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I would do anything to keep that from happening, even if that meant…
No. Oh, God, no. The bastard would require my body in exchange. I closed my eyes, fighting the terror and uncertainty. And I knew I’d do anything to protect my mother.
No matter the consequences.
As I walked past the bedroom door, I opened it a crack and glanced into the hallway, a part of me ready to try to escape. No. That wasn’t what I’d been taught to do. I wasn’t in any imminent danger, except from the desire still spinning inside of me. The more information I gathered, the greater the chance that I could find a way to escape.
Resigned, I closed it quietly, heading into the bathroom, surprised at the luxurious setting. When I threw open the closet doors, I was taken aback by the number of pieces of clothing he’d commanded to be purchased. As I shifted the hangers, I realized that not only was every piece new, still with a tag, they were all in my size. Was that just coincidence? No. There was no such thing in life as a happenstance. What else had Kostya found out about me? More important, what did he believe I could provide from my… dead father’s belongings?
A moment of sadness swept through my system and as I crowded the counter, staring at my reflection, blood still caked on my shirt, dots covering the side of my neck, I began to shake more violently than I’d done before. “Don’t worry, Daddy. I’ll make you proud. That monster will never force me to betray you. No matter what I’m required to do.” Maybe I’d just made a deal with the devil himself, but Kostya would never break me.
And I would never allow the murderer to sully my father’s reputation.
* * *
Kostya
Damn the woman.
Her beauty.
Her lilting voice.
Her utter defiance.
Emily’s scent lingered, filling my nostrils and inflaming my desire. That made me angry. Furious. I strode into my office, barely acknowledging my second in command. I raked my hand through a set of papers on my desk, sending them floating toward the floor.
“You’re in a shitty mood,” Diego huffed.
“I have my reasons.”
“You brought her here, to this house. Are you out of your mind?” His comment riled the hell out of me. He usually knew better than to jump me as soon as I’d returned from whatever assignment I’d endured. Any other man would be on the floor, his face bloodied, but my lieutenant and I had been through far too much together.
“It was the best choice,” I snarled as I moved toward the bar. By the time we’d arrived, the afternoon sun had cast its rays across the estate. I was more exhausted than usual, the last forty-eight hours not anything like I’d expected.
Then there was the beautiful woman. I dragged my tongue across my lips, trying to keep my desire in check. I’d made a promise that I intended on keeping. I had enough money as well as good looks to have any woman I craved, although as of late I hadn’t been interested in carnal activity. While only for a night, their company had always provided a minimal amount of satisfaction.
With Emily, that wouldn’t be nearly enough. I’d need more, enough so I realized that I could become lost in my brutal desires, ignoring business for far too long.
“You’ve never brought anyone here. Why her?”
“Because it was necessary. Because she could provide certain classified information that could allow me to bask in wealth for the rest of my life.” I wasn’t in the mood to tell him the truth, the ridiculousness of craving her going against my entire method of operation. What the hell did I care about money? I had enough to purchase a goddamn country if I wanted to. Money had been the injection of a glorified drug for the first year, fueling the work ethic. Now? I couldn’t give a fuck.
“Right. You have more money than God. Just know that if anyone finds out that she’s with you, you’ll have another target on your back.”
“As if I don’t have enough already.” I turned to face him, my anger breaching the surface once again.
“What happened with the operation?” he asked, knowing me better than anyone.
“Alexei Kozlov indicated the snitch had already done far too much damage. Let’s just say I won’t be returning to New York anytime soon.”
He stared at me incredulously, huffing under his breath. “Jesus fucking Christ. I knew I should have gone with you. We should have cleaned house.”
“And what the fuck good would that have done?” I never raised my voice. The fact I’d ignored every basic moment of personal training was a clear indication that she’d crawled under my skin.
His glare was as harsh as the one Emily had given me minutes before. She had every right to distrust me, not that it should matter in the least. But it did. I felt as if I was slip sliding into questioning my humanity for taking advantage of our intense connection.
“Maybe you’re right. Always the fucking loner. I take it the equipment is gone?”
