Page 53 of Wrapped in Perfection

Anna's face brightens, but then she frowns. "I have a lobby design I did on my computer in New York. It would flow well with the overall aesthetics of the unit. I also had samples of the materials in my apartment and a different lighting book I loved. I didn't see those in the showrooms yesterday, but the costs would fit in your budget."

"I will get your computer and samples back, kotik."If I have to go to New York and squeeze the life out of your ex myself, I will.When she admitted to me what he did to her, it took everything I had to remain calm. But my insides were a raging furnace of anger.

She furrows her brows. "How?"

"Don't worry about it. But I will."

My answer doesn't appease her. "Dmitri?"

I try to kiss her, but she pulls away.

"Don't do that to me."

"Do what?"

"Treat me how my brother would."

I drag my finger over her breast. "I don't think I treat you anything like your brother would."

She sits up. Her face hardens. "I'm not a child you need to protect."

"I didn't say that, kotik."

She gets out of bed and glances around the room.

"What are you doing?"

There's no sexier ass in the world than hers.

She doesn't answer and leaves the room.

I follow her. "Anna?"

She snags my shirt off the ground and puts it on, fastening only a few buttons. She sits on the floor, grabs a wallpaper book, and quietly says, "I've got a lot of work to do."

I throw on my boxers, sit next to her, and rub my hand on her back.

She closes her eyes.

"This isn't worth getting into a fight over."

She turns to me and angrily replies, "You said, and I quote, 'When I ask a question, I want answers. Just like if you ask me something, I will tell you.' I guess your statement is only true when it's convenient for you."

I groan. She's right. I demanded full disclosure from her and told her I'd give it to her in return. "Listen to me, kotik. Some things are meant to stay secret for a reason. The less you know about certain things, the better."

She turns to me. "You got upset with me when I asked you about your dealings with the Rossi family. You accused me of thinking you were in the Russian mafia, which I didn't even consider, by the way. But now you say things like this, and I don't know what to think."

"So now I'm part of the Russian mob?"

"No. But you're acting shady."

"Shady?"

"Yeah. And I don't want you to do something for me that is going to land you in jail or worse."

I pull her onto my lap. "I'm not going to do anything of the sort."

I know how to cover my tracks at all times.

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