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My hands immediately steady her, and I look to see if she’s hurt.
“I told you he would follow if I got out with you,” Max singsongs.
Begrudgingly, I move my eyes to Max, who’s leaning against the brick wall in the alleyway.
“Why are you following me, Demetri? First, the restaurant, and now you’re following me around in a car?”
She did notice me. I try to hide my smirk as her index finger pokes at my hard chest.
“Why were you holding his hand?” I can’t keep the jealousy from my voice. The question popped out without me thinking.
“You have no right to me.” She pokes again. I love when she gets feisty. I can feel my dick harden in my pants.
“I’m hardly following you. In fact, I could almost ask you the same question.” Each nerve in my body jolts awake with her so close. The fog living in my head is lifting, just from her presence near me. I thrive on this energy that courses through me.
“I want nothing to do with you, Demetri.”
Her words cut, but I refuse to let her know that. She walks around me, but I’m not done talking to her. I love the sound of her voice. I love how I feel around her. One hit is never enough when you’re a junkie, and that’s how I feel about her.
“I want to see the girls,” I speak without thinking again. My heart pounds in my chest. She’s silent, glaring up at me. How is it I’ve never realized how alive she makes me feel? Before her, I was focused on work, not living. Since I’ve met her, she has sparked a need in me to be something other than the head of the Bratva.
“I would never keep you from them, if your intentions are pure. But I will not allow you to play with Charlotte’s heart by coming into her life one day and not returning again. She’s already having a difficult time.”
I love my daughter with everything I have. Going cold turkey like this has hurt me just as much.
I step into her and lower my voice. “What about you?”
Her breathing hitches. And a light shade of pink rises from her chest. It’s the reaction I was hoping for.
“I want the best for the girls. Other than that, you no longer exist in my world,” she dryly replies.
I want to tell her I still love her. My mind and heart battle over if I should. Her fuckable lips are puckered, and her forehead is creased, but she’s still the most beautiful woman I’ve ever set eyes on.
“If you are serious about seeing the girls, it has to be a regular commitment. I will not let them settle for second best. I know what it feels like to think you don’t matter to your family. I refuse to allow them to feel that way.”
I reach for her hand. Her pulse bounces over my fingers before she snaps her hand away. “You have my word.”
“Your word means shit. I need more than that.” She turns to walk away, and Max follows her like a lost little puppy. He has the nerve to fucking wink at me before he takes a long, hard look at her ass. Fury rises inside me.
I’ve been fucking stupid to believe that I could stay away from her. I’m not a self-sacrificing man. The only time I’ve felt this fire in my veins is with her. She makes me happy. She makes me a better person.
I’ve chased her once. I’m willing to do it again. Katrina Sokolov is mine. I just need to remind her of that once again.
Chapter 40: Katrina
Mybodyshakesfromthe interaction with Demetri in the alleyway. I can’t calm myself down.
“You’re strong. You can come out on top of this,” Max tells me, and I give him a weak smile.
What I wouldn’t give to hear those words from Demetri.
But I can’t think like that now. I have two daughters to protect. I will not be a doormat. I will not be that weak girl I was before I met Demetri.
I blow out a shaky breath. “It just hurts. Heartbreak isn’t anything new. I’ve survived it before, and I can do it again. I’ve grown enough to know how to handle my emotions.” My truth comes out, and Iknowit’s true. I may have made a lot of mistakes growing up, but I’ve learned from them. I refuse to go down that same path as before.
“He still loves you.” I scoff at the ridiculousness of Max’s comment. “I saw how he reacted when I touched you. If he didn’t love you, he wouldn’t have cared.”
“I suppose that’s his mistake to bear. I refuse to allow him to treat me like nothing.”
