Mag-log inLELLA"The boy is clumsy with things he doesn't own," Viktor growled, which made the hair on my arms stand up. He turned his head slowly to face his nephew, his eyes flashing with a terrifying authority. "And he is very, very bad at keeping track of his property."Conrad’s face went pale. "Uncle, stay out of this. This is between my girlfriend and me.""Is she?" Viktor leaned back, his hand now resting casually on the back of my chair, effectively caging me in. I dropped my fork on my plate and cursed silently. My heart started racing instantly. He wouldn’t bring up what happened yesterday, would he? “Sorry, I'm late!”The air in the room shifted from frozen to electric by the shrill voice of Polina. Conrad immediately took his hands off my thigh. Thank God! His mother and sister practically glowed, their faces softening into the kind of warmth they had never once shown me. “It's okay, my dear! Sit! Sit beside Conrad.” “Get out of there, Lella. That's Polina’s seat,” Catya r
LELLA I need to get out of this place. I need to go to a place where he can't find me. Where I can't remember an inch of his uncle's face. “Lella, I'm talking to you!” I went straight to the closet and aggressively shoved a stack of clothes into a suitcase, ignoring his presence. “Are you still upset about Polina? As an heir, there will always be women around me and as my partner, you should learn to understand that,” he sneered. I scoffed in disbelief. “Sorry, I can’t do that. Find someone else. That slap last night was enough of a wake-up call.” I close my suitcase after I secure all of my clothes. Since Joaquin is in Manhattan, I can ask for help with taking the remaining things here later. I turned toward the door, but Conrad grabbed my arm harshly. “Okay, I'm sorry that I hurt you last night. But it was your fault because you hurt Polina first.” “She pushed me off the pool, Conrad!” “It was an accident!” “And you believed her?!” His expression darkened. "Fin
LELLAIt was deep, possessive, and hungry. A kiss that tasted like a beginning and an ending all at once. My sanity frayed as he kissed me back, his weight settling over me, grounding me in a way I had never felt before.A rage of heat dropped to my core and I needed more.I touched his face, ran a hand across his cheek and into his hair and pulled his lips harder against mine. The graze of his teeth made a desperate noise down my throat. I thought he might step away, conflicted and with my heavy breath between us, but he drew on my lips sweetly, first the top lip, and then the bottom.Every inch of me vibrated beneath the surface, hummed, and inflamed whenever my body touched his. I rolled my hips and arched closer against him, feeling incredible heat beyond our wet clothes, and then I licked the inside of his mouth. Like a reflex, he sucked on my tongue. Heat, tiny pricks of heat, consumed me from the inside out.I gave in to the urge to slide my tongue across the scar on his lower
LELLASitting in the driver’s seat was well known Viktor Volkonsky. The man who actually held the second key to the Volkonsky empire. The man Conrad feared more than anyone on earth. At thirty-two, he was a legend of cold brilliance, and right now, his silver eyes were fixed on me through the rearview mirror with an expression that wasn't cold at all. It was dangerous."U-Uncle V-Viktor… I'm sorry I got in the wrong car,” I stammered.“Uncle…” He scoffed, and I don't know why I find it attractive.My hands immediately fumbled for the door handle. "I'm sorry I'm getting your leather seats soaked–"A sharp click of the electronic locks suddenly echoed in the small space.He locked the door? He did!"Stay," he commanded. He reached into the passenger seat, pulling out a thick, grey towel. "Dry yourself, Lella. You’re shivering."Lella? How did he know my name? He must have heard it earlier from Conrad. Did he see that embarrassing moment? I mean, the slapped from his nephew? God! It
LELLAI could hear her gritting her teeth in fury despite the loud noise around us. I pulled my arm away from her grip and closed the distance between us. “Who are you that I need to obey?” Polina stepped closer. "You’re pathetic, honestly. Staying with him when you know exactly where he belongs. Why don't you just do yourself a favor and walk out? Save some dignity.”I felt that familiar heat rise in my chest, but I kept my voice icy. I wasn't going to give her the satisfaction of a breakdown.“You're the one who's pathetic and doesn't have dignity. Asking me to leave Conrad? Why? Do you feel threatened by my presence because you know he won't let me go?” I smirked when her jaw clenched. “Anyway, enjoy the scraps.”I turned my back on her, intending to weave through the dancing crowd and find the exit. But the party had reached a fever pitch. A group of guys started a chant, jumping into the shallow end, sending a spray of water over the deck. Everyone was screaming and laughing,
LELLAI headed back into the hotel with my head held high and handed the resignation letter to Sofia. She looked at the signature and then at my bruised cheek with a pained expression."I'm done, Sofia," I whispered. "I'm officially out.""I see that," she said softly, reaching out to squeeze my hand. "But listen... you're still coming tonight, right? My birthday party is at my place. You promised, and don't dare hide away because of them."I bit my inner cheek and looked away.I'm not sure if the Volkonsky family is there. Maybe only his mother because Sofia's mother and Conrad’s mother are relatives. And I know he's there too.I don't want to see his face, smell his scent, I don't want to see even the strand of the asshole's hair. Everything that reminds me of him made me throw up.I slowly shook my head. “I'm sorry, Sofia–”“Come on! We planned this together. I already agreed to a pool party, only wine or juice and no hard liquor, and inviting our favorite band just for tonight.







