Tempted by Deception (Deception Trilogy, #2)

by Rina Kent

“You called me a disaster, but this is the true disaster, Lia. You and me.”

“You asked when I’d be done. The answer is never. I’ll never be done with you, Lenochka.”

“Too late.” He stares at me with those unnerving eyes. “I already claimed you as mine and there’s no going back.”

“Point is, this phase will end. Like everything about life.” “I’ll think about that when it comes to it.” “Is that what you did to the others? You thought about their fate when the time came.” “The others?” “The ones who came before me.” “I’ve never done this with anyone before you, Lenochka.”

“What does that mean?” “What does what mean?” “Lenochka?” “Bright light.”

“But you think I’m lonely.” “That doesn’t make you gloomy. A rose shines brighter alone than when it’s in a field.”

“Just so you know, the prettiest roses have the deadliest thorns.”

“Here’s a fact for you, Lia. Deadly thorns thrill me.” I swallow. “But they injure you.” “It’s worth it.”

“It’s Adrian. He’ll know.” “He won’t.” “How can you be so sure?” “He’s blinded by you.” My lips part. “Blinded by me? You must be kidding.” “I’m not. For the first time in his life, the meticulous Adrian Volkov is letting a woman close. If that’s not a weakness, I don’t know what is.”

She might not have a single clue about what’s happening, but her life and mine are intertwined closer than she’ll ever know.

Adrian has always been a force to be reckoned with, a beautiful master of manipulation. It’s like he was born with a handsome face to help him lower people’s guards before he attacks. I’m currently one of those people. Because I have no doubt that he’s coming after me and that I’m completely trapped with no way out.

“Say, it’s only you, Adrian.” “It’s…only…you…Adrian…” “I’m the only one who gets to touch you, aren’t I, Lenochka?” “Yes…” “The only one you completely let go with?” “Yes.” “The only one who punishes you?” “Yes…” I briefly close my eyes, horrified with how true my words are. How…liberating.

His gray eyes darken with raw possessiveness as he presses down on my cheeks. “These tears are only mine, aren’t they, Lenochka?” “Yes…” “And they always will be.”

I hold on to his forearm as I regain my footing and study his chest and side, making sure that it was indeed a nightmare. “Take it easy, Lenochka. We don’t want you to hurt those talented legs.” His voice holds mild amusement.

Adrian has physical perfection that’s so different from what I’ve witnessed before. I’m used to seeing models and dancers who don’t shy away from removing their clothes and changing in semi-public places. But that type of beauty is pretty—aesthetic, even. Adrian’s rugged, harsh, and comes with an edge that’s complemented by his calm yet ruthless personality.

Will this pull between us ever end? Will there ever be a day where I’ll be in Adrian’s vicinity and not wish to be closer?

“You know, for someone who claims not to be a stalker, you have obvious stalkerish behavior, Adrian.” “A stalker would never openly admit to watching you sleep. If anything, they’d keep it a secret for as long as possible.” I narrow my eyes on him. “You’re still a stalker.” “If you say so.” “You really don’t care, do you?” “No, and neither should you, Lenochka. The world means nothing if you decide it doesn’t.”

This morning, he feels closer somehow. It could be because he didn’t leave before I woke up or because he told me about himself as normal couples do. Wait. We’re not a couple. Right?

right…

“I’ll never forgive you for putting me in this position.” “You are mine. Get used to it.”

I turn around and step out of the apartment before I lose the cool that I’m barely holding on to. Before I confiscate her from the world and keep her for myself.

Lia isn’t the other woman. She’s the woman.

I was living my dream and getting rid of my excess energy through flying where no one could catch me. Now, my wings are broken. Now, the dream is over.

My gaze flits to my cast leg supported in the air. My useless broken leg that ended everything. I never got to show the world my Giselle. She was killed before she was even born. And with her death, all of my dreams and my coping mechanisms perished.

“You can find other things to live for.” I scoff. “No, I can’t.” “You can. Circumstances shape you, but they don’t dictate your fate.” His voice lowers with a soothing undertone. “You do.”

“It’s over.” “Not if you have a say in it. Whether it’s ballet or anything else, you can always rewrite your own story.” He reaches a hand out, the corners of his eyes softening for the first time since I’ve met him. “I’ll help you.”

