Page 41 of Arranged Devotion
“You guys were in the same class?”
“Same private school, same year, but not always the same classes. Vera was popular and everyone liked her, but we were in different social circles.”
“You and Kieren go back a while.”
“Yeah, we do.” I still remember Kieren in high school with his cute, shaggy hair and his goofy smirks, the way he wore his uniform off-kilter and got away with it because he was so damn charming. Everyone loved him, from the students to the teachers, and he was mine, always mine. I don’t know what happened over the years, but the Kieren I fell for when I was a teenager changed into someone else, or maybe we both did, and these new versions of ourselves grew up, turned jaded, and weren’t compatible anymore. I thought he was my forever, my perfection, but now?—
Just another asshole.
“The Baranovs have been a problem lately,” Liam muses, more to himself than to me as we linger in front of another painting. I hardly notice it. I’m busy studying my future husband’s face, the sharp line of his jaw, the stubble on his cheeks. I fight back a sudden spike of adrenaline as I remember what it feels like to kiss him.
“I bet they are,” I mumble and force myself to turn away, down a side hallway. Only to catch a glimpse of Luke pushing open an emergency exit and disappearing into an alley. What the heck is he up to?
“If your ex did what I think he did, they might get even worse. Have you noticed anything lately? Your father said anything about the Baranovs? Has he been acting more stressed than usual?”
“More stressed?” I turn back to him, but my mind’s still on Luke. “I don’t know. He’s always bad. He mentioned something aboutRussians on the phone earlier, but…” I trail off and slip my hand from his arm. “Would you excuse me?”
“Where are you going?”
“I need to freshen up.”
“You’re perfectly fresh from my perspective.”
“I need to pee, Liam. It’s impolite to make a lady spell it out.”
“And it’s impolite not to invite your future husband.”
“Into the bathroom with me?! We’re not going to have that kind of relationship.”
“But we could if you wanted!”
I walk off, shaking my head. I swear to fuck he can’t be serious about anything at all.
But Liam’s not my problem right now. Why is Luke disappearing out a side door at this stupid charity art gala? He should be with Dad shaking hands and doing business stuff. Networking and all that. Isn’t that why he’s here tonight?
It feels wrong, him slipping out like that. I always worry, probably too much, but it won’t hurt to make sure he’s not doing something stupid.
I pause at the exit and look over my shoulder before pushing through.
The door spills me into an alleyway. I take a moment to get my bearing. There’s a dumpster to my left, overflowing with garbage bags. It stinks like rotting meat. I cover my face with my hand and look left, further down, as voices drift toward me.
Several men are gathered in a loose circle at the far end of the alley. I lean against the dumpster, ignoring the stench. Luke’s with them, smoking a cigarette and gesturing with both hands. I don’t recognize the other two, but they’re both in suits, and neither looks like he’s good news. Luke takes out his phone, types on it, turns the screen and shows them something. The bigger of the two men frowns and nods, his face pinched and vibrating as he says something, and I’m about to get closer so I can maybe hear what’s going on when a hand grabs me from behind.
Another hand presses hard over my mouth. I gasp, twitch and try to pull away. Liam’s voice against my ear. “Relax, love, it’s me. I’m going to let you go, but don’t make a big fuss or they’ll hear.”
I crane my neck and meet his gaze. I dip my chin.
His hand moves away.
I stomp on his feet.
“Jesus fuck,” he hisses, backing away toward the door. “You’re a fucking monster.”
“Don’t scare me like that.” We’re whispering furtively and my heart’s acting like it desperately wants to escape my ribs.
“I wanted to make sure you didn’t interrupt your brother’s meeting.”
“Who are those guys?”
