Total pages in book: 84
Estimated words: 81947 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 410(@200wpm)___ 328(@250wpm)___ 273(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 81947 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 410(@200wpm)___ 328(@250wpm)___ 273(@300wpm)
He rolled up one sleeve, then the other, exposing more of his intricate tattoos. I couldn’t quite make out the imagery, but they seemed to be filled with violent, religious idolatry. “You are trying my patience, woman. I put you on that plane for a fucking reason.”
My lips twisted as I shifted to the other hip. “Oh, yeah, I remember. For my own safety. Well, I happen to know that some random Southside gang killed the dictator, and they do not know I even exist.”
“For someone who supposedly doesn’t know anything, you seem to be very well informed.”
Crap.
Besides telling him I knew about the gang, I’d practically blurted out that I was the forger.
Damn, this man had me rattled.
“That’s beside the point. The point is I’m no longer in danger, so there was no need for me to leave the country.”
A muscle ticked above his right cheekbone as he advanced toward me.
Walking backwards so I could keep my eye on him, I circled around his desk.
His voice was soft and low, more a deep vibration, like the distant rumble of thunder. “Oh, no, krasivaya, you are definitely still in danger.”
My ankle turned as I stumbled. Stupid shoes. I kicked them off before scurrying further around the desk, away from him. “You can’t just order me to uproot my life. What about my apartment? Family? What if I have a boyfriend? What about my friends? They are probably worried—”
I didn’t even finish my sentence.
He moved so quickly, he was just a blur of white from his dress shirt.
His body slammed into mine, pushing me back against the wall. Pinning me there with the force of his chest, he leaned one forearm over my head and placed his other hand at my throat. “His name.”
I blinked, stunned by the sudden extreme tension in the room. “What?”
“The boyfriend’s name. Give it to me. Now,” he growled.
Flashbacks to him demanding the same information two nights ago ran across my mind. He had assumed I was lying, which I was. Obviously, he’d changed his mind.
“I don’t cheat. If I really had a boyfriend, we wouldn’t have slept together.”
His gaze focused on my mouth as he slowly shook his head. “Nothing would have stopped me from fucking you then… just like now.”
I rose on my toes as I clasped my hand around his wrist, trying to dislodge his grip. “You’re out of your mind. The other night was a huge mistake. We’re not having sex again.”
He raised an eyebrow. “Maybe you’ll change your mind after your punishment.”
I inhaled a gasp so quickly, I choked.
He released my throat and I immediately ducked under his arm and stumbled across the room. Placing one of the lounge chairs between us, I repeated, “Punishment?”
Var strolled after me, reaching over the fireplace to pull down one of the riding crops. He slapped the leather end against his palm. “You didn’t think you’d get away with disobeying me without a punishment, did you?”
My gaze shifted between his face and the riding crop. “You’re mad if you think I’m going to let you hit me with that thing. I’ll go to the cops for real if you even try.”
The corner of his mouth lifted as he slapped the crop against his hand again. “I’ll drive you to the police station myself and introduce you around—after we’re done.”
My fingernails dug into the black leather back of the chair. “You’re bluffing. I Googled you. I know all about your suspected ties to the Russian Mafia through this place.”
He set the crop aside.
My relief was short-lived when his hands moved to undo the buttons of his shirt. After only a few, he pulled it from his pants waistband and over his head, exposing his chiseled and inked chest.
Tossing the shirt aside, he advanced toward me.
I screamed and lunged for the locked door. Curling my hand into a fist, I pounded on it. “Help! Help!”
Var flipped me around and pressed my back against the door frame. “You’re wrong, beautiful. I don’t have any suspected ties to the Russian Mafia. I am the fucking Russian Mafia.”
His mouth slammed down on mine.
CHAPTER 15
VAR
Fuck, she tasted good.
It had only been one day and already I was craving more.
If she hadn’t walked through that door, I would have been on a plane to Italy by nightfall.
The Southside gang were being taught a lesson about interfering in our business by Serg later tonight. And I’d convinced the others Vivian was not a threat.
The only outstanding issue was the forger, but I’d find and deal with them, eventually.
So there was nothing to keep me from claiming her.
Nothing except her rebellious streak, which would have to be dealt with immediately.
She needed to learn that an order was an order, and when I gave one, I expected it to be obeyed.
Especially when her safety was in question.