“She has,” Aleksei murmurs, that irritating grin curling across his face…and God, my stomach flips for all the wrong reasons.
This is all wrong. Every part of it.
“All I’m asking is that you hear him out.” Mom runs a hand down her face, every inch of her tight with exhaustion. “If you don’t like what he says, then… Then that’s that.”
But we both know what she means.
If I say no, we lose everything. The vineyard. Their legacy. The only life they’ve ever known.
How the hell am I supposed to let that happen? But how am I supposed to accept help from Aleksei Marinov?
My eyes drag back to his, which are full of some unreadable intensity that makes my skin prickle. I turn, unable to handle the way he’s looking at me like he’s already won. Instead, I focus on the two people who raised me. Who gave me everything. Who are now drowning, and he knows it.
He came here because they’re desperate and he knew I’d want to help.
Is that why he took Wesley?
Not because of what Wesley did to me…but because he wanted to hurt me through my parents? Is this all just another game?
“I’m not here to cause trouble,” Aleksei says calmly, eyes fixed on me.
That’s because youaretrouble.
“I’m only asking for a moment of your time. A simple conversation. We can walk the grounds if you’d prefer some privacy. Then you’re free to say no.”
God, I want to scream. But talking in privateisa good idea. I don’t want my parents to be here when I tell him to fuck right off if he thinks I’ll allow him to hurt them.
“Fine.” My gaze flicks to my parents. “I’ll be back.”
“Okay, honey.” Mom tries for a smile, but it wavers. “We’ll be here.”
And my father…still won’t look at me. Now I know why.
Aleksei moves ahead to open the door, his arm sweeping wide like it’s some kind of courtesy. I step through, and he falls in beside me, close enough for the air between us to tighten. His cologne drifts over, woodsy and clean, and to my disgust, it stirs something in me. A dangerous kind of comfort.
The sun has climbed higher, but the warmth doesn’t reach me. Not with him beside me. I swear, I can’t escape this man no matter what I do.
His arm slides around my waist and drags me against him as we round the corner past the tasting patio, while his voice dips low, a slow rasp that curls along my skin. “It’s been too long since I’ve had you this close. Have you missed me the way I’ve missed you?”
“I actually forgot you existed.”
He laughs under his breath, turning me to face him with a smooth twist.
“Liar.” His fingers catch my chin, tilting it up until his mouth lowers, hovering a breath from mine. “I know exactly how wet you get when you’re fighting me. And I like it a little too much.”
So do I.
No. Stop that!
“My parents could be watching.” I try to shove him off, but he doesn’t budge.
“Let them.” His lips graze my ear, setting my nerves alight. “They should get used to seeing me right where I belong.”
I close my eyes, forcing a breath into my lungs before I push at his chest. “Cut the act, Marinov. Why are you here? Is this another one of your games? Because I swear to God, if you so much as think about hurting my parents?—”
His laugh is dry, almost cruel, and he finally lets me go. He strolls toward one of the patio chairs, moving with a calmness that makes my stomach knot. The patio’s empty; it’s too early for guests. Thankfully.
He pulls a chair out for me as if we’re at a polite lunch, not a hostage negotiation. Against my better judgment, I sit.
