Chapter 089
The next night, Illyra paused as she got ready for the New Year’s Eve ball. She looked wanly out the tall curved window of their bedroom.
The wintry Gulf of Finland on the Baltic Sea looked nothing like Hawaii’s warm turquoise waters. It was even worse than Alaska’s frigid sea. Even in the weak, short hours of daylight, the Russian waves were choppy and gray. But the sun had set long ago, and the world was dark. The black, icy water here could suck the life out of you within seconds if you were dumb enough to fall into it.
Kind of like falling in love with a man who would neither love you back nor set you free.
Illyra closed her eyes. Yesterday, the workaholic tyrant had been neither workaholic nor a tyrant, playing hooky from work to entertain her. Letting people keep their jobs in his merger. Tipping that saleswoman at the boutique. Getting rid of the men who’d threatened Illyra and her little sister. And more.
I’ve never forgotten you, Aurora. She would never forget the stark vulnerability in his blue eyes. Or stopped wanting you.
Illyra trembled with emotion, remembering. Thank heaven she’d been able to cover her reaction by gulping that nasty-tasting vodka. She should probably be grateful for Aldric, too. His words had brought her back to reality with a snap.
Bleakly, she opened her eyes. She was alone in their bedroom, with one leg propped up on the bed, pulling on sheer black stockings as she got ready for the New Year’s Eve ball. Her beautiful haute-couture princess gown was on the bed, waiting to go over her new black lace bra, panties and garter belt. Andrei had bought out every expensive store in the city. “I am trying to make you happy,” he’d said. But she couldn’t be bought that way. Only two things could make her happy, and they were the very things he would not or could not give her. Freedom. Love.
I am selfish to the bone. I will never put someone else’s interests ahead of my own.
She couldn’t let herself fall for him. She’d loved him once, and it had nearly killed her. She’d lost everything.
Never again. Unless they were equals, loving him was only a different kind of bondage. Especially since, in the eyes of the world, Illyra was nothing more than his whore.
Hadn’t meeting with her ex-boss proved that?
“Well, well, what a pleasant surprise,” Aldric had drawled, stepping into her path in the hallway last night. “If it isn’t the poker-playing maid herself.”
She’d been shocked to see her former boss’s beady eyes and sweaty face. Instead of a tropical shirt, he was dressed in the required jacket and tie, probably borrowed from the restaurant, since they didn’t fit his lumpy body.
“Mr. Aldric,” she’d stammered. “What are you doing in St. Petersburg?”
He came closer, crowding her space in the darkened hallway. “I’m here to collect a big debt. Thought I’d celebrate at the best restaurant in town.”
“You left the resort?”
His expression darkened. “I got fired. The hotel’s owner found out I took a bribe.” He tilted his head, his eyes sly. “Didn’t you ever wonder why I hired you and that sister of yours?”
Illyra sucked in her breath as all her old worries came back. “Someone bribed you to hire us? Who?”
Leaning forward, he wheezed, “Even he didn’t think I’d be as successful as I was. In a few days, I’ll be paid, and given a huge bonus. I’ll be rich enough to pay you directly, for services rendered. I want to be on your waiting list. Name your price.” He’d stroked her upper arm, and she’d caught the scent of whiskey, heavy and sour, on his breath before he saw Andrei and turned away. “Come to me when Andrei Andreevich is done with you.”
Illyra's face burned as she remembered the humiliation of that moment. She’d been completely unprepared for it. And even more unprepared for the suspicion that had slithered into her soul ever since.
Who would have paid Aldric to hire the Bennet sister's at the Honolulu resort?
All night Illyra had stared up at the bedroom ceiling in the dark gray light, going through countless scenarios in her mind. It could have been one of her father’s old enemies. Or...it could have been Andrei himself. To make her his prisoner forever, to enjoy at his will.
I’ve never forgotten you, Illyra. Or stopped wanting you.
She sighed. But that didn’t make sense, either. He’d been surprised to see her. She’d seen it in his face, in his body. He’d had no idea she was in Hawaii.
So who?
Andrei had been an extraordinarily tender lover last night, but even as he’d made her body shake and gasp with pleasure, her soul had been haunted by the question. Finally, at breakfast that morning, before he’d left for work, he’d stated, “I’m sorry you were insulted last night. It will never happen again.”
“Thank you,” she’d murmured, though they both knew it was a lie. There was no way he could prevent that. If she wasn’t insulted to her face, she’d still be able to see it in people’s eyes.
She was his possession. Nothing more, nothing less.
Now, staring out at the dark, wintry night, Illyra felt an ache in her throat. She finished pulling on her stockings, attaching them to her garter belt. If only she had someone to talk to about this. If only she could talk to Lyra ...
Andrei’s voice was husky behind her. “Are you ready?”
With an intake of breath, Illyra turned to face him. He stood in the doorway, half in silhouette. He looked broad-shouldered and impossibly handsome in a dark, exquisitely cut tuxedo. She tried not to notice. “Have you found Lyra ?”
“Lyra ?” he repeated absently. He came toward her, his blue eyes gleaming as they traced slowly down her nearly naked body in the black lace. “Forget the ball. Let’s stay home for New Year’s Eve.”
She felt his gaze against her skin the same as if he’d stroked her with his fingers. Her breath caught in her throat, and she trembled with desire and something more—something that went straight to her heart. She wrapped her arms around herself. “My sister. Have you found her yet?”
He blinked, then his eyes lifted to hers. “Not yet. My investigator did trace her back to Hawaii.”
“Hawaii!” Something was wrong. Illyra could feel it. “Why would she go back?”