Page 66 of Lord of Passion

"Well, what if I told you…" he taps his finger against the cleft in his chin, "that I know something that would decisively impact your family?"

My mouth twists bitterly. "My brothers are dead, and you know that."

He chuckles, as if he's delighted by my feistiness. "But they aren't your only family, are they?"

My heart gives one leaden thud and it feels like it stopped in my chest, like there's nothing there but a weight that refuses to participate with the rest of my circulatory system.

"Let me be clear, Johann," I speak carefully, because I want this fucker to remember every single word I say. "You have now threatened my cousin, who is married to Alexsey Morozov from the Morozov Bratva, which is the most powerful one on the East Coast. You know this, I'm sure. You should also know that they are relentless in tracking down their enemies. Any threats to their family are dealt with in the most vicious,horrificway to send a message."

I take one step closer just to prove he's not scaring me, but my insides are twisting like snakes. "Would you like to know the fantasy I had, just a minute ago?"

His dark eyebrows go up, he's intrigued. "Tell me.”

"I was picturing what the Morozov family would do to you if they knew that you were even in this room, threatening one of their wives." I smile sweetly; I can see every detailsoclearly in my mind. "They would rip your chest wide open, stem to stern and scoop out all your intestines like fruit salad and then…" My voice drops to a whisper, but I know he hears every word. "They would pile burning red coals inside your empty chest cavity, and we would all eat dinner around you like it was a barbecue."

It's explicit and horrifying, and somehow even worse spoken than it was when I imagined it and yet this man is not even remotely upset. In fact, his eyes are glittering and the feeling I get when a deal goes bad or I'd misjudged a poker hand sweeps over me.

I just turned the sick fuck on.

Johann draws in a long, shuddering breath with a smile. "I'm a patient man Caroline.” He stands up, buttoning his jacket. He's wearing expensive onyx cufflinks, and he has a few rings on his fingers. The one on his pinky is a crest, but I can't see it well enough to recognize it. "I may be patient," he repeats, "but it is quite close to its end. I know how fierce your love is for the people you care about. One day I hope to be one of them. I can't imagine you would want any of them to suffer because of you. Think about what I've said. I'll be in touch."

He steps closer and I refuse to back down, shifting my right foot and turning sideways so that he can walk past me. Pausing, he bends slightly as if he wants to kiss me on the cheek, but he sees something in my eyes that lets him know I will bite his chinclear through to the boneif he tries.

Johann leaves with a fond glance over his shoulder as he gently shuts the door. I sink into one of the visitor's chairs with a thump, like my knees turned to water.

What just happened? Did he really threaten Liria? Or is he some sick fuck who thinks that he can screw around with me because of my background?

I look down at my hands. They’re shaking and I spread my fingers wide on my lap to make the tremor less obvious.

"Well… fuck," I say to the empty room. "What do I do now?"

Chapter Thirty

In which there is deeply needed dessert.

Caroline…

How thehelldid Johann get into my office?

My knees are water, and it takes me a minute to straighten up. I wobble to the door, ripping it open. Isaak's head shoots up. "Are you all right, Mrs. Morozova?"

"Did you see that man?" I look in both directions around the hall.

"What man?" He puts his hand inside his jacket, by his holster.

"He just came out of my office," I rub the back of my neck, feeling insane. "Tallish? Black ponytail, kind of pale? Nice suit."

"I am sorry," he says carefully. "But I haven't seen anyone leave your office since your meeting with your assistant manager."

Am I crazy?No, I'm not. I had a conversation with that asshole. "Wait, this is simple." I turn around and head over to my security monitors, six of them, lining the wall. I turn them on and use the remote to playback the footage from the security camera positioned right across the hall from my door. I watch the numbers, frowning. It was just a minute or two since he left. The only movement is Rafail heading down the hall, probably histurn to stretch his legs, and use the bathroom. Isaak strolls back and forth, looking calm.

Then, it loops, Rafail walking down the hall again. This bastard looped my footage? How? It goes to an off-site server! I eye my monitor board. Johann could have done it from here, but it still doesn't explain how he got into my office in the first place.

I remember what he said about Liria. I have to see her.

Grabbing my suit jacket, I speedwalk out of the office. "I have to go, right now," I tell a puzzled Isaak. "To Liria's. Now. Can you call Rafail to meet us at the car?"

There are frown lines carved into his face, but he nods politely, ushering me down the steps to the lobby.