Total pages in book: 79
Estimated words: 76820 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 384(@200wpm)___ 307(@250wpm)___ 256(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 76820 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 384(@200wpm)___ 307(@250wpm)___ 256(@300wpm)
She tries to turn her head, whimpering, “Don’t.”
Our rushing breaths mingle. Every muscle in my body strains, begging me to forsake my humanity and take what I want.
“Please,” she begs with a trembling voice. “I won’t survive the guilt.”
The powerful emotions I feel for this woman force me to let go of her. It takes all my strength to walk away from her.
A crack starts to form right down the middle of my heart when I stalk out the front door.
“Stay here,” I order Joseph and my other men.
I climb into one of the SUVs, and starting the engine, I speed out of the property and away from the woman that’s crawled so deep beneath my skin, I’ll never be able to get her out.
Blindly, I drive to Luca and Mariya’s place, and when the elevator opens to their penthouse suite, I stalk inside.
Luca’s guards must’ve notified him that I’m here because my friend comes rushing down the stairs. “What’s wrong?”
“I need to crash here tonight. You can’t let me leave.”
Worry tightens his features as he comes to stand in front of me. “Why? Who do you want to kill?”
I shake my head. “I can’t be near Rosalie until I’ve calmed down.”
Understanding flashes over his face.
“What happened?” Mariya asks as she comes down the stairs.
Glancing between my little sister and best friend, I shake my head.
It feels like I’ve already lost Rosalie.
You never had her.
Frustrated, I shove a hand through my hair and walk to Luca’s alcohol cabinet. I grab a bottle of vodka, and not bothering with a glass, I pour the liquid down my throat.
Mariya comes to place a hand on my back, giving me a concerned look. “Hey, talk to me.”
I shake my head again and stalk to the stairs. “Carry on with your day. I’ll be in one of the guestrooms.”
I take the first room and shut the door behind me. Pouring more vodka down my throat, I’m desperate for the liquor to lessen the pain that’s tearing through my heart.
I thought I’d be able to make her fall for me.
I thought, with time, Rosalie could forgive me.
I was wrong.
Christ.
Every single memory of her is ingrained into my mind. Her rare smiles. Her even scarcer laughter.
How beautiful she looks in a dress.
The love shining from her whenever she looks at Luna.
The way her breathing speeds up when I touch her. At first, it was from fear, but over the passing months, it became desire.
I refuse to admit how I feel about Rosalie. I can’t think the words, never mind say them. If I do, I’ll go back on my word and keep her forever.
And I can’t do that to Rosalie.
I can’t be selfish with her.
Just like every other day during the past three years, I have to put Rosalie first. I have to do what’s best for her.
And I’m not it.
I’ll always be a reminder of what she lost – what the Priesthood took from her.
Chapter 15
Rosalie
I’m worried out of my mind, which only makes my guilt so much worse.
Viktor hasn’t been home in five days, and I’m contemplating walking to his parents' house to ask if he’s okay.
These people are nothing to you. They belong to the bratva, Rosalie.
Just two more days, then you’ll finally get to leave.
If you show you care, Viktor won’t let you go.
Stay strong.
For Grandpa.
For Uncle Ricco.
You don’t feel anything for Viktor. These emotions are nothing more than Stockholm syndrome.
Instead of thinking about Viktor, I should worry about my future. I’ll need to find a place to stay and a job.
Luna licks my hand to get my attention, and I ruffle the fur on her head. “Hey, girl. Do you want to go inside and take a nap?”
She sits up straight and tilts her head as if to say yes.
“Yeah, it’s hot today.”
I walk back into the house and shut the door so none of the cool air from the AC will escape.
When we enter the bedroom, Luna jumps onto the bed and lies down on her side. I kick off my shoes, then take a pair of shorts from my closet.
It’s way too hot to sleep in jeans.
After dragging on the shorts, I crawl onto the bed and lie down. I stare at Luna as my thoughts turn to the incident between Viktor and me.
It was the first time he kissed me.
God, it was hard to pull away.
When his lips slammed into mine, I almost dissolved into a puddle of hormones.
It was also the first time I saw the desperation in Viktor’s eyes. He’s always been calm and collected, never losing control.
It makes me worry how we’ll get through the last two days. I’m not sure I can keep pushing him away.
I’m not that strong. Especially not when I see the heartache in his eyes.
Life is so unfair.
If it weren’t for the fact that he’s the head of the bratva and part of the Priesthood, we could be together.