“I don’t know,” I say. In an attempt at distraction, I stretch, allowing my breasts to float above the water. “You told me you’re working with Jorge, and youdidpull a gun on him at our wedding.” I grin at the memory.
A hiss of air escapes between his lips. “We’re working through our differences.” But I notice the way his jaw tightens, and I file away this information for later.
“And what about your safety?”
His laugh is cold and hard. “My life is always in danger. Nothing’s really changed.”
Unease blooms somewhere deep inside, and I don’t like it. I’m getting lost in Daniil, consumed by these moments of connection between us, and if I let that happen, all will be lost.
Because in the end, he’d betray me too. Bratva business above everything else, that’s always the way. I tell myself he’s different from my uncle, but how could he be? He was born and raised in the brotherhood, and it’s no fucking different than any other organized crime family.
I rise from the water, steam curling around me like tendrils of smoke. “I’m beat,” I say. “Let’s go upstairs.”
He stands, pulling me against him, allowing our naked bodies to slide together. Despite the warmth clinging to my skin, all I feel is the icy burn of my betrayal.
CHAPTERTWENTY-FOUR
BIANCA
“So,how have you been settling in here?” Georgia sits back in her seat, lifting her face to the sun in an attempt to soak up the fading afternoon rays. We’re enjoying pre-dinner cocktails on the terrace, the sounds of the ocean mingling with the distant call of seagulls.
I can’t help but break out in a grin. “It’s going well,” I admit. “Being out of the city has been good for me and being by the ocean is a dream.” It’s true, I’ve found a rhythm living here that’s been good for my soul—soaking up the beautiful early fall weather; walking along the beach with Eris playing in the surf; spending hours in the library getting lost in a book; and of course, Daniil.
He’s still as busy as ever, but he’s making more time for me. My hand reaches up and trails the delicate chain of the necklace he gifted me last night. He’d blindfolded me and made me stand naked in front of the full-length mirror in our bedroom. His heavy chest pressed into my back, as he slipped something cool and delicate around my neck. Removing the blindfold, his fingers traced the chain all the way down to his initials which fell squarely between my breasts.
I couldn’t help but laugh. “Your initials?”
His eyes snagged with mine in the mirror. “So everyone knows who you belong to.”
Even now, a smile still dances on my lips, and Georgia flashes me a sly grin. “Mm, I bet it’s going really well,” she says, taking a sip of her oversized margarita. “I’ve never seen Daniil so… relaxed.”
“Yeah well…” I slip my hair behind my shoulders. “I suppose I have that effect on him.”
She holds out her drink to me, and I raise my glass in cheers.
“I’m sorry I haven’t been around more,” she says with a grimace. “Between teaching and Andrei’s schedule and the fundraiser I’m planning for a Brooklyn-based art school, I’m always so stretched.”
“No need to apologize,” I wave my hand dismissively. “You have a life, and I’m happy for you. Now tell me about this fundraiser you’re planning.”
“Oh, I hope you’ll come!” she squeals. “It’s at the Bellair, and it’s going to be epic…”
As Georgia continues on, I can’t help smiling to myself. I’ve come to really like my sister-in-law. She’s no bullshit, and although her and Andrei had a very unconventional beginning—starting with him taking her captive—they’ve somehow managed to make it work. Even better than that, judging by the perma-glow she’s always sporting. I wonder if Daniil and I could ever be like Georgia and Andrei. If we could beat the odds to become a real couple. But it’s a useless thought,and I dismiss it quickly.
“What about you?” Georgia asks, perching her sunglasses on her head and wrapping her shawl tighter around her shoulders. “Now that you’re settled in, have you thought about what you want to do with your time?”
“You say that as if Daniil would let me work. I don’t know what kind of good pussy voodoo you pulled on Andrei, but Daniil doesn’t seem keen on me having a job.”
Georgia nearly spits out her drink. “Damn. I didn’t even think about that. Maybe my pussy is magic.” We both burst out in laughter. “More likely, I just made Andrei realize if I’m not happy, he won’t be either.”
“Honestly,” I tell her, “I don’t even know what I’d do. I haven’t given my passion much thought.”
Emilio forbade me to go to college, claiming it was useless as I would be a mafia wife and well taken care of. Of course I went along with his demands, not only because I had little choice, but because I wanted him to believe I was on his side, willing to do whatever needed to be done for the cartel.
“You have some time to think about it now,” Georgia says, swiping at the salt on the rim of her margarita.
“I tried to talk Daniil into letting me work for him when we were first married. He was not open to that idea,” I add, frowning at the memory.
She huffs a laugh, tilting her head. “What exactly would you want to do for the brotherhood, anyway?”