Page 74 of Lust and Honor

I release her wrist with a jerk and hold mine out to Maxim. “Let’s go dance.”

I need to burn this rage out of my system. He takes my hand, standing with a devilish smirk. “Yes, baby.”

As we approach the dance floor, it hits me what I’ve done. I don’t even know how to dance, yet I invited him with total confidence. Maxim pulls my hand and spins me around. The force of it sends me crashing into his chest. I look up, and he frames my face with both hands, pressing his lips to mine. The singer belts out a song about a woman who gets a man hard instantly, and as Maxim kisses me with feverish heat, I feel his growing erection against me.

He pulls back slightly and takes my hand. His other arm wraps around my waist, and he moves me with such skill it’s like we’ve been dance partners for years. The alcohol I drank heats my head, and I surrender completely, letting him move me however he wants. He lifts my hand above my head and twirls me around. I squeal and laugh, eyes squeezed shut.

When I finally open them, I catch glimpses of strangers lost in their own worlds as I twirl. But then my eyes lock onto a familiar pair of eyes. Before I can focus, they disappear into the crowd. My heart sinks, but I tell myself it’s just my imagination. Maxim spins me again, and this time, I look more carefully. There they are again.

I let out a sharp yelp of terror, but the noise gets swallowed by the music and the crowd. I wrench my hand from Maxim’s and throw myself into his arms. His hands grip my shoulders as he lowers his head to my neck.

“What’s wrong, baby?”

“Get me out of here.”

His voice darkens instantly. “What happened? Who did you see?”

I lift my head in his embrace, tears blurring everything, and whisper through the panic, “He’s here. My father’s here.”

His breathing grows so heavy that my head rises and falls noticeably against his chest. The veins in his neck bulge, and his eyes dart around like they’re throwing daggers. He shields me completely with his body and pushes me through the crowd.

When we reach the lobby, he pulls out his phone and sends a message. I can feel the gun tucked under his jacket, and it gives me a shred of comfort.

At the entrance, a few of his men are already waiting. He ushers me into the car and moves to close the door, but I grab his arm in a panic. “You’re not coming with me?”

“I’ve got to hunt this motherfucker down before he slips out of our territory. Lorenzo will take you to Carlo’s place. Stay with Aurora till I come back.”

I open my mouth to protest, but he leans in, pressing his lips to mine. “Time’s ticking. You have to trust me. You’re safe.”

“What about you? Nico’s dangerous.”

His lethal glare softens slightly. “As long as I haven’t fucked you yet, even God himself can’t take me down. And some pedophile prick sure as hell can’t.”

He tries to pull his hand away, but I grip it tighter. He takes a deep breath, staring into my eyes.

“Make him suffer before he dies,” I plead.

His eyes turn hard and merciless again. He leans down and kisses me fiercely. “He’ll pay for what he did to you and our daughter. I promise.”

***

“Don’t touch my daughter with your filthy hands! Ava, run, run!”

A hand rises with a knife, and slams it straight into my mother’s heart. Her red hair is soaked with the blood gushing from her body, her eyes frozen open, staring at me.

When the killer turns toward me, I try to scream, but no sound comes out. I turn to run, but I plummet into an invisible abyss, my body swallowed by darkness.

The darkness and silence engulf everything, and I’m surprised to find myself lying on something soft. I open my eyes, and the first thing I see is Aurora’s vibrant orange hair.

My racing heart slows, and calm replaces terror. I sit up on the bed, and it all comes rushing back. The club. My father. And Maxim going after him. I waited for hours in that short dress, but sleep must’ve finally claimed me. The sky outside is still twilight, not yet morning.

I catch the scent of Maxim’s cigarette, and scramble off the bed, rushing to the terrace. As soon as I open the door, cold air bites at my bare skin, making me shiver. But I don’t care and step out barefoot.

I was right, he’s here. He’s leaning against the stone railing, staring at the forest beyond the estate. Without me calling his name, he senses me and turns. Dark circles shadow his eyes from lack of sleep, but he still looks solid. Unbreakable. A rock I can lean on.

I cross my arms over my chest, my voice trembling from cold and exhaustion. “Is he dead?”

He tosses his cigarette to the ground and nods.