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Eden lies on top of a table, using her arm as a pillow. Though she’s asleep, her expression looks troubled. Her fist is clenched under her cheek, and her forehead is creased as the corners of her mouth pull down.
Something tugs in my gut when I see her.
She’s the picture of innocence and beauty, and I’ve ruined it all.
Gently, I brush my fingers along her cheek, savoring the softness of her skin. I let my mind imagine how she’ll greet me. Will she open her arms wide and fling herself into my grasp? Will she let me hold her close as I bury my face in her hair?
But that’s not our story—I’m the pakhan, and she is the traitor’s daughter.
And when her eyes open, she instinctively backs away and slides too far across the table. I rush around to the other side to keep her from toppling off, and she clutches my jacket only to regain her balance.
I feel her body trembling against mine, and another surge of remorse at what I’ve done to her courses through me.
She shoves my hands off and glares at me with pouty lips I want to taste. She has every right to hate me for what happened, but it still doesn’t stop the tugging feeling in my chest when I see her.
“Why are you here?” she asks sharply.
“I’m taking you back to the penthouse,” I reply.
Eden jumps off the table and backs away from me. “No.”
Smirking, I try not to laugh, as if she could stop me. “Would you prefer my brigadiers?”
She doesn’t answer me, but her eyes do. And I don’t like what they tell me.
“Did they hurt you?” I demand to know as if I own her.
“Fuck you!” she shouts, anger twisting her mouth. “Don’t touch me again.”
“Eden,” I warn her with my tone. “Did they hurt you?”
“Maybe I should wait for my father instead.” She smiles sarcastically, waiting for a reaction.
Enough of the games. Pavel is a good shot, but not if he’s ambushed by a gang of armed Lanzzare men. Or by Zakhar himself.
“I don’t have time to play games,” I snarl as I snatch her arm. “I don’t intend to chase you across state lines again. So don’t be stupid.”
She smacks my hand off her arm and steps farther away. Her chest rises and falls as she watches for my next move. It’s too fast for her to react. Eden tries to push me off, but this time, my grip is tight as I hoist her over my shoulder and carry her out of the room, leaving the door open to light our way.
Eden pounds my back with her fists and curses my nerve. “Let me go!” she screams. “I don’t belong to you.”
I lower her to the floor until she lands on her feet and pin her to the outside door. Instinctively, my body pushes against hers. I let Eden feel what she does to me. How her rebellion is turning me on.
“But you do,” I whisper near her ear. “And you will never leave me again.”
I press my lips against hers, but Eden turns her face away. I grab her chin and force my mouth on hers, but I stop abruptly when I realize she’s not playing. She glares at me as tears appear in her eyes.
I let Eden go but grab hold of the door handle so she can’t push it open and run.
“I will always bring you back.” My words are low and threatening. “I will hurt anyone who helps you, and I will make it so that you won’tdareto try again.” I step closer so my breath warms her clenched lips. “It’s time you learn the oath like a Bratva queen. Repeat after me …You care for no one but the Bratva …”
Eden stares at me in horror but refuses to speak. I grab her throat, applying enough pressure until she opens her mouth and gasps for air. Eden grabs for my hand, and I let go.
“Say it,” I hiss.
“You care for no one but the Bratva …”Her quivering voice sounds like music, the sweetest song I’ve ever heard.
“Good,” I reply. “Now repeat—and you shall love none other than the Bratva.”
