Chapter 30
Ican’t think straight.
Everything has now changed.
Those were his words, and he is not wrong. Everything has changed because now I’m freaking terrified. Somebody I met was murdered because of my visit. I am freaking out right now and I feel so responsible. A Russian assassin is following a trail I am walking on behind him and what if he turns around and decides I’m next? It’s a possibility and I am so far out of my depth I’m drowning.
Valentin told me I wasn’t on my own anymore. For now, sure, but what happens when he grows tired or decides he has what he needs? I’ll be alone then and this Nikolai character may decide I’m better off joining my aunt because all the time I know his name, I’m not safe.
As soon as I reached my room, I changed into sweatpants and a sweatshirt andtried to use my skincare regime to distract my mind from the events that have unfolded. There is no fancy lingerie on me tonight. Not anymore. Any idea I had about spending it wrapped in Valentin’s arms went on the answer of a cell phone. I am doomed. I really believe that and I’m not being overly dramatic because a woman was murdered because of me.
I even contemplate calling the police and telling them everything. Surely, they can protect me better than Valentin and his men. I could be part of the witness protection program and be re-housed. My assets will be frozen and I’ll live life on the run.
Trust me to become an heiress to millions and spend the rest of my life running from them. That wasn’t the idea at all.
I pace the room and consider every option and when the door opens, I almost jump out of my skin.
“It’s me, Polly.” The soft reassuring tones of the man I really need right now cause me to race into his outstretched arms, sobbing with relief.
“What’s this?” He says softly as he holds me close and I sob, “I murdered someone today. It’s all my fault.”
He pulls back and stares at me with an amused grin that doesn’t help at all.
As he brushes my tears away with his thumb, he smiles. “You never murdered anyone, Polly. I doubt you could even kill a spider.”
I shiver at the mention of those despicable creatures, but realize he is right.
“But she died because we asked for the key.”
“No.” He strokes my face with a gentle touch and says reassuringly, “She died because she trusted the wrong man.”
“What do you think happened?” I can’t imagine how she even knew him, and Valentin steers me across to the bed and sits down beside me.
“She was an easy target. It’s not uncommon.”
“What isn’t?”
“He wanted access to your aunt’s house to look for something, either information or an object. I still haven’t figured out what.”
“Do you think he found it?” I really hope so because then he will move on and Valentin shrugs.
“I’m not sure. His next movements will tell us, but he probably met the maid in a targeted meeting and charmed her into trusting him.”
“How?”
I doubt I’d be so trusting and Valentin says gently, “It happens. She won’t have stood a chance. He will have appealed to her in every way and earned her trust. I’m guessing he knew she worked for Samantha and had access to Thorn House. It was obviously his way of getting inside without being detected.”
“But why kill her? I don’t understand.”
“Because she was a loose end that needed tying up. She obviously went to him, afraid of losing her job. Perhaps she stole the key, and she needed to replace it.”
“You mean he could have come in at any time and murdered us, too?” My eyes widen and Valentin shakes his head.
“Not with us there. He wouldn’t dare and that’s unfortunate.”
“What is?”
I’m confused, and he sighs heavily.
“Now he knows I’m here with you it will make him more desperate. I don’t believe he found what he was looking for and he will be angry that we are so close behind him. He had to dispose of Justine because she could have led us to him. I expect he’s hoping we didn’t discover he’s here because then he’ll know his cover has been blown.”
“Let’s hope so.”
I shiver and Valentin holds me closer, and it’s good knowing he is here.
“Your meeting tomorrow.”
I glance up and the darkness in his eyes burns brightly as he huffs, “You must meet her and discover her intentions. Don’t question them, play the innocent and don’t let on you know anything at all.”
“I don’t.”
My concern is growing, and he smiles. “You know more than they would like, so it’s imperative you act dumb.”
“That shouldn’t be too hard.” I sigh and a shiver passes through me as he takes my hand and laces his fingers with mine.
“We will solve this mystery, Polly, and you will be safe.”
“Keep telling yourself that, Valentin.”
I have no faith in this at all while there is a murderer loose who may be coming for me next and I’m surprised when Valentin tilts my face to his and whispers in a deep voice, “I won’t let anything happen to you, Polly, even if I must keep you by my side for eternity.”
“That’s a long time?” I stare at him in shock and his eyes glitter as he whispers, “The longer, the better.”
As he kisses me, my heart races at his words. What does that mean? Will I ever be free of him? Do I want to be?
For some reason, his words have chased the demons away and left hope in their place. Will he honor that and never leave? Is he just saying it to reassure me so I cooperate with him, or is there a chance this may work after all?
Despite my fear, I can think of nothing but him when he is around. He consumes my mind, my heart, and my body. I want him whenever he throws his lusty gaze in my direction, and this is no exception.
He lifts my sweatshirt over my head and growls his appreciation that I’m naked underneath. My hands push under his shirt and touch a body I will never tire of. Despite my fear, I am unraveling with a different emotion this time. I want him so badly I shove aside the bad thoughts and focus on the good ones.
He is still here and I am in his arms. It’s all I want, more than anything right now, and as his kiss deepens and he pushes me back on the bed, he pulls my sweatpants off with an impatient hiss.
I watch in heated anticipation as he removes his own pants and as he stares at my body with the expression a man who takes what he wants, I shiver in anticipation.
He traps me between his arms and stares deep into my eyes and whispers huskily, “I’m going to practice what I’ll do to you in the restaurant in New York.”
“Okay.” I smile shyly and he grins, dipping his head to my neck and licking a trail up to my face.
“You taste good, malyshka.”
“What are you tasting?”
I play along and he replies, “Sweet strawberries.”
“I like strawberries.” I shiver as he moves further down and sucks a nipple into his mouth and, as his tongue circles it, he groans his appreciation.
“Now you taste different. Chocolate, I think.”
“Milk or plain?” I gasp as he turns his attention to the other one.
“Never plain with you, Polly. Soft, sweet velvet luxury, my own brand of decadence.”
I moan as he licks a path to my clit and swipes his tongue around it and then says gruffly, “A soft center by the taste of it. Sticky delight, pure fucking honey on my tongue.”
“Oh, fuck, Valentin, this is torturous.” I moan as he flicks my clit with his tongue and my legs spread open, begging him inside.
His thumb caresses my sodden clit, and he says softly, “This dish is ready.”
“It didn’t take long.” I gasp as his cock hovers at my entrance and I am desperate to feel it inside me, knowing for the shortest time he will be mine and only mine.
He pushes in and my eyes roll back in my head as I savor every minute of him. I love how he stretches me, how he dives deep inside as if he has every right to be there. When Valentin fucks me, the world stops and time takes a breath because nothing else matters more than the moment he is mine.
He grips my face in his hand and says roughly, “Watch me dominate your body, Polly. Look at the man who owns it now.”
My eyes flicker open and I should be very afraid of what I see reflected in them, because there is a possessive fury that tells me he’s not wrong. He does own me. He is proving that now because there is nothing or nobody in my life who compares to him. He is the dark knight in my fairy tale who I am hoping can save me from the dragon. Will he succeed? I wouldn’t put money on his failing and as he rips the orgasm from inside me with brutal force, I stare into the eyes of the devil as he claims my soul.