48

SASHA Three days later, I have a fading bruise due to Damien’s punch, and the tension in the house has gone up a notch. Yulia always looks at Kirill like she wants to strangle him—which isn’t a surprise, considering he did kidnap her. Konstantin has been sneaky and going out for multiple meetings. Yuri told me that just because he lost his father’s power doesn’t mean he’s out of the game. He still has his mother’s influence to fall back on, and he’ll use it to its full capacity. Karina has been coming out of her room to watch me or her brother like a creep before she runs back to her self-confinement and slams the door. Me? I’ve been actively trying to avoid Kirill as if my life depends on it. It takes every ounce of professional willpower I have to look him in the eye and not think about the feeling of his body beneath mine. His fingers on my lips. His hand gripping my hip. His erection beneath my ass. His breath, his smell, his warmth. Everything. It’s impossible to forget. I didn’t