Chapter 8
Konstantin
“I’m going with you.” Blair said with conviction, heading after me through the window in an “inconspicuous” corseted white lace dress, a veil perched on the edge of her crown, and black heeled boots.
Which contrasted against my black ribbed shirt, blue jeans, and boots she had gotten me from a donation event.
I drew my arm out, halting by her waist. The small moment of touch chafed a frenzy beneath my fingers, craving more of her skin. “Like hell you are.” I grated out.
She took precisely five steps back, making sure there was distance between us.
There wasn’t ever a time I thought I would reject having a woman— especially one so intoxicatingly beautiful— by my side.
But this was the exception.
It was difficult to deny her anything, but I couldn’t drag her into any more of my problems. If I did, she would become a target.
And with all the shitload on her plate, I refused to add more.
Especially when I’d received word via the messenger bird to show up tonight at midnight at a secret location a few days ago.
“You don’t even know the city!” she exclaimed, throwing her arms up. “What if you get lost? Hurt? Or worse?”
Like what shot? Bruised? Killed?
Oh please.
Wait a sec.
Oh, was that what this was about? She was worried about me.
Satisfaction charged at my chest, elated at the fact I was somewhat on her mind, just like she was etched into my mind. Unable to get rid of her. Forever attached.
And then she can never escape from us.
A smirk forged its way onto my face. “Aw, are you worried for me, kotyonok?”
Her eyes widened; my question caught her off guard as she clicked her teeth and wrinkled her nose. She tended to do that lately, especially when annoyed. What a cute thing to do.
“Fine, go die! See if I care, bastard.” She slipped up on the last part, turned around, and went on to repeat a Hail Mary.
“Well, what are you waiting for, Superman? Go!” She waved me off nonchalantly. “Clearly, you don’t need anyone, so on your merry way.”
She was so petty, but fuck, did it turn me on.
Some part of a mental simulation got to me.
Something about her that wrapped me up in her fingertips, toying with me like a puppet.
And usually I was the one manipulating people.
“Blair, it’s not like that. However, this doesn’t involve you.” Logically, arguing so she knew it wasn’t anything personal I had against her.
“I understand, but you need help. You said yourself you don’t have any allies left, so that leaves you with pretty old me.”
I ran my hand over my chin. “God, you’re stubborn, woman.”
“Don’t you love it, sweetheart?” Her little tone became sarcastic and flirtatious as she winked at me. Something gripped inside my sternum. “Now, where are we going?” She folded her hands in front of her.
She really couldn’t grasp the concept of “no.”
I bet the woman never heard it in her life.
Well, it would be difficult to deny her anything.
“You, nowhere. So stay put,” she groaned frustratedly, slapping her hands on her thighs. “Now, if I’m in danger, you’ll be the first to know.”
“How?”
Lifting the window up and strategically slipping one leg, then the other, out until my entire body was on the outside of the monastery.
Night had fallen around, engulfing me in darkness.
Standing tall, I faced her as she approached the window steadily, her thick dark lashes fluttering up to me.
“You’ll see me in cuffs and on the news, kotyonok. ” I said, grinning.
“Haha,” she mocked a laugh and narrowed her eyes annoyed, but there was a glint of something more cautious, more weary. “Smartass.”
She could fight all she wanted, but the decision was made. And just like the beauty she was, she would keep her hands clean and leave the dirty work to me.
“Don’t wait up for me. Alright?”
She tilted her face to the side, silent as she folded her arms.
Now we can’t have that.
She needs to listen, and she will.
Thoughts?
You’ll see.
“Okay?” I questioned again, my voice an edge lower. More dangerous. Dya had taken the reins of my body.
Blair continued to ignore me.
Though not for long, as I extended my hand, a tremble shot through them as I wrapped it around her neck. A breath escaped her parted lips as her gaze trailed back to mine.
“When I ask, you speak, kotyonok. Understood?”
Her pulse spiked beneath my fingertips.
The unaware control created by a single touch made the air burn. Our skin chased the madness. A fine line between forbidden pleasure and promised pain. Heaven and hell.
She moved, attempting to escape, but my grip hardened. Her chin lifted, steel fire sparked in her eyes, never backing down from my warning as she dug her nails into my stomach, drawing some blood from the pores.
“Don’t.”
“Don’t what?”
“Don’t try to control me, or I’ll slit your throat next time.”
“A little kitten like you? Please.” A dark chuckle slipped through my lips. “Don’t bite off more than you can chew. Know your place.”
“And you know yours. An eye for an eye, Konstantin, and I’ll take your fucking heart if I have to.” She snarled, eyes reddened with a sublayer of rage.
The cavity in my chest lurched.
Fuck. How can I resist her when she edges me on like this? Let her take me and make me hers.
This is going too far.
Not far enough.
My thumb inches upward, running over her bottom lip. Tempting fate. “Never forget your life is mine too. You can run, but you will never escape me. Heaven or hell will be too close to separate us.”
Second lingered like a cruel sentence; miraculously and strangely, she waved the white flag. “Okay.” She gritted forcibly.
And just in case she got any ideas, I began, “And if you don’t keep your promise—“
“What will you do?” Her velvety voice incited, sending a hot surge through my groin.
“Make you lose your mind.”
“Promise?”
Damn, her limits had no boundaries. She was unwilling to bend, and that made her even more perfect somehow.
Her madness matched my insanity.
The wind to my flames.
And we would burn the world if we didn’t stop.