Page 24 of Villain's Prey

It feels like … home.

16

OLIVIA

Sergei lets out a groan when he eats the last bit of French toast off his plate. I don’t know why that fills me with happiness, but it does.

“That was amazing, princess.” He gives me a charming smile that is foreign to his face. The tension he had from dealing with his brother has fallen away, but I know that can only last for so long.

“I’m glad you enjoyed it.”

“Your mom teach you to cook?”

“She did, but my dad taught me how to make breakfast. He always made Sunday breakfast. I would wake up to the smell of him cooking, and I would rush out of bed to help him.” The second the words cross my lips I know they’re a mistake.

It’s a bucket of cold water dumped on myself, bringing me back to reality. Sadness fills me at the thought of how worried my family must be. I bet my dad isn’t making breakfast this Sunday morning.

“Stay with me.” Sergei grips my chin, bringing my attention back to him. “I may think certain things about your father, but I know he’s good to his kids.”

“He is.” I smile, loving that Sergei just gave me that.

“I’ll clean up.” He slips off the chair.

I watch him clear our plates and load the dishwasher before wiping down the counters. Sergei is a bit of a neat freak. Seeing these small things makes him more human to me.

“You asked your brother how he found this place.”

“Little shit,” he mutters.

“Is no one supposed to know about it?”

“No, it’s mine.” He runs his hand through his short hair. “You’re the first person I brought here.”

“Sergei.” He keeps making my heart melt. I never thought a Taletti could slip into my heart before. It has to be some kind of love. But I can’t help but worry. About everything. About myself. About what will happen to Sergei.

“It’s not a big deal.” He tries to downplay it.

“Liar.” I smirk, tossing the word back at him he’d said to me that first day. How was that only yesterday?

“I am.” He comes around the counter, plucking me out of my seat to sit me on top of the counter. “I lie, steal, cheat, and”—he leans in closer—“kill.” A shiver runs down my body, but it’s not one of fear. His words excite me. I can’t help my body's reaction.

“Torture. You forgot that one.”

“Suppose I did.”

I rest my hands on his chest. “Now what?”

“Honestly, I don’t know.” His hands come down on the counter, one on each side of me, caging me in.

I don’t lean away. In fact, I lean in closer. “Is it only a matter of time before your father and his men show up here?”

“Sal will buy me some time.”

“I’m sorry.”

“You’re sorry?” He barks out a laugh.

“That you and your brother are in such a mess. I couldn’t imagine being in that position with my family. It would be hard. So yeah, I’m sorry.”

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