Adrian wraps a hand around the back of my head, caressing my hair. “It might feel like you can’t take it, like it would be better to die, but that’s not true. It’ll heal, maybe not right away or in the near future, and it might not heal completely, but the wound will close and you will look back on this day as the moment you changed.”

“Scars mean you are alive and strong enough to survive.” He kisses the top of my head. “I’ll worship each of your scars until you’re able to face them, Lenochka.”

I don’t know if it’s because of my desperation or the rare tenderness on his face, but in this moment, I believe Adrian. I believe that this man, this killer, is my only hope to repair my life. Or what remains of it.

Since I took Adrian’s hand and cried into his chest, something between us changed. The bridge I thought was ruined has been slowly building since that day. It might have something to do with his attentiveness or silent support, but he’s become a pillar in my life. He distracts me from my head and every vile emotion that comes with it.

I cried enough for a lifetime the day Adrian saved me from my own mind and hugged me. He held me like he wanted to protect me, like protecting me is his mission in life.

But during these past couple of weeks, his touch has never gone in that direction. He’s only held me, made sure I ate, and helped me shower and change clothes. He sat with me underneath my wool blanket as I watched a mindless movie and then maneuvered my head on his lap so that I was more comfortable. His fingers stroked my hair back in a way that made me nearly purr like a kitten. I’ve been feeding off that care like a starved animal who’s never had affection.

Not a day has passed where he hasn’t looked breathtakingly beautiful in a rugged sort of way. Dangerous, too. But I guess some part of me yearns for that danger, or I wouldn’t have fallen for him so easily.

Adrian observes me for a second, and it’s intrusive, as if he’s peeling away the exterior and trying to peer at what’s inside. I don’t think I’ll ever get used to being the subject of his interest.

It always feels odd, yet strangely endearing, for a cold man like him to care about me. He’s cold to the world, but not to me.

“I hate seafood.” “Really?” “I can’t stand it. I feel like I’m eating the sea’s cockroaches.” That makes a small smile crack on his beautiful face. I love it when I’m the reason behind his smile. Could be because they’re as rare as hell or that he looks lethally attractive.

“Let’s get you to the doctor.” “Why?” “I think you’re pregnant.”

“What are you doing, Adrian?” “We’re getting married.”

“I won’t marry you! That’s for devoted couples, not for…for…us!” “You’re pregnant with my child. There doesn’t need to be any other reason.”

“You’re a monster,” I breathe out. “And you’re marrying this monster.”

“Do you, Adrian Volkov, take Lia Morelli as your wedded wife, to be with you always, in wealth and in poverty, in disease and in health, in happiness and in grief, from this day until death do you part?” “I do,” Adrian says with so much conviction,

“You may kiss the bride.” Adrian pulls me against his chest as he grabs me by my nape. “You’re mine now, Mrs. Volkov.”

I’ve sold my soul to the devil. Worse, I actually married him. But while Adrian considers this a win, for me, it’s only the beginning. He forced me to be his wife? Fine. But it’s by his wife’s hands that his life will end.

I’ve already lost everything. Now, all I can do is win.

I may not be able to fully grasp the extent of my obsession with her, but the need to protect her and own every inch of her is a raging, insatiable beast.

Lia is still that delicate flower. However, there’s always been a simmering strength behind her apparent fragility. An inner energy humming under the surface, waiting for a chance to burst free.

She’s my bride. My wife. Fucking mine.

“You are my wife, Mrs. Volkov, and I will whip and fuck that fact into your body until you act like it.”

This baby is the one thing that’s making me hold on to life, surviving day to day, knowing that I’m not living for myself alone anymore.

“And did you hear a word I said about security?” “I did. Don’t care. I need to get out, Adrian. You already clipped my wings. The least you can do is give me something to look forward to.”

I place a hand on his chest, my palm expanding on the hard ridges underneath. This is the first time I’ve initiated an affectionate touch first. A low growl slips from his lips and his muscles ripple beneath my small hand, then he looks at me as if he wants to devour me. I bask in the sensation of having this much effect on him. It might only be physical, but it’s still empowering all the same.