“To a point, but she’s a very strong little girl. Plus, you did an incredible job protecting her from what was going on.”
“What a shame she can’t be just a little girl. Innocence taken far too early.”
“I assure you she enjoys being a little girl more than you might believe.” Was she questioning my parenting ability now or trying to find reasons to push me from her life?
I continued eyeing the gorgeous woman, drinking in her beauty as she nervously tossed me quick glances. We’d enjoyed pizza and ice cream, even including potato chips as my daughter had requested. I couldn’t remember a thing about the movie the two of them had selected. I’d spent the entire two hours mulled in fury and a toxic need to destroy the remaining perpetrators.
Mikhail had been right to drive me away from the near tragedy, at least for the night. I was so far on the edge my control would have been shot. The ending result would have been plagued with hours spent on a cleanup crew.
I’d fixated on the man who’d attacked her. The thought of anyone else daring to even touch her had created a surprising increase in rage.
At the same time, I thought of how much I longed to cup her perfect breasts in my hands, brushing my thumbs across her hardened nipples until she whimpered from my touch.
I craved having her sit on my face so I could taste her sweet pussy.
As I pulled the glass to my lips, I chuckled from the colorful images rolling through my fractured mind. Every Dmitriyev had a dark, sadistic side lingering in the shadows, poised to strike whenever necessary.
We also demanded control of every aspect of our lives and the people around us. That’s why when grief had taken hold, dragging me into a pitch-black abyss, I’d faltered so badly just getting up in the morning had been difficult. If I hadn’t been a new father with an infant who required constant attention, I had no doubt I would have played a game of Russian roulette and lost.
Just as I’d prayed for.
Even after time had created scabs over the bloody wounds, I’d still been a shell of a man. The moment I’d shaken hands with Lainey, a spark had been lit.
Ten seconds after I’d admitted not only the way I felt about her but also that I had no intention of letting her go, Nina had bounced into the room. Since then, Lainey had purposely tried to avoid the elephant in the room. Her attempts to ignore me had been adorable while her body had betrayed her true feelings.
Even now, she was anxious, uncertain of what to say or how to act around me.
I’d seen a side I hadn’t before, a wildcat tired of being caged. She’d lashed out, although in a very controlled manner. I had a feeling I’d see more of her spunk. It would seem she was finished with being told what to do.
Including by me.
If I wasn’t careful, the little butterfly would spread her wings and fly away. One misstep and we’d both be pulled into an even more damning abyss. She inhaled sharply, her composure slipping for the first time.
Perhaps she’d expected I’d say something to her, engage her in our earlier conversation. In my mind there was nothing left to talk about. Perhaps that made me selfish. Perhaps that made me realistic. I couldn’t forget we’d just been attacked, a declaration of war.
I’d find a way to deal with my return to the dark predator lurking deep inside in the morning. Decisions would need to be made including a temporary living space.
But for tonight, I was ready to shove it all aside. One glorious night of pretending I wasn’t the son of a former powerful Bratva leader who’d amassed as many enemies as friends.
She darted another quick look in my direction. “It’s been a very long day. I’m going to take a shower. Enjoy the rest of your evening.”
Was there another slight hesitation? Yes, there was, but her resolve in trying to block out her feelings was winning the battle. I couldn’t blame her.
She’d dismissed me, her words a clear indication she had every intention of sleeping in the bed with Nina. Or perhaps she was telling me in no uncertain terms I’d spend the night on the couch.
I had no such intentions.
After she left the room, I closed my eyes, rolling the cool glass from one side of my jaw to the other. The word infuriating returned. While I didn’t see her as a game player, this felt a little like cat and mouse.
What a shame I couldn’t distinguish who was who.
A few minutes later, I swilled down the remainder of my Beluga vodka before standing. After taking a quick look out the window toward the bright lights of Las Vegas, I thumped my glass onto a table and left the room.
Tonight she’d learn that I rarely made statements I didn’t back up with actions. What I’d told her hadn’t just been done in the heat of the moment.
Not only did I want her.
I needed her.
