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“Fuck.”
“You don’t think …” Dmitri starts.
“We keep underestimating how much she is willing to do to get away from me.”
I march toward the closest ATV and motion for Dmitri to hold the door wide open. The loud engine alerts my men, who look over as I round the corner of the garage, heading toward the lawn. The loud, vibrating roar makes it obvious why she chose the golf cart instead.
I climb the slope, leaving tracks in the unsullied green lawn. And as I descend, I see my bride. The train of her dress billows as her vehicle races toward the tree line at a pace slightly faster than walking.
If I weren’t furious, I’d laugh out loud at her boldness and the absurdity of it all. I’ve had so many women who would do anything to get my attention. I’ve slept with many who lied that they didn’t know who I was. Or lied that money didn’t impress them. Or lied that it was nothing other than a fling.
Somehow, I’ve managed to pick the only one who truly wants nothing to do with me.
A slight smile crosses my lips and, to my surprise, I exhale in relief with the knowledge that she’s safe and still alive.
The ATV engine roars again, and this time Paige turns to look as I barrel down on her. Her mouth forms a perfect ‘O’ before she faces forward and leans into the vehicle as if she can will the cart to move faster.
With ease, I cut her off. The cart hits the side of the ATV and sputters to a stop. Silence descends between us as she sits there, her hands knuckle-white as she grips the wheel. She does her best to stare past me, but I know that her brain is working. Right now, she’s cycling through every possible alternate escape route as she waits for my next move.
I let her wait.
Suddenly, Paige leaps up and tries to run for it. She kicks off her heels and runs toward the tree line. The ludicrous dress trails after her with every step. She gathers the skirt that keeps tripping her up and continues.
I chuckle and watch until a thought alarms me.
What if someone is hidden behind the trees? A sharpshooter not on the guest list.
I leap off the ATV and hit the ground, running after her. She’s easy to overtake as the fabric wraps around her legs and trips her up. My pace quickens behind her as I lunge forward to grab her by her waist and pull her down to the ground. We tumble over each other down a grassy incline until we finally stop in a dip in the grass.
Sprawled on the ground, our heavy breathing obscures the sounds around us. I hold my breath and listen to the sound of the woods around us. My hand covers her mouth even as her hands try to push me away in vain. I won’t let go of her.
Not this time.
She nips my palm with her teeth and I cry out, shaking out my hand.
“I can’t breathe,” she hurries to tell me. I loosen my grip enough for her to take a few deep, gasping breaths.
It’s not safe here. I grab her, haul her up onto her feet, and carry her back to the vehicles. She squirms against me, determined to fight me like the hellcat I know she is. I loosen my grip slightly and she tumbles to the ground, facedown.
Pinning her body down, I grab her chin and yank her face toward mine. Her cheeks are wet with tears, and her eyes are shining with ones that are still unshed. She bites her plump lips to keep another sob from fighting to break free.
I say nothing as I stare at my bride.
“I hate you,” she whispers, chest rising up and down. “I hate you so much.”
A tremor rushes through me at the intensity of the words. Her hate makes mecrave. It makes me want to tame her. It makes me want to teach her how to obey. I press hard against her body and feel her wiggle against my hard cock. For a moment, I wonder if she knows how much I relish the challenge.
“I don’t hate you, Paige Barinov,” I whisper, taking extra time to let her hear how easily her name fits to mine. “I told you: I need you. And right now, I need you to understand that this isn’t a game. When are you going to understand that our lives are in danger?”
“You’re the only source of danger for me.” She tries hard to control her breath. “My life wasn’t like this before. I had worries, but nothing I couldn’t handle. Nothing I wasn’t used to. And then you ruined my life, and I should give a shit about you?” She tosses herself onto her back. Her tears are gone, and now there’s only fire burning in her crystal blue eyes. “If it wasn’t for you, I wouldn’t be involved in this. Whatever this is!”
“You honestly know nothing?”
She slams her fist into the ground. “What am I supposed to know, Andrei?”
I almost confront her. How can she not know how deep she’s already in? How can she not know how deep her father is in? Shesawa man point a gun at her. Someone tried to kill her! She cannot be so clueless.
But her anger is sincere, and her anguish gives me just enough pause.
