Reign (The Syndicate_ Crime and Passion Book 2)(44)

“You barely looked at me when I came in,” he said.

I shrugged as best I could in his arms, going for nonchalance if sternness wasn’t going to work. “So what?”

He pulled me closer still. “Daniela, I felt it the instant I walked in. You’re aware of me just like I am of you. That feeling wasn’t any different today, but trying to ignore me was. You didn’t let your eyes rest on me for more than a second.”

This close to him, being in his arms was intoxicating, but I couldn’t give credence to what he was saying. Couldn’t accept it.

“You’re just being cocky,” I said.

“No. And you’re trying to change the subject. It won’t work. I see you,” he said, mirroring my thoughts from just moments ago.

Then he leaned forward, softly kissed the space between my brows, the one I hadn’t even realized was bunched tight. He kissed again, smoothing his lips along the ridge until my face relaxed.

“I see that, the little frown you haven’t quite managed to control yet.”

He moved lower, teased at the corner of my lips with his.

“There’s a little downturn there, not a frown, but not neutral either. A little weight in your expression.”

He continued to kiss at the corner of my lips, not deepening it but simply playing with the skin. He moved lower, brushed his lips against my neck, smoothed along my shoulder.

“And this, the way you hold yourself tight, like you’re worried about falling apart,” he said, hitting on the very thought that had only just crossed my mind.

He went quiet then and again he stroked his lips on my shoulder. He lingered there for a moment, his lips warm, soft against my skin, breaking down what little of my resolve remained after he had spoken those words.

Then he broke away abruptly, locked eyes with mine again.

“So what’s bothering you?” he asked.

I looked at his eyes, saw that there would be no dodging him.

“I heard about Davey,” I whispered.

He didn’t respond verbally and his body gave no indication that the statement I made was of any significance, but somehow I knew. “What did you hear?”

“I heard he will never be going home again,” I said, knowing that things couldn’t have ended up any other way, but still sad for his loss, what it might mean to Rita.

That got a slight reaction out of him, a scowl that he managed to cover quickly.

“And where did you hear this?” he said.

“People talk,” I said.

“They shouldn’t,” he replied.

There was a wealth of malice in those two simple words, and I felt a moment’s trepidation. I shouldn’t have said anything. But, I still had a role to play, a job to do.

“They probably shouldn’t, but they do, and they’re usually right. If they say Davey won’t be going home, he won’t be,” I said.

I’d decided I would continue on. There was no doubt Sergei knew what I knew.

“And you think I played a part?” he asked.

I said nothing, but my chest tugged at the dark look that crossed his face, though I couldn’t say what the feeling meant.

“And that disgusts you?” he said.

“Should I be honest?” I asked.

His stare intensified. “Always. I expect no less.”

“Even if it’s something you don’t want to hear?” I pressed.

His eyes flashed anger. “Daniela, I’m not your father or the idiots who were content to work for him. If you have something to say, say it. If not, don’t waste my time.”

“I know you’re not. It’s just…”

I trailed off then looked away, though I could still see him from the corner of my eye. I exhaled, met his eyes again.

“I’m not disgusted,” I said, knowing that I probably should be. Knowing even more that I wasn’t.

Something like relief flashed through his eyes, though he quickly covered it. “So what’s on your mind?” he said.

So much that I didn’t know where to begin. He firmed his lips and I began speaking hurriedly. “Davey wasn’t so good with finances,” I said.

He snorted out a laugh, one that lacked the humor I had come to associate with him. “So?” he said.

“He had a wife. Responsibilities. If it’s true that he’s not going to be back,” I said, “then someone should make sure she’s looked after.”

“And what does that mean, Daniela? ‘Looked after’?” he said, practically spitting the words at me, trying to drive me off the topic with the fire in his eyes.

But I stood firm. It was the right thing to do, if there was such a thing in this fucked-up universe I called mine. “It’s the way these things are done. His family shouldn’t suffer for Davey’s mistakes,” I said.