I have to find a way out of this.
I get up and go to him like he wants, taking his hand and allowing him to pull me into his lap so that I’m straddling him. His cologne wraps around me, his heat burning into me. I’m wearing shorts and a tank, but I may as well be naked.
He settles my hand on his heart, and I feel it thumping. Feel how vital, how alive he is.
“Look at me,cara mia.”
I force my eyes to meet his.
“I saw the picture Sidorov sent you. The one of your stepmother carrying in her groceries.”
I stiffen. “You installed spyware on the phone you gave me?”
“Of course.”
I move to get off his lap, but he’s faster and stronger, his hands clamping on my waist to keep me there. “There’s this little thing called the expectation of privacy,” I bite out, struggling against his hold.
“It’s for your own safety, Katya. I need to know where you are at all times, who is contacting you, what they’re saying.”
“I guess I shouldn’t expect anything less from the man who kidnapped me and held me hostage in the woods.”
“I told you, you’re mine to protect.” He’s completely unrepentant. “Let me protect you.”
“Yes, but not yours to control.”
“I never said I wanted to control you.”
“So you just want to know where I’m at every second of the day and analyze all my texts and calls. No alarm bells ringingthere whatsoever.” I grab his wrists and try to pry his hands off me.
But it’s not working. He’s determined, and he’s strong. So damn strong.
“No, I want to keep you safe. I have powerful enemies. Including your bastard of a brother, who clearly sent you the picture of your stepmother to coerce you into meeting with him today.” He pauses, his gaze searching mine. “Tell me the truth, Katya. Is he threatening Svetlana? Is that why you agreed to marry me?”
One picture, one text, and Enzo has put the pieces of the puzzle together. My stomach clenches.
“Let me go,” I demand, needing to get away.
To clear my head. To think without my husband’s hands on me and his big, powerful body under mine and his intoxicating scent destroying my ability to rationalize.
“I’m not letting you go. I’ll get the truth out of you, one way or another.”
But I can’t admit the threats Misha made against Svetlana, or the fact that he’s taken her and is holding her somewhere against her will, without revealing why.
“It’s between Misha and me.” I shove at his hands, desperate to get away.
“I don’t give a fuck if Mikhail Sidorov is Pakhan. If he’s threatening my wife, I want to know.” His voice is as hard as his expression. “Ineedto know, damn it. Tell me the truth.”
I want to explain everything to him. I want to believe Enzo can help me. That he can find Svetlana and get her to safety. But it’s too risky. I know Misha, and I know he wasn’t bluffing about killing my stepmother if I go against him.
“He wanted me to know he was watching her, but that’s all,” I lie. “You can never tell what Misha really wants. It’s all about power with him.”
That much is true, at least.
Enzo doesn’t release me. If anything, his grip on me tightens. “Why would he want you to know he’s watching your stepmother? There has to be a reason. He’s using Svetlana as leverage. What does he want from you? Is it to watch me? Is that why you’ve been so determined to find out more about our business?”
“No,” I’m quick to deny. “That was because I wanted you to treat me like an equal. I didn’t want you to keep everything hidden from me.”
“Like you’re doing now, you mean?” His eyes have turned cold, his jaw rigid. “Tell me, Katya.”
