Page 39 of Dark Seduction
Maura reaches across the table, giving my hand a reassuring squeeze. "It was definitely a wild ride, but here we are. And honestly," she lowers her voice, drawing me into her confidence, "once an Ivanov man decides you’re the one, they’re fiercely loyal. Just give Lev some time to sort himself out."
She’s making me feel better by the second.
"Now it's your turn, Dalia. I'd love to hear a bit about you. What brought you into our little world?”
“God, where to begin?”
“Wherever you’d like.”
With that, I go into it, giving her the full lowdown on Chad and his secretary, how I walked in on them, how our marriage turned out to be a sham. Maura hangs on my every word, her green eyes flashing with surprise with each twist and turn.
When I’m done, she sits back and blinks.
"Dalia, that’s awful. No one deserves that kind of betrayal. What a sleaze."
"Yeah, it was a mess. But hey, I learned from it." I try to chuckle, but it’s hollow. Maura reaches out, squeezing my hand in a silent show of support.
Her fiery spirit flares as she demands, half-jokingly, "Let me see this guy. Was he even worth the drama?"
Laughing, I pull out my phone. "Prepare yourself—he had charm, at least at first glance."
I scroll through my phone, finding the picture of Chad I dreaded revisiting, and hand it over to Maura. Her reaction is instant; her eyes widen, and she lets out a sharp gasp.
"Oh, wow," she says, staring at the screen. "Oh my God.”
"What? What’s wrong?" I lean closer, a knot forming in my stomach.
Maura looks up at me, her eyes serious. "This guy, he’s the same one who got my cousin pregnant, then bailed on her."
My mouth falls open in shock. "You’re kidding?"
"Completely serious. Mary was heartbroken," Maura says, shaking her head and handing the phone back.
I take it, my thoughts swirling. "Maura, please don't tell anyone about this. It’s such a weird coincidence, and I really don’t want Lev to find out and do something drastic."
"Well, if Lev doesn’t find him first, my uncle Liam might. He’s been on the lookout for that scumbag ever since he disappeared."
I force a nervous laugh. "Let’s hope it doesn’t get to that. Chad has already made enough trouble."
"Absolutely," Maura agrees, taking another sip of her coffee. "Don’t worry, Dalia, your secret's safe with me. Let's just hope we don't run into him anytime soon." She glances behind her. “Can you excuse me for a moment? I need to use the little girls’ room.”
“Sure.”
Alone at my table, I'm left with my thoughts again. The world feels ridiculously small, and the connection between Maura and me is surreal. As I stir my tea, I realize I've been so caught up in the whirlwind of the Bratva life and my unexpected pregnancy that I haven't fully processed my anger toward Chad or the unhealed wounds he left behind.
I've never been one to back down from challenges, but figuring out my path with Lev and navigating this tangled web feels daunting. Yet as I sit here, a part of me yearns for him, to reignite our connection sooner rather than later. I want him, and I need that part of my life to settle, to become something real and tangible.
The buzz of my phone drags me back to reality. Still wrapped up in my own turbulent thoughts, I glance at the screen. It's a text from Lev. Despite the maelstrom of emotions he's caused, a partof me can't help but feel a flutter of anticipation.
The message is simple, direct.
Come over for dinner tonight? I'd like to talk.
I stare at the words for a moment, torn. I'm irked by his recent radio silence followed by this casual invitation as if nothing happened. Yet the desire to see him, to confront and perhaps resolve the tangled feelings I have, is too strong to dismiss.
Chapter 17
Dalia