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Chapter 17
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Ivan's Betrayal Chapter 18
The walk home was quick and uneventful. Concentrating on Ivan’s briskconversation and thinking what she had to tell him later causedher stomach toknot up Following her lead, he stopped talking, and they walked in silence back to his condo. Once inside, Victoria quickly volunteered to fix dinner. Glad for the reprieve she started rummaging through the refrigerator for cook. Seeing movement behind her she glanced out of the corner of her eye, and saw Ivan watching her. “Is everything okay?” he asked. Arms loaded with food, she closed the refrigerator and turned to face him “No. Why?” “You were awfully quiet on the walk home.” “Oh.” What could she say? He’d noticed her lack of attention and participation in the mainly one-sided conversation? He couldn’t possibly know she was tense, nervous, and frustrated, could he? Nope, that would be impossible. She had her own weirdness but even she knew there wasn’t such a thing as mind reading. “You’re worried about something. Wha
Ivan's Betrayal Chapter 19
Placing her palm in his, she felt a spark when his palm closed around hers. She allowed him to lead her to the living room where he sat beside her on the love seat. Their knees touched, adding to the sexual excitement already coursing through her body. “I want to get to know you better. I want to pursue a relationship with you.” He turned so he was facing her, looking at her intently. “I know I’m being direct, but this is how I feel. I’ve had a crush on you since we were kids. I’ve thought about you a lot over the years.” He paused. “I even went back home, but you weren’t there.” “When did you go back home?” she asked in a soft voice, unable to believe he wanted the same things she did. “About a year ago, around September. I went to your mother’s house, but someone I didn’t recognize answered the door. They knew you, but didn’t know where you had gone.” “My mother had gotten worse and had to be placed in a nursing home to receive around the clock medical attention. I had to rent o
Ivan's Betrayal Chapter 20
Ivan lay beside Victoria. He closed his eyes, trying to ignore the guilt and inner turmoil raging inside of him. He could not make love with Victoria anymore until he told her the truth. If she had opened her eyes while they were having sex, she would have seen the mate’s glow, and he could offer her no explanation without revealing everything to her. At this point he still couldn’t tell her the truth because he had given his father his word.He didn’t realize the full extent of his lies until he heard her screaming “Ivan” during her release. His mate did not even know his real name. She only knew him as Ivan, a character he was playing. Guilt ricocheted through him. He knew from experience the sex shouldn’t have been that intense and sensual. However, as mates the sex would be mind-blowing each time they came together. Every instance of lovemaking would strengthen their bond and mental connection. Of course, Victoria couldn’t know that. There was a special place in hell for him.
Ivan's Betrayal Chapter 21
arim watched the woman enter the clothing store. He believed she was the heir, but since there were so many humans and other overwhelming smells, he could not be one hundred percent sure until she was away from the crowds. He had left host quarters as soon as he’d finished migrata. Once he stepped aboveground and was in fresh air, he recognized the scent. After making sure he wasn’t being watched or followed, he had pursued the smell and arrived at the mall. Once there, the scent mixed in with odors from the other dozens of people milling about. He recognized the various illnesses, lust, human food, blood. Not to mention other irritating smells, like the sewer for instance. He was almost about to give in to the temptation of tasting the sweet, powerful blood flowing so freely around him when the delicate scent reached his nose. Thoughts of draining the pretty young girl who walked too close to him left his mind. He let the scent lead him inside the mall, through stores, up and down es
Ivan's Betrayal Chapter 22
“Is something wrong?” Victoria asked. Ivan had stopped with her bags and was staring across the driveway at something. She couldn’t see who or what it is. She stepped closer to Ivan and peered in the direction he was looking. “That’s the man who was watching me at the mall,” she said, her voice beginning to rise with fear. “What is he doing here? Did he follow me?” She heard Ivan issue a sharp curse. “Go inside and let me handle this.” Before Victoria could ask him what was wrong with him, she was being pushed in the direction of Ivan's home. She watched in horror as the man started walking toward them. Victoria began to move and nearly stumbled as she was pushed harder towards the apartment. Nearly losing her balance, she regained her step and heard the strange man shout in their direction. “Khafil, face me instead of running like a coward!” She paused with wide eyes at the barely contained violence in the man’s eyes. “Who is Khafil?” she asked, looking from Ivan to the man
Ivan's Betrayal Chapter 23
The man she knew as Ivan, who she thought she loved as Ivan, turned facing her, looking for the first time like someone she didn’t recognize. “He is right. My name is Khafil.” She swayed as she heard a rushing sound in her ears. She saw “Khafil” reach out to steady her. “Don’t touch me,” she whispered, feeling sick. She stepped away from him and Sarim. She took a deep breath and tried not to throw up in front of them, further embarrassing herself. She would not fall apart in front of him. Despite the pain of her heart breaking, she forced herself to look into the bastard’s lying face. “Did you know Sarim, my father,”—she almost choked on the words—“was searching for me?” “Yes.” Unable to stop it, Victoria turned around and vomited on the pavement. Her body recoiling against the fact she had been cruelly used and deceived. She heard Khafil let out a string of curses. “Is this what you wanted? Are you satisfied now?” he asked the man claiming to be her father. Sarim chuckled
Ivan's Betrayal Chapter 24
“If you would please just let me explain,” he began.Victoria had had enough of his lies, and manipulation. She wanted answers about who and what he really was. “No”, she interrupted. “I’ve been listening to you long enough.”She took a deep breath and pushed the pain and hurt away to a different part of her mind. She needed answers and she needed to be in control to focus and ask the right questions. She turned to look at Khafil, closing her eyes against the hurt looking at his perfect lying face brought. She opened her eyes again to find him staring at her. At first glance he looked cold and aloof, but she saw the tightening around his eyes. As she studied him, she also saw he was tired. Could he really be sorry about his lies and deceit? Looking at him and remembering their history, it was hard to believe he felt nothing for her. The way they’d made love had to be based on some type of real feelings, didn’t it?Then she remembered the look on Khafil’s face when he laughed at Sarim
Ivan's Betrayal Chapter 25
Victoria laughed bitterly. “You are absolutely right. All his handpicked groom had to do was lie to me about his identity, seduce me, and have unprotected sex with me.” She turned, facing him, letting him see her disgust. “Just like you did, right?”“I admit I didn’t handle the situation well.”“You’re damn right you didn’t handle the situation well."You could have told me the truth at any time but you didn’t.” She fumed, ignoring the wave of fresh pain and anger. “You chose to lie and continue your charade. I don’t know who makes me sicker. My father for what he planned, or you for what you actually did.”Anger was streaming unchecked though her. She had the violent urge to hit something.“I’m the prize brood mare in a sick, twisted vampire nation.” She turned her hurt-filled gaze on him.“How could you?” she repeated the earlier question.She watched as the cold mask fell back on his face.“I had no choice.”Victoria reached over and slapped him. Hard. Satisfaction filled her when
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