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“I’ll reimburse you for the waters,” I say.
She’s already shaking her head. “There’s really no need.”
“I insist.”
“Dimitri—”
“Nat.”
She rolls her eyes. “You don’t like taking no for an answer, do you?”
“I know when to pick and choose my battles.”
The sound of her laugh makes my heart flutter. It’s the first time I’ve ever heard it. It’s practically music to my ears, soft and sweet.
“Can I ask you a question?” she asks after a moment.
“Sure. I’m an open book.”
“Well… It’s about last night.”
“Oh? Still thinking about that, are we?”
“How can I not?” she grumbles. “Are you telling me you can?”
Can’t argue with her there. “Ask your question, Nat.”
She nibbles her bottom lip, something almostguiltyghosting across her features. God, she’s so cute. Cute and sexy and mesmerizing in every conceivable way. Her innate shyness makes me wild.
I can still hear her breathy moan against me. I remember the look of arousal in her eyes. The scent of rose petals still lingers in my mind. We were soclose. But the nagging voice in the back of my head knew it was wrong.
Natalya’s much too young for me. Too good.I don’t mean in a worthiness sense, I mean she’s literallygood. There’s no way to sugar coat. Even if my actions stem from good intentions, I am, at the end of the day, a criminal. It would be wrong to act on this impulse, no matter how hot it burns.
“I just…” Her cheeks turn bright red.
My heart twists in my chest. Dammit, why is she looking at me like that? She’s a little lost puppy caught in the rain, her wide eyes so alluring I can’t bring myself to look away.
“Dimitri, I—”
A gunshot rips through the air.
My body reacts before my brain has a chance to register what’s going on. I move on instinct, wrapping Natalya in my arms before covering her with my form. We fall to the ground as several more shots ring out, the ear-bursting screech of tires adding to the cacophony. I make sure to cover her head and use the broadness of my back as a shield as my guards quickly react, pulling their weapons to fire at a dark blue vehicle peeling away.
I feel no pain, only anger. This has to be the work of my car bomber. Who else would have the audacity to try and kill me in broad daylight—again? Adrenaline courses through my veins, my stomach tied up in knots. It’s chaos, loud and blinding. What only lasts minutes feels like it lasts an eternity.
A million and one questions fill my mind. Who’s after me? Is anyone hurt? Thank God I sent Dahlia back with Lev and Simon. I wouldn’t want them anywhere near this mess. Shit, I can already hear Boris sayingI told you so.
Quiet settles before long. The attack is over, but there’s still work to be done. I slowly rise, my arm braced beneath Natalya. I’m perfectly fine, no pain or injuries to be found. I check her next.
Red blooms over her right shoulder, the fabric wet with her blood. She’s been shot.
“Shit,” I hiss, applying pressure to the wound. “Those bastards!”
“I-it’s okay,” she says around a pained gasp. “It’s just a flesh wound. See?” She pulls the collar of her shirt down so I can see better. She’s right. The bullet grazed the side of her deltoid. It’s not deep enough to panic, but still cause for concern.
“I need to get you to a hospital—”
“No!” she exclaims quickly. “No, it’s fine. We need to get you out of here first.”
