Page 60 of Wicked Villain

“It would start a war.”

“I can handle a war.” The confidence in his tone makes my nerves spike.

“It’s okay. I’m fine.”

His jaw tightens. “At least I come in handy. I think you might just like being with me after all.”

Of course, he’s back to being his old self. “Don’t kid yourself.”

“I’m not.” He raises our joined hands, and my eyes widen.

I didn’t realize I was still holding his hand. I didn’t even notice as I got in the car.

I’m squeezing his hand so tightly my knuckles have turned bone-white. I try to pull my hand away, but he tightens his grip.

“Ceasefire,” he suggests with a wink.

I stare at him for a moment and feel myself loosen. I nod and allow him to hold my hand.

It means nothing.

Although… it does. Everything he did tonight with Danillo meant something to me.

I’ve never had anyone stand up for me before. No one.

Danillo treated me badly for years, and everyone allowed it. Not even Mama tried to help. They all stood by and let him hurt me.

I think that ended tonight.

They say it’s better to trust the devil you know. But in my case, it’s the devil I don’t know.

Chapter

Thirteen

Allegra

The next day, I’m still shaken up, but I try not to show it. I try to forget the whole ordeal.

It’s hard to ignore, though. The bruises on my neck and wrist are a good enough reminder.

Lev and I have breakfast together. We don’t say much, but he keeps looking at the marks on my neck and frowning. I went to bed again before him last night, so I only saw him when I came down to eat.

He hangs around for a while and leaves the house at midday. For work.

I have a feeling he would have left earlier but stuck around longer to check on me. It’s just a feeling. I can’t be sure.

Papa never works on the weekend. I thought wealthy people didn’t have to, but Lev proved me wrong. I guess that’s how you keep the type of wealth he has.

Or… maybe he’s not at work.

Or a different type of work. The sort that would require his Pakhan duties.

It doesn’t matter. I have myself to worry about.

I’m more affected than I realized. Throughout the day, my hands tremble whenever I think about what happened. The encounter with Danillo last night was particularly bad. The worst yet.

The last time anyone hurt me that badly was during my captivity. A time I don’t wish to remember.