Page 21 of Caged

Lara pushes past me with her arms full of three duffel bags. Her long blond hair is pulled back in a tight braid, so I know she wasn’t close to bed.

I’m relieved to see she’s alone. I was worried she’d bring Elena. Worse would have been Alexei or Mikhail.

I need to see what Melissa knows first. Then, I’ll bring in my brother.

“Where is she?” Lara drops the bags on the floor by the couch. She points at the trauma kit. “Is she going to live, or do we need to get the doc involved?”

Shaking my head, my answer is interrupted by Melissa’s slow approach from the hall.

The towel that was higher a few moments ago is settled low on her waist, and her shirt is now dry and covers her discreetly.

Was the wet look earlier for my benefit?

I’m not complaining.

“Hi.” Melissa takes a shy step forward, her wide eyes dart back and forth between me and Lara.

My sister walks up to her, arms open. “Hello! Nikolai told me you had a hard time today? I brought you some clothes.” Lara pulls her close into a hug while Melissa’s panicked gaze finds me over her shoulder.

“I’m Lara. I think they should fit. I brought you some supplies too, just in case.” Lara backs off a step, holding Melissa by the arms and gives her a soft smile.

“Thank you.” Melissa looks uncomfortable and pulls away to curl up on the end of the couch. She keeps looking first at me, then at Lara.

I think my sister picks up on it, and turns back to me. She gives me a tiny shake of her head with a frown before putting the happy look back up.

Hmm. Lara senses something, but what?

“Well, I should be going. You’re safe here with Nikolai.” Lara leaves just as quickly as she arrived, but gives me one more hard stare as she walks out the door.

What the hell did she see?

NINE

MILA

Who the hell was that? Nikolai brings in some random woman in the middle of the night who drops off stuff for me? Without knowing me?

Why?

And, what is she to him?

This definitely complicates things.

“She seems nice?” I tuck my legs under me on the cushion and slowly start pulling out some of the clothes.

Well, at least they look like they’ll fit. She’s a little taller than me, but the leggings are stretchy.

Nikolai grunts.

I’m starting to wonder if he knows any other words.

His blue eyes follow me as I go back to the bathroom.

Staring at myself in the mirror, I begin to question my plans.

I thought it’d be easy to seduce him. I mean, look at me.

Shedding the torn T-shirt, I lift my breasts and check them in the reflection. Who wouldn’t be interested in these?