40. Vladimir
Vladimir
My wife is hiding something.
It’s subtle, but I know her well enough to see it. The way she presses her tongue against the inside of her cheek when she’s thinking too hard. The way she avoids my eyes just enough to make it seem natural—but not quite.
First red flag? They dismissed her driver and security when they went out shopping.
I had to pick her, Amani, and Raven up yesterday from their ridiculous shopping spree because, for some insane reason, they thought it would be a good idea to go bar hopping afterward.
They smelled like a distillery, giggling like schoolgirls the entire ride home. Worse, they kept glancing at me, whispering to each other, and then laughing harder like I was the punchline to some inside joke.
I knew then something was up.
Then, once Raven and Amani passed out in the car, Luna leaned in, her lips brushing my ear, her breath warm against my skin as she whispered every filthy thing she planned to do to me when we got home.
She was a liar.
Not even five minutes later, I glanced over—and my beautiful, tempting, sinful wife was snoring just like her friends.
I had to call Konstantin and Dimitri to help carry the mountains of bags they left in the trunk into the house.
It was nice seeing her carefree, but seriously? They are some of the worst assassins I have ever known when it comes to their safety.
And now, as I wait downstairs for Luna to finish getting ready for Raven’s birthday party, she’s too quiet. Something’s up. I just haven’t figured out what yet.
With a sigh, I glance down at Nova, who is watching me from her usual spot near the couch. "Your mama is hiding something," I murmur, crouching down and scratching behind her ears. “What do you think, huh?”
Nova just tilts her head, giving me a suspiciously judgmental look.
I smirk. "Yeah, yeah. I could try asking her, but we both know she would just ignore me.”
She huffs, then rests her head on her paws, completely unimpressed with my problems.
"Sorry for making you wait, Dracula."
I freeze.
Slowly, I stand, turning toward the staircase?—
And fuck me.
My wife is a shapeshifter.
It’s the only explanation.
She’s wearing a crimson red dress, the silk fabric clinging to every dangerous curve of her body.
The color alone makes my mouth dry. It’s the same red as blood, the same red as desire, the same red I imagined her in the night I met her.
Her golden skin glows, kissed by the sun, and somehow even brighter under the soft lighting of the room.
But her hair?—
Her hair.
It’s straightened. It cascades down her back, almost reaching her ass, sleek and smooth like spun silk.
Her tattoos are on full display, a masterpiece inked across her skin. She’s wearing black pumps, giving her just enough height to make her legs look even longer.
And her makeup? A smoky eye. A dark, seductive haze wrapped around her deep brown irises, making her look even more dangerous than usual.
I can’t move. I can’t even breathe.
Because this woman— My wife— Is going to fucking kill me.
Luna smirks as she reaches the bottom step, tilting her head at me. “You good?”
I clear my throat. "You—" I stop. Because what do I even say? That she looks like the embodiment of every darkest fantasy I’ve ever had?
Instead, I drag a hand down my face and sigh.
“You planned this, didn’t you?”
She blinks innocently. “Planned what?”
I step forward, caging her in against the wall, my hands pressing into the wall on either side of her head.
“You,” I murmur, dragging my gaze down her body and back up. “Wearing this. Looking like this. You’re testing me.”
Her lips part, amusement flickering in her eyes.
“Dracula,” she whispers, her voice a sultry purr. “If I wanted to test you… you’d know.”
Fucking hell.
From the corner of my eye, I see Konstantin, Dimitri, Amani, and Raven lingering near the entryway, watching us with varying levels of disgust and entertainment.
Dimitri groans. "God, not this again."
Konstantin clears his throat. "We are literally standing right here."
Amani grins. "Let them be. This is better than TV."
Raven smirks. "Yeah, let’s just place bets on how long it takes before they disappear upstairs."
Luna laughs softly, reaching up to smooth her hand down my chest.
“Relax,” she purrs, her red nails lightly scratching the fabric of my shirt. “You’ll get to take this dress off of me later. If you behave.”
I arch a brow. "You mean if I let you leave this house wearing that?"
Without warning, I shake my head, then scoop her over my shoulder.
She squeals. "Vladimir!"
I slap her ass, hard. "We'll see them at the club, printsessa."
Amani howls with laughter. "Y’all, I knew they weren’t going to make it."
Dimitri sighs. "I should have left when I had the chance."
Konstantin chugs his drink.
Raven laughs, shaking her head. "Well. I guess that means Nova’s hanging with us tonight."
I smirk as I carry my struggling wife toward the staircase.
"You can all enjoy the party," I call out, grinning. "Just don’t wait up."
Luna leans down, her lips brushing my ear. “As much as I love where this is going, you must wait until after the party.”
I stop dead in my tracks. Then grunt. Loudly.
I hear Raven wheezing behind me.
Amani howls in laughter.
Konstantin smirks. "Tough break, Vova."
I exhale through my nose, set Luna back down, and glare at her.
She smirks, patting my chest. “You love it.”
I exhale, long and slow.
I do.
But I don’t have to like it.