Dammit. I couldn’t just keep my mouth shut. It’s something I’m still trying to learn.
I might have put my foot in it now. This guy is pretty powerful in the city, and definitely someone my brother wanted to form an alliance with. I bite my lower lip, shifting my weight from side to side, wishing I hadn’t said anything. But at the same time, I’m proud of myself for not letting this slimy moron walk all over me.
He narrows his eyes at me, his mouth pulled tight for a second.Dammit.I pissed him off.
Or perhaps not. One corner of his mouth curves upwards. Now he looks more amused than offended.
The asshole takes a step closer to me and slips his damn hand around me again.
“You know, I do like them feisty.”
I want to gag.
So, now I’m some kind of challenge for him? Has he no shame at all?
Seeing as Artur clearly has no intention of stopping the constant onslaught, I decide to make my second escape attempt of the evening. “Please, excuse me, I need to use the ladies’ room,” I say with a cold smile, removing myself from his grasp.
“Hurry back.”
“I’ll tell your wife I say hi,” I mutter under my breath as I hurry away from him. My skin feels icky, like I want to take a shower after standing too close to that creepy idiot.
Desperate for fresh air and not to be walled in by other people, I head over to the balcony, relieved when I find it empty. Obviously, the chilly autumn air isn’t for everyone. For me, it’s a fair trade-off for some time alone.
Leaning against the edge of the stone balustrade, I stare down at the city lights. A fresh, icy breeze brushes over my arms and across my chest.
A cold shiver runs down my spine, making me feel alive and free after being trapped inside that party all night. I know tonight means a lot to Artur, but I just wish it were over.
My family has been in chaos since Uncle Boris died. Half of them are excited about our new role in the Bratva world; the other half are skeptical. Sure, we’re rich now. We don’t ever have to worry about money or needing or wanting for anything, but with that comes a huge burden. How involved do we need to be? What are we going to have to do to hold on to this position? Our lives are in danger now, because with power comes enemies, too, and our freedom has been limited.
I mean, it’s not like Boris died of natural causes.
Artur hadn’t been in touch with Uncle Boris for ages. He always knew he would take over one day, but I guess we didn’t expect it to be this soon.
So, yes, my family is divided at the moment, and I’m tired of the arguments.
And I’m definitely tired of playing nice at this party.
With a heavy sigh, I lean forward, looking further over the edge of the balcony, feeling a rush of excitement at the thrill of it.
“Don’t jump. The party isn’t that bad.” His voice runs over me like dark, rich caramel. The low chuckle that rumbles through him immediately pushes a smile onto my face. I don’t turn to face him, because for some reason my heart is racing, and I don’t want him to see that I’m pleased he found me again—the stranger from earlier who helped me calm down after I escaped that old guy who was practically pushing me against a wall.
“If it’s not that bad, why are you out on the balcony?” I ask, amusement touching my voice.
“I saw a really beautiful girl come out here. I came to find her, maybe finish the conversation we started earlier…have you seen her anywhere?”
I turn to face him, and he’s searching the rest of the very empty balcony. His mouth pulls down at the corners behind his black satin mask. “So strange, I could have sworn I saw her coming out here.”
The giggle slips through my lips easily.
Standing with my back to the ledge, leaning my ass against the balustrade, I tilt my head to the side and fold my arms over each other to try and fight the cold as I study the tall, handsome stranger.
He’s much taller than I; his broad shoulders and muscular physique make him imposing and give him a dangerous aura. His hair is as dark as the mask he’s wearing, and he has a strong, angular jaw shadowed with the lightest touch of black stubble.
His suit was clearly sculpted for his perfect body, fitting him like it was stitched onto him.
I bite my lip, my body spiking with adrenaline as an image flashes through my mind of his arms wrapping around me.
Wow, Katerina. Spend all night escaping pervs, and now you’re the perv.
