Chapter 17
CHAPTER 17
ELLIE
J ust my luck. My father is a government assassin.
Fuck my life. I have a whore for a mother and a killer for a father.
Kill me now.
I say nothing as Arman drives his treasured Mclaren away from the house of horrors and only when we have been traveling for thirty minutes does it strikes me we are not heading back the same way that we came.
“Where are we going?”
“My penthouse.”
“Why?”
I really hoped I would be heading back to the bomb proof room because I probably need it more than ever now.
“Because you are safer with me.”
“Am I Arman?” I shake my head. “I very much doubt that.”
My heart is racing at his words because I never expected this and I’m surprised to discover I’m happy with the arrangement.
I lean back in my seat and close my eyes, knowing he won’t make polite conversation. It doesn’t matter. I have nothing I want to say anyway because tonight has been a learning curve I would rather hadn’t happened. Just imagining what’s going on back at the house chills my blood and after a while, I say hesitantly, “Those poor women. They are in hell.”
“Are they malysh?”
“Of course, that was disgusting.”
I’m angry for them and Arman shakes his head.
“It is their business and they understand the rules. If they didn’t want to be there, they wouldn’t be. Nobody was forced to do anything and they are happy with the cash in exchange for their morals. Save your sympathy for their poor wives who are clueless about their husband’s sordid activities.”
I feel bad now because I forgot Arman’s father was one of those men and his wife wasn’t his plus one either. I suppose I never thought of it that way and, instinctively, I reach out like I did before and rest my hand on his leg. “I’m sorry. You’re thinking of your mom, aren’t you?”
He nods. “I can’t believe he kept this from her. From us. It’s as if he lived a double life and the two worlds never met.”
“Have you asked her if she knew?”
His frown deepens and he growls, “Why would she? She would be angry and upset, anyone would. ”
“I’m only asking a question. There’s no need to bite my head off.”
To my surprise, he laughs softly and I snap. “Why is that so funny?”
“Because I love it when you’re angry.”
“You’re a strange man, Arman Romanov.”
Despite my frustration with him, I laugh and am surprised when his hand rests on mine and he asks, “Are you hungry?”
“It’s eleven o’clock at night.”
“That doesn’t answer my question.”
“Then yes. I am a little.”
He veers off the road into a small clearing and I notice a small catering truck parked in the lot.
“I can recommend the burgers.”
“You eat here?” I’m astonished.
“Come. My treat.”
It makes me laugh. “You know, Arman, you are a shit date.”
He raises his eyes and I shake my head. “You take me to an orgy where I’m required to prostitute myself, and then you reward me with a greasy burger on the roadside. So, for future reference, if you ask me again, I’m washing my hair that night.”
He surprises me by leaning in and grasping my face between his hands and whispers against my lips, “The night is just beginning, malysh. Your mind may be of a different opinion in the morning.”
I swear every nerve ending inside me is on alert right now as his breath dusts against my lips, and I am regretting the absence of my underwear as my body reacts to his touch. I can’t focus on anything other than his dark eyes glittering and I can’t breathe as his lips flutter against mine.
I lean forward instinctively, desperate for something I’ve never wanted before. This is different. He is different and I am curious what being with a man like him would be like. Would he be the same as my past disappointing encounters, or would it be different? Would I finally discover what the fuss is all about?
I hate how bereft I feel as he pulls away and says lightly, “Come. First, we eat.”
I am so flustered. He has scrambled my mind and I’m thankful it’s dark outside because my face is on fire, along with my libido. When Arman stepped in to save me earlier, I saw him differently and now when his breath touches my face and I stare at the hunger in his eyes, there is only one thing on my mind. Him.