I go through my morning routine on automatic pilot, unable to focus on anything long enough to try and make sense of it.

Last night when Demitri kissed me, I had a moment’s relief. It was so primal and intense I couldn’t think of anything but how he tasted and felt. He dominated every part of me, and I wouldn’t have stopped him if he took things further.

Stopping by my bedroom door, I just stare at it for a moment.

With my life going to hell at the speed of light, this thing… the attraction I feel for Demitri… it’s become the only good thing I have right now.

The horror swirling around me amplifies the safety I feel when he holds me.

It’s as if all my emotions have been set to full blast.

I take a couple of deep breaths, trying to regain some control, but it’s useless.

My shoulders slump as I open the door. I make my way to the kitchen, and the second my eyes land on Demitri, where he’s standing by the stove, it feels like I can take an actual breath.

Alexei glances at me from where he’s sitting by the island. “Morning.”

“Morning,” I whisper, still not sure what to make of Alexei.

I prepare a cup of coffee, and just like yesterday morning, Demitri takes hold of my chin and forces me to look up at him. His eyes search mine, then he asks, “How are you holding up?”

I shrug, and this time I’m unable to lie and say I’m okay.

His thumb brushes over my skin, and then he gives me a quick hug before he moves back to the stove.

Taking my cup of coffee, I sit down on the opposite side of the island, so the slab of marble is between Alexei and me.

I feel him staring at me and taking a sip of my beverage, I swallow hard on the warm liquid.

Even though I don’t have the strength and all I want to do is slink down to the floor, I force my eyes up to meet Alexei’s.

“So you grew up in Seattle?” he asks.

I just nod, wrapping both my hands around the mug.

“Tell me about yourself,” he orders.

I shrug. “I’m just a normal twenty-three-year-old.”

Alexei shakes his head. “Tell me.”

I lower my eyes to the mug. “Up until my life went to hell, I was a make-up artist who’s struggling to get my business off the ground. I only have acquaintances, and I visit my mom every Saturday.”

“So you’re a loner?” Alexei asks.

“You could say so,” I mutter.

“Boyfriends?”

A frown begins to form on my forehead. Lifting my eyes, I meet Alexei’s intimidating gaze. “Why are you asking me all these questions?”

The corner of his mouth lifts. “Just making small talk.”

Raising an eyebrow at him, I throw his order back at him, “Tell me about yourself.”

His mouth lifts into a smirk. “You’re traumatized enough without me adding to it.”