Chapter 22 #2
This is who I could've been my whole life with the right upbringing and the right influence. It isn’t a part I'm playing—this suit, the makeup.
This really is me. The only act is the name I'm wearing, but deep down, I know if I had to walk into Luka Kolar's territory and tell him I want those women freed, I could do it as me.
I just needed Lev's vote of confidence to give me the mental boost needed.
It makes the idea of continuing this charade more manageable.
"Thank you," I say, and I turn to face them with a warm smile. "All of you. You've done exceptional work."
They beam at the praise as they gather their supplies and pack up to leave. I remain standing in front of the mirror, practicing my posture and my expression, making sure every element of Ana Veche is in place before Lev sees the finished product.
When the bedroom door opens behind me, I see his reflection appear in the mirror before I hear his voice.
"Jesus Christ," he breathes.
I turn slowly, giving him the full effect of the transformation. His eyes travel from my newly darkened hair to my dramatically made-up face to the suit that clings to my body in all the right places, and I watch his expression shift from surprise to appreciation to something much hungrier.
"Do I pass inspection?" I ask, and I make sure my voice carries the cool authority of a Donna rather than the uncertainty of a translator from St. Petersburg.
"Pass?" He stalks toward me with that predatory grace I've come to know so well, his eyes dark with appreciation. "Vivika, you look… fuck. You look absolutely incredible."
"Ana," I correct him, holding my ground as he approaches. "Today I'm Ana."
"Ana, then." He stops in front of me and reaches out to touch my face, his fingers trailing along my jawline with a possessiveness that makes heat pool low in my belly. "Ana, you are the most beautiful thing I've ever seen."
His hand slides lower, down my neck to my collarbone, heading toward the buttons of my silk blouse, and I catch his wrist before he can go any further. The movement makes his eyes widen, and I use his momentary confusion to step back and put space between us.
"You'll ruin my makeup," I say coolly, and I'm proud of how steady my voice sounds. I really am ready for this.
"I'll ruin more than that if you keep looking at me like that." He advances again, and this time when he reaches for me, I smack his hand away with a sharp crack of flesh against flesh.
His eyebrows shoot up. "Did you just—"
"I told you." I lift my chin and meet his gaze with the imperious stare I've been practicing for weeks.
"You'll ruin my makeup…" I let my cool expression harden into a glare so he gets the point, though I'm not angry with him.
"These women spent hours making me look like this, and I won't have you destroying their work before I even leave this house. "
For a moment I think I've pushed too far, that the real Lev is going to override the game we're playing and take what he wants regardless of my protests. But then a slow smile spreads across his face, and I see pride flickering behind the heat in his dark eyes.
"There she is," he murmurs. "You are exquisite."
He moves so fast I barely register it, one hand fisting in my newly styled hair while the other grips my hip and pulls me flush against his body. His mouth crashes into mine in a kiss that's hard and demanding and absolutely devastating, and I'm gasping when he finally pulls back.
"When you're this feisty," he growls against my lips, "it's impossible for me to keep my hands off you."
I chuckle, knowing if he messes up my makeup, there'll be no way I can fix it on my own, so with a palm splayed on his chest, I push gently.
"If you want a Mafia Donna," I murmur against his lips, pulling back just far enough to meet his eyes with a challenge in my own, "you're going to have to work for it. "
His answering grin is wolfish and warm and full of promises I fully intend to make him keep. "I've never been afraid of hard work."
"Good." I smooth my hands down his chest and then push him back, creating space between us again. "Because I have a meeting to attend. And I expect to be treated with the respect my position demands."
Lev laughs a delicious, warm sound and takes a step back with his hands raised in mock surrender.
"As you wish, Donna Veche. I live to serve.
" The way he says it stirs longing in my chest. It's impossible and stupid and I shouldn't think that way, but I believe I'm lost now, helplessly in love with a man who stole me from the street and not wanting to change a thing.
I turn back to the mirror and check my reflection one final time, making sure his kiss hasn't smeared my lipstick or mussed my hair. A few minor adjustments and I'm perfect again, polished and powerful and ready to face this meeting with Ana's ally.
Luka Kolar has absolutely no idea what's about to walk into his meeting.
And neither, I think, does the woman I used to be.