Page 111 of Lord of Vice

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Page 111 of Lord of Vice

She did belong to me.

“Remind me to give you a raise, Konstantin.”

“About damn time.”

“Looks like I’m headed to Maryland via a stop in Virginia and DC.”

“For what?”

“A hunting expedition. Then I’m going to finish what I should have started weeks ago. I’m going to capture a wife.”

CHAPTER 31

Penny

“Lyubov’ do kontsa vremen. Nikto bol’she tebya ne tronet.”

I could still hear Kraven whispering the words in Russian and in English.Love until the end of time. No one else will touch you.They’d haunted me for the almost three weeks since I’d last seen the amazing man.

I knew I’d done the right thing by leaving but that didn’t mean my heart wasn’t aching. Or that I hadn’t fantasized about him night after night. Even with time and distance, the way I felt about him had only grown stronger.

Woof.

Laughing, I pulled my thoughts from the clouds, giving Remington a look. “I know, buddy. You’re hungry. I’ll get you some breakfast. Okay?”

He patted and bumped me with his head before heading into the kitchen and to his water bowl. I took my time following behind him, turning on the newly purchased television before grabbing his bowl and heading for the pantry to pull out his food. Was it going to get any easier being without the strapping Russian man?

Would I ever stop thinking about him?

Doubtful.

We’d stormed into each other’s lives and he would be difficult to shove into a neat box. Moving to the little town in Maryland where my mother had grown up gave me some space while feeling closer to her. Plus, it wasn’t that far from my dad, who’d finally regrouped and was thriving again. I almost felt like I had family.

With the winnings I’d been shocked at receiving before heading out of Las Vegas, I’d been able to rent a little cabin, purchase everything I needed including a nice used car, and have a little cash on the side. It had also bought me time to figure out what I wanted to do. However, the loneliness was killing me.

I poured some dog food, placing the bowl on the floor just as a news report caught my eye.

With the sound low, I couldn’t make out all the details, but I didn’t need to hear to know what had happened.

Jake and his father had been murdered in a drive-by at one of their favorite DC restaurants. I started to shake but not from fear, from a sense of relief. I’d gotten yet another phone, had taken my mother’s maiden name, and had laid low because I’d still been fearful of what Jake and his father might do.

I also knew who was behind their deaths. I was certain of it.

Oh, my God. He’d killed them for me. To protect me.

While my stomach churned, nausea forming, I wanted to laugh and scream. The bastard couldn’t hurt me. I laughed out loud, trying to keep myself together while also reminding the good girl inside of me that murder was never acceptable.

When I heard a knock on the door, I was forced to gasp. It was a tiny town. It could be a nice neighbor, and I’d met several. “I’ll be right back, baby. Don’t go anywhere.” I headed for the door, doing my best to fluff my hair since I still had bedhead. At least I’d brushed my teeth and slipped on pair of shorts and a tank top.

I wasn’t certain whether to be shocked or amused seeing the flower delivery guy struggling to hold onto the two or three dozen roses in his arms.

“Delivery for Ms. Valentine.”

My real name was used. Instantly, my hackles were raised.

I stiffened, taking gasping breaths. “Who are they from?” Maybe my dad? No, it wasn’t his style. A tiny trickle of terror tore through me but as soon as I reminded myself Jake was dead, I felt guilty.

“Can I set these down first?”




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