Page 194 of The Devil We Crave
Galina laughs, then sighs. “Okay, since it’s clear we’renotgoing to get the full story out of you, can we at least establish some basics?”
I frown. “Like?”
“Like, did he hurt you?” Arianna frowns. “I mean, yes, you’re hurting. But?—”
“No,” I quickly shake my head. “No, he didn’t hurt me.”
Her brows knit. “How do I say this…Lena, you’ve had a lot of bruising the last couple of months…” She’s looking at me with concern, but then Wren starts to crack up.
“Wait for it.” Wren grins lecherously at me. “Lena,hon, would you like to explain to the class how when a boy and a girl like each other very much, they might want to express those feelings by the girl getting spanked and choked?—”
“Oh myGod,” Lucia howls, cracking up. Galina goes red.
“Could we talk about literally anything else?” I grumble.
Wren's eyebrows shoot up. “What else could wepossiblyhave to talk about right now that’s more important than whatever is happening with you?”
Movement draws my attention, and I glance past Wren to where Laz, in averyshort bathing suit that fits him entirely too well, is climbing out of the ocean and shoving water out of his face as he rakes his hair back. Still dripping, and presumably fuckingfreezingcold, he hikes up the rocky beach toward where we're all sitting on his back patio.
Galina waves. “Hi, Laz.”
Wren turns a little pink and whirls before whipping her face back to us.
“Ladies,” Laz grunts as he comes to a stop on the patio.
I cock a brow at him. “Aren’t you freezing?”
He shrugs, grinning at me. “Russian blood. Besides, cold plunges are good for the heart.” His rolls his neck. “You guys need anything?”
“Nope,” Wren says quickly, not looking at him. “All set here.”
He lifts his massive shoulders. “Well, help yourself to whatever inside. I’ll be in my office.” He frowns and nods his chin at me. “But if your boyfriend is coming over, no fucking hanky-panky in?—”
“Oh no.” Galina clears her throat. “Hewill notbe coming over.”
I glare at her. As angry as I am, the last thing I need is Laz—or, God forbid,Dad—finding out that we’re fighting or broken up or I don’t even know right now and going full medieval on Achilles.
Laz frowns. “Why wouldn’t he be coming over?” He turns to level a stern look at me. “Lena, did that motherfucker?—”
“He’s just at practice,” I say quickly, forcing a smile. “That’s why.”
Laz looks doubtful, but mercifully he lets it slide.
“Well, holler if you need anything.”
After he steps into the house and closes the sliding glass door behind him, a huge, shit-eating grin spreads across Galina’s face as she turns to Wren.
“Well,” she giggles. “We could certainly talk aboutthatinstead.”
Wren looks innocent. “Talk about what?”
“Dude,” Lucia snickers. “Really?”
Wren’s face heats. “Reallywhat?”
Galina rolls her eyes. “The fact that you’re living here alone with all ofthat,” she snickers. “That’s what.”
Wren wrinkles her nose. “You guys need help. He’s my ex-boyfriend’sdad.”
