Page 145 of Wicked Villain

As I watch pleasure fill every inch of her beautiful face, truth hits me. It becomes clearer to me than ever before.

I’m not just fucking obsessed.

I’m addicted.

This woman has become the one thing I can’t afford to lose.

That means I’ll never let her go.

I’ll keep her forever. Own her. Claim her again and again until my last breath and beyond.

Chapter

Thirty-Five

Allegra

The library has been my little place of refuge today. The comforting scent of old and new books Zoya must have bought recently wraps around me as I shuffle in my chair.

I rest my elbows on the table and flip through the pages of the watercolor book I’m reading. It’s a beginner’s guide. I’m finally taking the plunge to paint.

After the absolutely amazing museum trip and seeing the Mara Vezcovy exhibition, my mind is still thrumming with so much excitement. I didn’t know I could feel like this.

I could hardly sleep last night. Aside from getting lost in my husband, I was still riding the high from visiting the museum.

Then… I don’t know how Lev managed to do this so quickly, but when I went downstairs this morning, everything I needed to start painting was waiting for me.

A black wooden easel—just like the one I told him I wanted—sketchpads, canvases of all different sizes, and enough pots of watercolor paint to last a lifetime.

To say he blew my mind is an understatement.

He had to leave before I woke, but I love that he planned to surprise me in such a way I’ll never forget.

Zoya helped me set everything up. Lev wanted me to pick a room for my studio, so I chose the small room near the garden. That way, I can see the surrounding landscape.

I came to the library to add some knowledge to my toolkit and spent the entire day making notes. No point having all that equipment and not knowing how to use it. I want to paint landscapes.

I was thinking I could do a couple of postcards for the charity shop, but I’d start with a few small pieces I’d keep for myself.

This feels good.

Lev doesn’t know it, but he’s giving me back pieces of Allegra.

It feels like healing.

Another new thing for me. I seem to be doing a lot of new things for a person who’s supposed to be getting ready to leave.

The thought grips me, and my hand stills on the page.

I’m still waiting for Mama, and she’s still waiting for word from Uncle Maurice. The problem with waiting is everything is so much harder.

Because of Lev.

I still know I have to leave. That saddens me more than anything.

Our marriage is still part of his revenge against Papa. That hasn’t changed, and I don’t know what will happen when he finally gets what he wants.

Leaving is my only chance to get my life back, and give Mama a life away from Papa.