stretch my arms, feeling at peace. This place is huge and even though we all walked for hours, there’s still so much more to see.
Alik and I have been walking for a while in complete silence, and while I don’t mind, I can tell he wants to ask me something.
“Whatever it is, just say it,” I tell him, and he looks my way.
“Hov are you feeling? Are you enjoying your stay?” he asks bluntly, and I smile awkwardly, glancing over to Alik. This is why even after our breakup he’s still my best friend. He’s so damn caring.
“It feels good here. For the most part, the people are kind, it’s quiet, and there are a lot of guards so I can walk freely. In fact, that’s the perfect word… I feel free here,” I breathe out and he stops in his tracks and takes my hands.
“I’m glad. I really vant you to be happy.” he frowns, watching my every facial expression, and I school them perfectly so as not to worry him.
“I’m the happiest I’ve been in a long time,” I tell him honestly. I did go through a bit of a depression when him and I broke up, but I couldn’t figure out why since it was mutual. It felt like a piece of me was missing… like a link had been forcibly cut off being with him now feels right as he places my hand on his heart, breathing out a sigh of relief.
“Good… your happiness means everyzhing to me.” My heart hurts hearing that but I smile…I need to smile.
“Th-thank you, Alik. Yours means a lot to me too,” I beam at him then look up, loving the night sky and breathing in the air, tired yet happy to be able to be outside like this. I want to take advantage as much as I can before we go back home.
Being here is so thrilling and freeing, to the point I almost regret having to return home to my box with closed curtains, shaded windows, and extreme paranoia.
