I straightened and wiped the sweat away from my brow.
My heart jumped when I heard a sound behind me. I spun around and to my horror, Yuri and his immense and rude companion were watching me, their hands in their pockets. They were magnificently dressed, clothed in tailored luxury suits I was sure cost more than everything Charlotte and I owned. There must be cameras around the house. They must have seen me creep down the stairs.
I met Yuri’s eyes boldly, refusing to cower.
He didn’t say anything, but his cold stare was a demand for an explanation.
“I’m leaving,” I declared, lifting my chin. “I’m sure you’ll agree that it’s not a good idea to remain in this house.” My words sounded borderline silly, but I didn’t care, they could think what they wanted.
Yuri continued on his way without a word, and I was left staring after him in shock. He didn’t care whether I stayed or went! Something inside me broke.
“You can’t leave,” I heard his companion say.
I dragged my gaze back to him. “What?” In truth, he intimidated me. He was the kind of man I would cross the street to avoid.
His face looked stern. “We have business in Positano, we’ll be back in two days, so please remain with Yulia until then.”
“I—”
“It is important. Do it for the child.”
I nodded.
“Thank you,” he said with a nod, then walked off too.
I was left staring after both of them, as the gigantic front door banged shut. The sound seemed to shake the house…and my heart. I felt so on edge, and unsettled. A dark cast of sadness overcame me and I was left with the hollow feeling of a reeling, cold loss. I really was just a fuck toy for him. I’d given myself so easily too. I felt like a slut. Something a rich man had used and discarded. My only use now was as a nanny for his niece.
Fine. I comforted myself by reminding myself that this was what the devil did. He made us do the unthinkable. I would stay for those two days and then I would go. Fortunately, my heart wasn’t broken. Only my ego had been dented and only a little. I was a fool, but everyone made mistakes. Yuri would go down in history as my greatest mistake.
Never again, would I let a man take me down this path.
Chapter 17
Yuri
I’m sure you’ll agree that it’s not a good idea to remain in this house.
What the fuck! I was so fucking furious, I actually saw red. I couldn’t think. I couldn’t speak. I just wanted to throw her over my shoulder, march upstairs, and fuck her until she came to her fucking senses.
But I didn’t have that luxury. I couldn’t fuck it all up, because my dick wanted pussy. The only thing I could do was walk away. I knew to even attempt to call her out on her bullshit would have only made it worse. Irretrievably worse.
She intended to walk away. Just like that. Well, fuck her. I didn’t need her. What did she think? She was the only woman with a pussy between her legs? I could replace her in a heartbeat. And I would. When this shit was over, I would go out there and fuck twenty redheads until I got her out of my system.
This was for the best. I’d broken my most sacred rule. Never mix business with pleasure. I was getting too entangled. Last night, instead of concentrating on the plan, I couldn’t stop thinking of her, and wanting to go to her. I didn’t need this shit in my life. A woman was for fucking, pure and simple. Anything more and they got you by the balls. No woman was twisting me around her little finger.
Not April Winters. Not anybody.
I realized that Alex had stayed behind to talk to her. It made me even angrier to think of him talking to her. Did he want to fuck her too? I swallowed the ball of fury in my throat. Would she open her legs for him the way she did for me? My fists clenched, then opened when I heard his footsteps close behind me.
I wrenched the door open and walked out. It was already hot and balmy. I heard the door slam and Alex joined me on the steps. We didn’t speak as we walked to the car.
I slid in as Alex got in on the other side. “I’ll replace her,” I said coldly.
“She’s going to stay until we get back. Yulia needs someone to be with her,” he replied.
I felt a jolt of pleasure run through my body, but I didn’t say anything.
“But it is a good idea to replace her. I’ll ask Zelda to start arranging new interviews.”
I turned my head and looked out of the window. Alex was right. It would be the best solution. Replace her and get back on track with my life.