Chapter 8 #2
Wait. Did he actually say I was coming with him, as in the man was kidnapping me?
I took a step farther away, scanning the alley in hopes someone else was paying attention.
With the noise coming from the surrounding clubs, I doubted anyone would hear me if I screamed.
And the odds of anyone caring what was happening in a dark alley late at night in New York City were slim to nil.
That left few options.
“I’m not part of this, Mr. Chertov. In fact, I don’t care what this is about. You can go play with your toy soldiers all you want. I’m going home.” I backed away, concerned he might charge me as he’d done with one of the terrible men who’d brandished a gun.
He remained in position, the only movement from the light breeze tousling his already messed-up thick hair. I was used to seeing every inch utter perfection, not a hair out of place. If he didn’t carry such an aura of danger, he could almost appear approachable.
But I certainly knew what he was capable of.
I kept walking backwards for another few yards until I was convinced he would let me go. Then I spun around and took the chance, running toward the end of the alley. Why did I think that he would let me get away or that my heels wouldn’t prevent me from making good time?
When I looked back, I noticed him scooping up the knife and pocketing it. Every movement calm, no need to hurry.
His mannerisms reminded me of a vampire, silent yet deadly.
While my crazy fantasies about the man had gravitated toward the ominous sense of him being a predator in disguise, I’d seen that in action already.
And I felt it now as another wave of goosebumps swept down both arms. His presence wasn’t just electrifying.
It was sensuously deadly.
He was suddenly right behind me then easily cutting me off.
While he didn’t grab my arm or throw me against a wall like one of the men from earlier, he didn’t need to.
He appeared in front of me, his jacket open and his hands in his pockets.
“I’m only going to say this one more time, Saige. You are coming with me.”
“What are you going to do with me, throw me in the Hudson River?”
Twice I’d caught him smiling. Obviously, the fact my body was trembling and my voice was wavering amused him.
The bastard. Maybe I should openly call him that to his face.
“Now, what good would hurting you do? I’m trying to keep you safe.
I don’t know what those men wanted and I will guess you don’t either. Or am I wrong about that?”
“How could I know what they want?”
“The fact you took a job in a private fight club might be an indication you’re much more than you appear to be.”
“Like what?” I tossed out. “Some chick who gets off on seeing a man beaten to death?”
“I assure you he wasn’t innocent. However, you had to know what you were getting yourself involved with. There are some very dangerous people in this world.”
“You mean you?”
Now he was getting annoyed. “This isn’t a game.”
“No, it’s not. I had no idea what I was getting in the middle of.
I was doing a favor for a friend of mine.
She had a date tonight she really wanted to go on and mentioned that her boss wouldn’t take kindly to her not providing a replacement.
Now, I know why.” I glanced around me, even looking up at the tall buildings.
I was all alone. With this man. With this…
far too sexy man. Damn him. “I’m not part of this world, Mr. Chertov. I assure you I won’t be back.”
“Unfortunately, certain things have been taken out of your hands. Now, you can either come with me willingly or I’ll take you with me. It’s your choice, but you are getting in my car and we’re leaving.”
While I’d heard an edge to his voice before, it wasn’t like this. The brusque tone and deep baritone held a different meaning than him being frustrated with a report. Or another employee. What choice did I have? At least I had my phone with me. Unless he was planning on taking it from me.
“Fine. I’ll come with you, but you are not keeping me prisoner. That’s not… acceptable.”
“Acceptable? I guess we will see.” His tailored suit was strained across biceps that were products of his fighting ability. Never mind the rest of him. He motioned toward the end of the alley, waiting until I took the lead.
He still didn’t touch me, but he didn’t need to. I was close to jumping out of my skin.
When we reached the car, he was a gentleman and walked toward the passenger side, opening the door for me. In easing closer to the opening, I was pushed next to him since he wasn’t interested in moving. As had occurred when I’d been inches away after the shooting, the heat between us was excessive.
Enough that I had trouble breathing.
He peered down at me with hooded, wolfish eyes, both appearing as iridescent shimmers in the closest streetlight. Even the moonlight cast a silvery hue to the few gray hairs at his temples.
Tonight he appeared just as I’d thought of him in my dreams.
