He rolls us over, propping himself up to look at me. "Then don't."
"It's not that easy."
"Why not?"
"Because this is insane. Because you kidnapped me. Because we barely know each other."
"And yet here you are. Saying you don't want to leave." He brushes my hair back from my face. "Stay with me, Jemma. After Christmas. Come back to Vancouver with me. Move into my penthouse."
"You can't just keep me."
"Watch me." He's serious. Completely serious. "I told you I'm keeping you. I meant it. You're mine now. And I take care of what's mine."
I should argue. Should tell him he's insane.
Instead, I pull him down for another kiss.
"Ask me again on Christmas," I whisper.
"I'll ask you every day until you say yes."
And looking into his eyes, I believe him.
This is insane.
But maybe insane is exactly what I need.
5
Konstantin
The house is full of activity. Baking, wrapping presents, endless conversations in Russian and English blending together. Christmas music plays from every room. The smell of cinnamon and pine is everywhere.
I'm stuck on a business call in Dimitri's office, dealing with a shipment problem that should have been handled yesterday.
"I don't care about the weather," I tell Mikhail, keeping my voice low. "Find another route. Handle it."
"Boss, the roads are—"
"Not my problem. Make it work."
I end the call and lean back in the chair. Being pakhan doesn't stop for holidays. It doesn't stop for family gatherings or Christmas or the fact that I have the woman I've been obsessing over for eleven months sleeping in my bed.
There's a soft knock on the door.
"Come in."
Jemma pokes her head in, looking uncertain. "Sorry. Your mom said you were in here. I can come back."
"No." I stand immediately. "Come in. Please."
She slips inside and closes the door. Her hair is down, slightly messy, and I want to bury my hands in it.
"Everything okay?" she asks.
"Work. Nothing important."
"You run a criminal empire. I'm pretty sure it's all important."
