Total pages in book: 94
Estimated words: 92549 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 463(@200wpm)___ 370(@250wpm)___ 308(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 92549 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 463(@200wpm)___ 370(@250wpm)___ 308(@300wpm)
“There you are, darling.” His grip tightened, pressing me back against his solid chest. His voice a dark promise, low and smooth in my ear. “Time to finish what we started.”
CHAPTER 13
KOSTYA
"If you make a scene, the only thing you’ll accomplish will be the death of innocent people."
Her body tightened with a sharp intake of breath.
Good. That got her attention.
"Fine," she spat, all defiance laced with venom.
But I heard the hesitation beneath it, felt the war waging in her muscles.
I spun her in my grip, pressing her in front of me, my fingers settling firm on her shoulder. From a distance, we could have passed for lovers. Just another couple weaving through the train. But my fingers dug in, pressing against the delicate bones beneath her jacket.
A warning. A leash.
She moved stiffly, her breath shallow, her steps sluggish.
I nudged her forward, forcing her to keep pace.
"Where are you taking me?" Her whisper barely cut through the steady clatter of the train on the tracks.
"Somewhere more private." I let my grip tighten, fingers flexing against her. "Where we can talk."
"And if I don’t want to talk?"
I didn’t answer.
She already knew she had no choice.
We wove through the train, past drowsy passengers and bored attendants. By the time we reached the first-class sleeping cars, she had gone quiet, her hair veiling her face.
Hiding her anger?
Or her fear?
Neither would save her.
I pushed open the cabin door and shoved her inside, harder than necessary.
She stumbled forward, catching herself against the railing over the narrow upper bunk before spinning to face me, chest heaving.
I took my time sealing us in, closing the door with deliberate slowness. The soft click of the lock sliding into place sent a visible shiver over her limbs. I drew the thick curtain tight, fastening it securely.
No witnesses. No interruptions.
Just her and me.
I slid my jacket off, leaning against the door and crossed my arms over my chest, watching her. Letting her absorb the reality of her situation.
Trapped.
"What’s in New York?" I asked, my voice deceptively calm.
Her chin lifted, green eyes blazing up at me from where she’d taken a seat on the narrow lower bed with a shrug. “I hear the Statue of Liberty is fun.”
Stubborn little thing. My hands gripped the smooth metal rod as I leaned over her trembling form. “Do I look like I’m in the mood for jokes, babygirl?”
Fuck, she looked beautiful.
Fear had given a sweet rosy blush to her cheeks and animated her already wide, stunning green eyes. Her full lips parted just enough to drag in a shaking breath, drawing my gaze.
I could already picture those same full lips stretched open around the hard length of my cock as I held on tight to her hair, which was still tousled and wild from the last time I had my fist wrapped around her silky locks.
She squared her shoulders, which only served to push out her breasts; peeking through the open zipper of her jacket and the edges of her shawl, they were easily seen through the thin sweater she wore. Dammit. She shouldn’t be running through the fucking streets of Chicago at night in the middle of winter with only a thin, imitation leather jacket.
Feeling the force of my gaze, she closed the sides of her jacket while wrapping her arms over her chest. “I thought I could disappear there.”
My hand curled into a fist in my struggle to control my anger. I really fucking hated being lied to, but I especially hated hearing lies from my little rabbit’s lips. It made me want to haul her over my lap and spank the truth out of her. “Bullshit.”
She closed her eyes briefly at the sharp bark of my response. Refusing to meet my gaze, she fired back, “That’s my answer. Don’t blame me if you don’t like it.”
I snatched her chin and forced her head up. “Do you have any idea how much danger you are in right now?”
Her gaze shifted to the door behind me then back.
My mouth curved into a slow smile. I leaned in lower, my breath mingling with hers. “Go ahead. I dare you.”
Her lower lip trembled as her gaze shifted once more to the door then back.
Part of me silently encouraged her. Do it, babygirl. Give me a reason.
She lifted her head, breaking my hold. “Anyone ever tell you you’re a bully?”
“All the time.” Though usually it was more that I was a demon sent from hell to torment them, but sure, bully worked too.
She lowered her head.
If I had a heart, it would have broken at the soft, defeated sound of her sigh.
I wanted to take her into my arms and tell her that she was safe, that there was no more reason to run…but I didn’t.
It was a false promise.
She wasn’t safe with me.
I might be able to protect her from Solovyov and his intentions but in this moment, locked in this small room, she had a far more pressing danger threatening her…me.