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Including Sevastian.
“Where is he?” I asked, not expecting an answer.
And I didn’t get one, both men escorting me to a table by a fireplace, the sweet smell of oak logs catching me off guard.
“Mr. Sevastian expresses his apologies at being late. He will be here in five minutes.” The second man held a distinct Russian accent where Sevastian had almost none. At least his politeness was an unexpected pleasure.
The other enforcer took my coat, tossing it across one of the empty tables before both men walked out of the restaurant. I thought I’d felt alone before but being inside a beautiful location with no other customers was unsettling.
At least I wasn’t alone for long, a waiter appearing with water as well as red wine. I had to smile; Sevastian had been observant.
The waiter had obviously been told what and how to do things, smiling yet remaining silent. I swirled my finger across the incredibly large crystal goblet, taking a few seconds to glance around the room. From what I could tell, the only place setting was at our table. What in God’s name did Sevastian think he was doing?
While I took a sip of wine, I realized this might be my only chance to get away. Even Isabella had begged me to allow her to help me, which wasn’t like my goody two-shoes sister. She’d toed the family line as if she’d been drinking the Kool-Aid. If I called her, then maybe, just maybe we could figure out a plan together. I shifted my head over my shoulder, unable to see anyone alive or dead.
Smirking, I slunk over to my coat, recognizing the two goons sitting across the street in a big black SUV. Even with smoky windows, there was no mistaking who they were. A second vehicle was parked on the cross street. I wondered how many more there were.
I headed to the back of the restaurant, noticing the brightly colored restroom sign. As with every restaurant in New York, there had to be an emergency exit. I struggled into my coat, heading toward the small hallway at the same time. The door was right in in front of me. Freedom. I could almost taste it. Granted, I had no idea what I was going to do, but for now, I could feel the wash of the evening breeze on my face as I found a hiding spot until my sister arrived.
As soon as I touched the steel push handle, a series of prickling sensations coursed up the backs of my legs. I took several shallow breaths, refusing to accept defeat. The second I opened it a crack, he finally spoke.
Him.
The beast.
My fiancé.
“I don’t think you want to do that, my lovely bride to be. I assure you that I have two men just outside that door, prepared in the off chance you’d try and escape. Now, you really don’t want to know what they’ve been instructed to do. Or do you? Since you told me you enjoy danger, then by all means, go ahead.” His voice was even more powerful than twenty hours before. There was a husky gruffness exuding toxicity and authority.
He knew who I was. At least we were even.
I turned around slowly, staring at him in the subtle light of the hallway. To say he was as gorgeous as the night before might be the understatement of the year. His aura had been elevated to an entirely different level. This was his doing, his choice. He was in his element, and he knew it. He was casually leaning against the wall, his legs crossed and his hands in his pockets. The way the light reflected off his eyes was almost as terrifying as the man standing in front of me.
I’d used the reference the devil incarnate before, but he was even darker, more ominous while simply standing still studying me.
“I don’t think you want to threaten Don Vincheti’s youngest daughter.”
My words forced him to laugh. I shuddered from the way he continued to look at me. It was entirely different than the night before, possessive in a knowing way. He’d already won his prize at the carnival. Now he was taking his time figuring out which part to break apart and feast on first.
“My lovely bride to be, I’m certainly not threatening you. That would be beneath me at this point. I’m making a strong suggestion that you return to the table I asked for specifically so we can enjoy our time together.”
“What did you do, rent the place out?”
He shook his head, a smirk on his face. “My sweet girl. I own this restaurant as well as two others. In fact, I own a string of very profitable, legal businesses. What do you think about the recent renovation?”
Shit. I should have searched for his real estate holdings. “What I think is that you’re missing out on thousands of dollars by shutting the doors tonight. After all, this isn’t a date, just a meeting.”
“A meeting. That’s an interesting way of putting our engagement dinner. Do you honestly think I care about money?”
“You certainly don’t care about me. You made that painfully obvious last night.” I wanted to be able to say he made my skin crawl, but it was entirely the opposite. I was on fire, ignited from his stunning good looks and his possessive nature. Every alarm in my body was going off, voices pinging at me to shut him down. Even the quiet demand from my inner voice did little to keep me from clenching my thighs, a crazy anticipation filtering through me.
“Did I now?” He took a step closer, and I moved to the other side of the hallway, trying to keep my composure. Everything about him was dominating, including his cold, hard stare. He crowded my space, studying me carefully. Then he trailed a long line with a single finger down my neck, moving across my jaw, his chest rising and falling as lust became his driving force. I jerked away, gritting my teeth. This bastard was trying to seduce me. It wouldn’t work. I could see right through his worthless bravado, catching a glimpse of the evil man inside.
“You’re deplorable just like the rest of your family.” The jaded barb meant nothing to him. I doubted anything I said would hurt his feelings.
“Such nasty words coming from such a luscious mouth. Perhaps we should begin our evening by washing your mouth out with soap.”
“I would think given your bloodline that you’d be used to much worse. Oh, that’s right. No one would survive challenging the great Sevastian Kozlov.”
