Page 132 of Ripped Veil (Ripped Bratva)

Tossing the towel aside, I hurry towards the little steps that descend into the pool. I can feel his eyes on me, but I pointedly ignore them.

Thankfully, the water’s warm, so I submerge myself as quickly as possible. Once I’m in the water, I feel tons better.

That is, until he glides over to me.

“It suits you,” he murmurs.

“Thanks. What excellent taste you have.” He chuckles. I just roll my eyes. “Are you here to teach me or laugh at me?” I snap.

“Okay, first lesson: stop being afraid of the water.”

“Easy for you to say.”

“Elyssa.”

“What?”

“Look at me.”

I wish I had the power to resist him. I wish I had the power to look at him without feeling tremors running riot inside me.

But I don’t have that power. Because when Phoenix Kovalyov speaks, all I can do is listen.

I drag my eyes up to his face. “I’m looking,” I whisper in a tiny voice.

“There’s nothing to fear. I’m right here with you, and I’ll never let anything happen to you. Do you understand that?”

I swallow back a strange taste in my mouth. “Okay,” I say. “Okay.”

“Good. Now come here.”

“Come where?”

He holds out his hands. “We’re going to practice floating.”

“Why do I need to be over there for that to happen?”

“You need to get comfortable in the water,” he explains. “You need to let it hold you. Carry you. Support you.”

“Sounds like a lot to ask. We just met,” I say woodenly. The joke falls extremely flat.

He still smiles. A pity smile, most probably, but I take it. “You’re nervous.”

“What gave me away?”

“Because of the water?”

I’m not expecting the question which is the only reason I answer honestly. “Mostly because of you.”

He tilts his head to the side as if to look at me from a new angle. “Why?”

I shake my head, refusing to answer.

“Fine. Keep your secrets. But you have to listen to my instructions. Now come here.”

Doing my best to hide my trembling, I do as he says.

“Push your legs up and fall back against the water,” he instructs me. “Face the sky. Let the water carry you.”

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