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Chapter 6 – Viktor
The success of bringingBriana out of her icy shell was quickly sapped away by what happened next. Against my better judgement, she chased down her sister, Bridgit, who was deep in conversation with Gavin, Bridgit’s twin. There was another faux family meeting, followed by another skeptical assessment of me, and an even more tactless display of derision from the twins. I could feel the defeat wafting off Briana.
Unlike the meeting with her parents, Briana kept her distance, avoiding all opportunities for me to wrap my arm around her or hold her hand. I figured she was still pissed about our kiss.
Finally, I caught her wrist and dragged her out of the conference room. “I can’t stand another minute in that war room,” I snapped as soon as we were out the door.
“You’re welcome to leave,” Briana bit back.
Stopping in the hall, I pinched the bridge of my nose. “You need to get it through your head that they don’t want you in there, suits.”
The words were out before I could think better of it, and I blinked in time to see the physical slap they left on Briana’s beautiful face.
“How dare you—!” she began.
“Yes, I dare,” I interrupted, yanking her into my side. “Because, unlike those pricks in there, I care about you, Bri. It was time to get you out of that toxic environment.”
Briana opened and closed her mouth.
“Now, since we’re in paradise, let’s go for a walk on the beach or sit by the pool,” I suggested, tightening my hold as she tried to push away. “Yes, babe, we’re going to lounge and relax. What is relaxing, you ask? It’s a state of being, where our minds empty, our muscles go limp, and we enjoy our existence at its most fundamental level.”
During my ramble, Briana tried to interrupt, but I talked over her. Finally, she gave up and...laughed.
“Oh, saints!” she exclaimed, my sister’s favorite expression clearly having rubbed off on her. “Fine. Let’s relax, then. Can we read something, though?”
“Do you have a book?” I countered, sneaking a sideways glance at her.Damn, she has a fine mouth.I wanted another taste.
Briana pursed her lips. “No.”
“We’ll send a bell boy to fetch something, then.”
“How many vacations have you been on?” Briana demanded. “That’s not how this works. It’s not his job to answer our beck and call.”
A grand total of zero vacations, suits.“We have money, which means we have power. That’s how it works.”
“You’re such an arrogant ass—”
I whipped her around, pushing her back against the wall. “Now, now! Do I need to find something to put in that dirty mouth?”
Her sharp inhale set my heart racing, and the way her gaze snagged on my lips made me feel like a wild animal. Before she could respond, I snatched her, threw her over my shoulder, and stalked into the bar area. Ignoring her squeaking protests, I gave curt nods to the staff, who were busy setting up for another influx of resort guests. A few patrons were chatting with the bartender, but the majority were off doing activities on this fabulous day—something Briana and I would be doing very soon.
