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The Devil She Knows 57
Alessio"He's still in bed. Can't you come back later?" Uther's butler argues, trying to block my path."It's fucking eight o'clock. He should be up already." And it's Thursday, not even a weekend day. There's no reason for the asshole to be in bed sleeping at this hour.Since I don't give a fuck, I push past the wiry little man and make my way up the steps to Uther's bedroom. The fool, however, follows, clearly afraid of me but more terrified of what his boss will do to him if he allows me to disturb him."Please, just wait," the man continues, but I ignore him.I'm already cringing at the thought of seeing Uther again before the wedding, but I need to do this. I was really hoping Gytha would find something, but I know she would have exhausted all avenues before sending that message.When I reach the landing and draw closer to Uther's bedroom, the distinct sexual sounds of moaning erupt from his room. I realize then why the butler was hell bent on stopping me.When I glance back at h
The Devil She Knows 58
Camille"Oh my God, wow." Lorelai gasps when she walks into the hall and sees my wedding dress.She just arrived. As she does work experience at the theater off campus on Thursdays, this is the first chance we've had to see each other. Normally she's at the theater until much later. But after the way I left campus yesterday with Alessio, I knew she'd find a way to maneuver her schedule and see me.My head is still spinning from everything that happened and my body buzzing with sexual heat. I don't even know if I can talk the way she wants me to because I haven't been myself since I hopped on Alessio's motorcycle. It's like we rode into an alternate universe and my head is still stuck in the clouds.Lorelai saunters up to me, gives me a quick hug then we both stare at my dress."That is gorgeous, Camille." She brings her hands to her heart and smiles at me."Thank you. It really is gorgeous." Now I'm grateful I had Ehlga's help when we went to the bridal store. That day I wouldn't have
The Devil She Knows 59
Camille"Do you know where your heart lies?" My breath stills while I look at her, hoping she won't find some way to change the subject."Yes," she answers after a long moment, her expression becoming self-conscious and knowing. "But it might be better to be torn between two men who want you, than the situation where you know one wants you and the other just sees you as a thing he has no plans to love, or treat like a human being."Thank God, she's trusting me. A weight lifts from my shoulders and I step into the shoes of the friend I've always wanted to be to her."Is that what it's really like?""Yes."We stare at each other for a few awkward moments of silence while I wait for her to elaborate."You know about Zakh and me, don't you?" She speaks finally in a hushed voice. As if she's scared the trees might hear her."I do. Why didn't you tell me?""I was scared. I'm still scared.""Don't be."The vein at her temple pulses. "I love my parents with all my heart, but no one knows what
The Devil She Knows 60
CamilleThe tension drains from my body the moment I pierce through the water.The neon blue lights at the bottom of the pool come on, and I feel like I'm swimming in the sea. In my angst-filled state, I'd probably feel better in the sea, with the crashing waves rippling over me. But at this hour I'd probably get myself in trouble.It's nearly one in the morning.I was awake yesterday at this time too, but I was in the hot tub with Alessio, where we seemed to be two different people who'd lost themselves to lust.Now I'm by myself, faced with the sting of uncertainty. And the sting of Gytha's words, because Alessio didn't come home.Of course, I assumed he was with her, and I couldn't sleep. Then I made the mistake of going through my emails and found one that was sent yesterday morning from the lawyer in Russia who is dealing with the vineyard I inherited from my grandfather.I'd forgotten all about it since I had so many other things on my mind, and I'd already started the process o
The Devil She Knows 61
Camille"I don't think that's what brought you out here though, is it? Ehlga said she heard you screaming like you were having a nightmare. Another one.""I didn't know she was awake." Or that she could hear me. God, that's so embarrassing."She's up sometimes at this hour, baking.""Oh.""You're still having the same nightmares?"I nod. "They don't stop. I have the same one over and over again.""With the crest?""Yes." I bite the inside of my lip.His shoulders relax and he looks like he's considering something, but I don't know what. We haven't spoken about my nightmares or the crest in weeks. I thought he'd brushed it off, even if he believed me."I spoke to your father about the crest, and I looked into it."A rake of shivers climbs up my spine, and my jaw loosens. There's no way he would have spoken to my father or looked into anything if he didn't think it was important. Or suspect something."Did you find anything out?""No. And your father said he didn't know the Butyrskayas.
The Devil She Knows 62
AlessioAleksander Ivanov stands and looks at me.His dark gaze then wanders to all the men in the room who make up the Bratva leadership.We're at the headquarters building in the city. There are thirty of us seated around the large rectangular table in the center of the boardroom.I'm sitting on Aleksander's right with the senior Brigadiers. My brothers are opposite me in order of age with Leif next to them.This is the leadership meeting everyone has been waiting for, to hear my official decision. Apart from Leif, the only other two people in here who know my choices are Zakh and Aleksander.Tonight I also become the official Sovietnik. The tension in the air is the same—if not worse—than when I retook my oath at Raventhorn Hall.My choices will affect everyone here and I know they won't be happy when they find out I've demoted Uther.Aleksander already knows and is already fuming, and the others are like sharks trying to catch the scent of blood as they analyze me.From the moment
The Devil She Knows 63
Alessio"I believe you chose my family to take care of the Bratva because you believe we can handle things in the way they should be.""That's exactly why I chose the Scarfonis, but Uther has always been a part of that setup. You must understand my concerns." His voice echoes his displeasure. "To be honest, if things were like they were before I elected your father, I would have overruled this decision in a heartbeat.""Maybe you just need to trust me."He laughs without humor. "I'm going to need a hell of a lot more time to get to know you first before I can trust you. Last year our organization almost fell apart. Over a thousand years of a formidable legacy and it almost disintegrated on my watch. The Scarfonis were my plan to rebuild. The setup your father put togetheristhe Komarovski Bratva. That's why there was no question when it came to my decision to choose your family.""Then rest assured I've done the right thing and I've chosen the right people."He looks at me for a long m
The Devil She Knows 64
AlessioToday is my wedding day.The day is finally here and I feel different to how I thought I would.Leif and I are in the dressing room at Hammond Castle, the wedding venue. This place is more suited to me.Camille and I will be getting married in the ocean view private gardens.The wedding will take place in half an hour, and everyone, including her, is here and ready.Leif adjusts the purple sash on my shoulder, making sure it sits perfectly against my Knights tunic. The bearer of the Odin rune wears this sash when he's getting married.Leif was entrusted with mine after the Reaping. He's giving me that proud father smile again, and I slip into one of my moments where I appreciate all he's done for me.He's dressed in his tunic too, but as he's officiating the wedding, he's wearing a white cape with a metal laurel leaf securing it around his neck."Your mother would have certainly loved to be here today to see you get married." Leif's voice carries that sentiment again.The same
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