Ruined by my Russian Pakhan

lyn'

of my apartment. My gaze flickers to the screen. My

y,

in the middle of the chaos swirling in my

es locked on the untouch

bt in his voice unmistakabl

ion. Am I okay? No. I haven't been okay for

ing onto the one person who has never turned his back o

e." The words feel like an empty reassur

screen. The voices blur into the background, drowned out by my own thoughts. Actually,

man again? It's been a while." He tries to keep his tone

up, Dad. I'll call you back." Th

me. "Alright. Just... don'

brat to the only person who took care of me, loved me unconditi

est. My heart pounds, heavy and erratic. I inhale trying to will the suffoca

s drag me back to t

t from the ghost of his warm touch lingered on my body as he reminded me of our first encoun

ld loa

w easily my pulse still ra

and cedarwood clings to my senses, as familiar as my own

. He's already in

s open, shattering m

king like she just won

brow. "Kn

and strides in like she owns the p

y eyes.

m, returning seconds later with a tiny black dress

"I don'

he dress in front of me. "

to drown in flashing lights and music that vibrates in their bo

that's w

My dress clings to me like a second skin, the neckline plunging just enough

that's w

one else f

hts flashing in chaotic patterns that match the storm in my head. Mi

ther, ignoring the b

to the music. "You're drinki

er a lazy smile, the a

dding toward a dark-haired man making his way toward her. Within

you could use

tanding beside me-late twenties, sharp suit, the flopp

e apple martini in his h

" He extend

al ba

itl

out. I nod and laugh in all the right places, sip my drink, try to seem inter

ff the barstool-only for my ankle to give out. J

too much to drink."

, if you're free this week

ate. An

Dark, rich, utterly int

nst my lower back, sendi

a voice murmurs.

ing between me and the ma

u?" Jared ask

taking

w, creeping dread coils

Vladislav

e stepping back. "Right. Well.

efore whirling around. "Are you serious? What the

lickering in his dark eyes. "That's a question I shou

n know you. Why the h

they sound. For God's sake, he is-was my patient, so I hav

te, before settling on my shoulder and leaning too close to

he's leading me to

nything,