Her entire sex tingled, and she held her breath as the feelings expanded and pulsed, then leaped outward, darting down her legs and up her torso.Even her breasts prickled as the lightning spasms overwhelmed and seduced her.She groaned, gripping Mikhail’s shoulders as an anchor.She writhed in pleasure, and Mikhail shouted as he rocked his pelvis forward.He remained embedded in her, his cock throbbing.Edwina gave him a sleepy smile but tensed when a sharp pain struck her deep inside.Her breath whooshed out, and Mikhail gave a startled grunt.
“Hell,” Mikhail muttered and gave his hips an experimental twist.His gaze darted to her, his expression thoughtful.“We seem to be attached.”
“How?”The tug had felt strange, and now the initial sharp pain had subsided she craved sleep.Her eyes closed, and she tried to open them again.They immediately closed.
“It’s nothing bad,” he said, although he didn’t sound confident.“I’ve heard of this happening, but it never has to me.Go to sleep, little one.”
12
Earlythenextmorning,Mikhail held a sleeping Edwina in his arms, his mind racing for answers.Why had she marked him when she hadn’t wanted to marry him?Fear had stopped him from asking questions, from letting his hopes rise.He’d known she was his mate, but given the circumstances of their marriage, he didn’t feel he had the right to claim her when she’d had plans that meant so much to her.
And now—now she might be in danger because of him.
He could send her home and collect her once he resolved this mess.That might work.He’d have to sneak her out of the country…
He’d need someone trustworthy to go with her.Mikhail cursed softly because neither Ivan nor Gregory would willingly leave while he was in danger.
“Your brain must be overheating,” a soft voice mumbled.
“I thought you were asleep.”
“Your thoughts are deafening.”
Mikhail chuffed out his humor.This slip of a girl made him laugh.She challenged him, unafraid to stand up to him.She was perfect.
“You might be safer if I sent you home to your Middlemarch.”
“No.”Edwina glowered at him.“No, that’s not happening.”
“Take up your university place.”
“No, not with what is happening here.I refuse to act the selfish wife who thinks of only herself.I can help you.”
Mikhail’s brows rose.“How?”
“I’ve already suggested a meeting with this Konstantine Smirnoff.Some place neutral.Maybe dinner in a hotel restaurant or something like that.Call him this morning and organize the meeting at short notice.Don’t give him time to organize his people.If he argues, tell him it’s for your safety and his.”
“I’m not interested in returning to that lifestyle.I saw what it did to my father, my mother.”
“I understand.Perhaps you need to tell him that to his face.Tell Konstantine your reasons for rejecting his offer.”
Mikhail finally uttered the thing that had haunted him for months.“If I don’t do what he wants, he’ll destroy everything I care for and value.My remaining family.My business and employees.”He paused.“You.”
“There must be some way to stop him.”She frowned but reminded him of a tousled angel with loose hair and naked breasts.She didn’t understand the tempting picture she made—all pink and bare, with her serious expression.“You mentioned your businesses have had problems.”
“Yes.And when Konstantine dies, and his son takes over, the problems will intensify.His son will want to prove a point.”
“That’s he’s a worthy successor?”
“Yeah.”
“What about relocating?”
“I considered this, but my employees are settled here with their families.They rely on their wages, and I couldn’t throw them to the Bratva.”
“Put a hit out on them,” Edwina said.“On the father and son.Do it when you’re out of the country or in another town.At a function with dozens of witnesses.”
Mikhail’s mouth dropped open, and he pressed his lips together to halt his gaping.“A hit?”
