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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
The Devil She Knows 65
Camille"I now pronounce you man and wife," Leif announces with a proud smile. And just like that I become Camille Scarfoni. "You may now kiss the bride."Alessio leans in and kisses me.The kiss, as soon as it touches my lips, feels different in all the right ways. It holds the passion we've shared mixed with lust and a promise for later.It's a real kiss. Something I know my father wasn't expecting.Can he tell it's real?I know Lorelai can.I'm all sorts of nervous, but this kiss takes me out of reality.I wondered how I would feel today getting married to Alessio. Not Richard.What I feel is that thrill. Like I'm flying close to the sun again, but I don't want to turn back. I haven't even thought about being bound to the Knights. Even though Alessio is in his tunic, I feel like I'm truly married to him, and this is the first time my heart hasn't been conflicted.We pull apart and our few guests clap. Dad doesn't. He keeps his hands at his sides and his face stern.Ehlga is the fir
The Devil She Knows 66
CamilleI feel like a new woman as I walk through the revolving glass doors of Mira's private practice. There's a lightness about me I'm sure people can see, and I feel more confident.Alessio and I returned from our honeymoon last night. We had the most amazing time. He sailed me around the Caribbean, stopping at every island, where we frolicked in the sea and sun by day, then made love under the stars at night.I didn't want to leave and return to the real world.When we did, it was nice to get a message from Mira letting me know she was back from Russia.Since I'm not back on campus until next week, I thought it would be great to catch up with her today.As I walk into the elevator, I catch sight of my very tanned skin. A dead giveaway of the fun I had in the Caribbean with Alessio.I hope I don't look like I had too much fun.The last time I saw Mira, I was left worrying about what she thought of me. Now that Alessio and I are married, I'm still worried. Mira is someone I want to
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