She knocks my grip on her leg loose by bringing her elbow down against my ear.
I’m still trying to catch my breath when she spins out from under me and darts away.
Motherfucker.
Lucky her. She didn’t have to climb a damn mountain over the last few hours.
I pry the bag off my head and spin around to watch where she goes. Can’t have her bringing a knife down on me.
Nika reaches the fireplace and whirls to face me, wielding a new weapon.
“A fire poker. That’s basic.” I drag myself to my feet, taking my time and ensuring I’m stable before I get within her striking range. If I go rushing in, she’s likely to crush my skull.
“Basic, but effective.” She holds the poker with both hands, ready to swing.
Raising my fists into a boxer’s stance, I shuffle forward and slightly to the left.
Nika moves as well, keeping me directly in front of her. Well-trained, but also predictable.
As I dart forward, she swings like she’s going for a home run. I have no doubt this woman could hit one out of the park. I drop and roll under her swing, my muscles screaming from exertion.
Nika spins away, expecting an attack from behind.
Instead, I continue my roll, heading for the pillow on a small rocking chair. With the cushion in hand, I stand, holding the pillow up along my forearm. I can improvise shields too.
She’s already shifting into a batter’s stance, clearly preparing to break my arm.
Then I remember her trick in the suite.
With my left hand, I reach back, grab the arm of the chair, and fling the whole piece of furniture at her head.
She releases a startled squeak, ducks, and tosses the fire poker to the side so she doesn’t stab herself.
She’s not quite fast enough to evade completely.
The lightly padded back of the chair hits the top of her head, knocking her off-balance.
I’m on her before her vision can clear.
I jump on her back, grappling her wrists and yanking them together. Knowing she’ll think her way through this if I give her any time, I lower my feet to the floor and hoist her up.
Even when I fold her arms behind her back and pull tight, she doesn’t make a peep, though I can damn near hear her teeth grinding. Every inch of her trembles with defiance. Even now, pinned and helpless and completely at my mercy, she’s not giving up.
“Caught you, Nika.” I lean close to her ear. “Where are your sneaky tricks now? Good ole Dimitri? Nothing and no one left to help you, hmm?”
She breathes heavy through her nose. “Bite me.”
“Only if you beg.”
She fakes a gag. “You’re disgusting.”
A dry laugh scratches my throat. “We’re going to have fun, you and me.”
Now that I’ve got my hands on her, I drag her back to the room I saw her come out of.
Her bedroom.
She tries to resist, but I am so over this day. Using both hands, one still gloved, I haul her up and shove her face-first on her bed.
