“You sure?”
I narrowed my eyes at him. “You’ve been questioning me a lot lately.”
He shook his head. “Sorry, boss. It just seems like an obvious trap.”
“The Russians don’t want a war. They wouldn’t lay a finger on me. No, this is about something else.”
Vince nodded. “Okay. I’ll set the time.”
He began to walk away. “Vince?” I called after him.
He looked at me. “Yeah, boss?”
“Cut the shit.”
He grinned. “Got it.”
I smiled back and he left.
I couldn’t afford to lose Vince’s loyalty. Of everyone in the mob, Vince was my closest advisor, my number two, my right-hand man. I trusted him almost as much as I trusted Louisa, and that was saying a lot.
I shook my head, heading over to my rooms. Things were getting more and more dangerous by the second. I couldn’t exactly afford to be distracted by Natalie, but the thought of her in that dress got me hard as fuck.
For some reason, I knew she was going to uphold her end of the bargain. From there, anything could happen.
Chapter Thirteen: Natalie
I hugged Pacey hard.
“Thanks so much for coming,” I said.
“Of course, Nat. I’ll be back soon.”
“Okay. You’re the best.”
She climbed into her car and drove off. I watched her wind her way down the long driveway, slip out past the gate, and merge into traffic. She disappeared over a hill.
I bit my lip as the weight of my reality came back to me. I was still very much stuck in the mob compound, and still planning on walking into my stepbrother’s room wearing the tightest, most revealing dress I had ever put on.
I kept asking myself what the hell I was thinking as I headed back toward my room. I didn’t even need to ask for directions and was able to find them all on my own. I went inside and hopped in the shower, cleaning myself off.
I checked the clock once I was showered. It was half past six, and I knew I needed at least an hour for my hair to dry. Lucas hadn’t specified when he needed me to come by his rooms, and so I got on the phone and ordered myself dinner.
One delicious chicken dinner later and I was squeezing myself into the dress. My hair was dry enough, so I put on some makeup and chose a pair of heels that went well with the dress.
Looking at myself in the full-length mirror, I felt incredibly nervous. I didn’t know why, since I was only going to walk in, spin once, and then leave. Still, the idea of him looking at me made me incredibly nervous, but also strangely excited. I could feel my hands shaking ever so slightly as I tugged at the hem of the incredibly short dress, trying not to think about the fact that his sister had worn the dress.
“Come on, Natalie,” I said to myself in the mirror. “One spin and you’re gone. Just do it already.”
I took a deep breath, walked out into the main room, opened my door, and stepped out into the hall.
And realized I had no clue where I was going.
Embarrassed, I scurried back inside. I grabbed the phone and called up the kitchen.
“Excuse me,” I said. “Do you know where Lucas’s rooms are?”
The person on the other end paused. “This isn’t a directory. It’s the kitchen.”
“I know,” I said. “I’m so sorry. I just figured you’d know this place. I’m so new.”
Another long pause. “Next time, ask whoever you’re looking for first, okay?”
“Okay.”
He proceeded to give me directions, which were surprisingly easy. Lucas was staying in my wing, only a hallway over.
I walked quickly out and headed in his direction, moving fast but nervously. Fortunately, I made it to his front door without running into anybody else.
I knocked once and waited.
No answer.
I knocked again, louder, and waited.
No answer again.
I was starting to get nervous.
On the third round of knocking, the door suddenly swung open.
“What?” he said, and then he stopped.
I stared at him, open-mouthed.
He was dripping wet and wrapped in only a towel. His tattoos snaked up his body and disappeared down into the area that his towel barely covered. His face broke out into a wicked grin.
“Well hello, wife,” he said. “Please come in.”
“You’re in a towel,” I said dumbly.
“Yes. I know.”
“I can come back later.”
“Come in.” He stepped aside, so I walked past him. He shut the door behind me. “Well?” he asked, staring at me.
I blushed deeply. “Can’t you put some clothes on first?”
“I didn’t ask you to come while I was in the shower.”
“I know, but—”
“But nothing,” he said, coming nearer to me. “Don’t you have a spin for me?”