As a predator.
His muscular chest rose and fell more than I was used to seeing and it wasn’t about exertion.
As soon as I climbed in, he waited until I had my seatbelt in place before leaning over.
“I believe I need to make this very clear to you, Saige. As of tonight, I own you, at least in the sense of your full loyalty. And I won’t accept anything less. ”
He wasn’t interested in hearing what I had to say about his proclamation, closing the door while never taking his eyes off me. Once I was inside and closed off from the rest of the world, the entire experience hit me, a sledgehammer of emotions and thoughts that had me holding my stomach.
In watching him cautiously moving around to the driver’s side, I could tell he’d scanned the area while keeping his hand on his weapon.
He stood at the outside corner, pulling out his cellphone.
Within three seconds he was talking to someone.
While he wasn’t any more animated in his phone conversations, his expression was full of rage.
The lines around his eyes were deeper, his lips pursed, and the thick cords on both sides of his neck were more expressive.
The discussion didn’t last long. He shoved the phone into his jacket pocket and advanced all while continually scanning the street.
By the point he climbed inside, I was fighting laughter instead of tears.
As he started the engine, he tilted his head so he could look me in the eyes. When he raised his eyebrows, I pressed my hand across my mouth to stifle the laughter.
“I guess the assumptions made about you were correct.”
“You have me curious. By whom?”
“All the women I work with. Half think you’re some terrible criminal while the other half believe the dangerous aura you wear is sexy.”
He drove away, pressing down the accelerator and weaving around traffic as if there was no one on the road.
“Did you notice you blew through a red light?” I craned my neck to look over my shoulder, shocked we hadn’t gotten into an accident.
“I have to ensure no one is following us.”
“And?”
“It appears we are in the clear, but I’ll know for certain in a few minutes.”
I leaned back into the leather seat, my heart thumping more than before.
Being around him made me nervous, but not because I feared him or what he would do.
Instead, the anxiety, which seemed to be increasing with every passing minute, was because of the electric charge jolting my system and the wetness pooling between my legs.
Even clenching my thighs together didn’t seem to help. When I squirmed in my seat, I felt his heated gaze all over again. Just like the first night. Just like… Why was I doing that to myself?
“You can relax, Saige. I really am not planning on hurting you.” Why was it that his accent seemed heavier tonight, sexier in a way that was as unnerving as everything else about him?
I had a sudden craving to hear him pronounce anything. Just to be gifted with hearing his accent.
“How comforting to hear.” My words sounded strangled again. He was still driving like a crazy man or a bat out of hell, coming close to exceeding the speed limit and certainly the laws of safety.
He was an expert driver, never screeching tires as he rounded the corners as if riding on rails.
When he made a sudden turn onto a side street, slowing quickly then stopping and jerking to a parking space against a curb, I thought I’d have whiplash.
However, his practiced maneuvers had left me breathless with continued excitement. This wasn’t normal.
“What are we doing here?” I asked, although my tone was more demanding than it likely should be.
“We’re going for a drink. I have a feeling you need one.” He popped his seatbelt and I flinched.
Yes, I did need a drink, but not with him. Try a gallon of tequila all by myself behind locked doors.
When he leaned over, I sucked in my breath. His face was only inches from mine, his scalding breath tickling my cheek. If I turned my head, we could be kissing. “Which one are you?”
“What?”
“Team I’m a criminal or team I’m fuckable?” His laugh was surprising. He was having fun with my utter discomfort.
“I say mostly you’re an asshole. Although I can see why almost every woman who works in the building calls you a wolf.”
“A wolf.”
“Yes, because you’re a predator.”
My answer surprised the hell out of him. I was out of the car before he had a chance to challenge me.
But I stood right where I was, trying to get my bearings. I honestly had never been to the area, but I knew it was only a few miles from where I lived. Not that I could make it there on foot. I did have the cash to grab a cab. Hmm…
“I can’t go into a bar looking like this.” The sudden awareness of what I was wearing and that I’d left my coat at the club hit me. Much like everything else had done.
“Mmm…” Without hesitation, he moved to the trunk, opening it and grabbing something. “Put this on. Let me help you.” He held it out and I stood where I was.