That doesn’t mean I am not furious at him enough to pummel his face in. I could have all of that if it weren’t for the promise he made me swear once he saw how close we were whenI brought Dahlia back. Overcome with guilt, I rushed to vow I’d never touch her. Never be more than another brother to her. I never thought that oath would come to be my downfall—my biggest regret. If I am a king, it’s the king of regret.
That breaking my word could cost me my life. But fuck, I returned from a horrific event that thrust me onto a completely different road.
I had to seize power and become the Pakhan, burying everything else under piles of duty and violence. Trying to dim her call, squish what I knew from the moment she mouthedit’s okayand I ripped through her virginity.
That she was mine.
That I was hers.
That we belong together.
Alive until the day you betray. That’s what is written in Russian above the skeleton tattoo. Yet, I don’t give a shit. If this is my only chance to have her, so be it.
When Enzo finds out, he can put that fucking bullet in my head. I won’t stop him.
“You’re worth it, malishka,” I whisper in her hair before switching to Russian. “Umeret’ za tebya. Ved’ ya vsegda zhil tol’ko radi tebya.”To die for. As I have only ever lived for you.
She stiffens in my arms. She doesn’t know Russian, but surely she picks up on the tone.
Screw this. We’re on a date. No place for things we can’t change or what-ifs leading to open ends. All we have is this moment. I am going to savor it like I intend to do her.
I can’t change the past, and I might not be here to shape the future. But for as long as I have, I will give her everything she desires. So, she never forgets me—carrying a piece of me forever. Selfish till my last moment.
Plucking a grape from the charcuterie board, I bring it to her mouth. “Open.”
She chews on the succulent fruit, and I feed her another one. “Good girl.”
Using my tongue, I catch the juice as it glides down her chin, bringing it back to her mouth where she swallows.
The atmosphere heats with combustible lust that threatens to incinerate me. My cock throbs behind my zipper, raw need unfurling inside of me. It’s so potent, it blackens my vision. I can barely restrain myself.
I don’t know who seduces who. I don’t even care.
My desire wins, and I cup her face, kissing her until we both gasp for air.
That glazed-over look is my new favorite as she cranes her neck to the darkening sky above, twinkling like millions of lit candles above our heads.
My patience evaporates. My control splinters, and I brush my lips against her neck. “This is the only time I’ll ask. May I take you?”
13
DAHLIA
His asking for permission warms my heart, dissolving my insides into mush. He doesn’t have to ask, but it gives this intimate moment an even dreamier quality, sprinkled with magic, making me feel as if I’d slipped into a fairy realm. In this reality, I have all I’ve ever dreamed of.
A surge of happiness revs up my being. I feel alive, loved, coveted. Everything I have ever desired is in reach.
I cup his cheek, and his hard features soften—only for me. Melting the icy facade he presents to the world. But with me, he’s a volcano, brooding with intensity—all fire that heats me up.
“Always, Mika,” I murmur, overcome by emotions.
A smirk teases his gorgeous mouth, and he takes mine in a long, passionate kiss that only leaves me craving more. Not even everything would be enough to ease my bottomless ache for him.
He undresses me slowly, leaving me shaky and breathless. Anticipation overpowers me, making me think I will die if he doesn’t relieve me soon. But he takes his sweet time, increasing my desperation. So cruel.
His hand runs down my neck, palming my chest. My heart beats a wild rhythm—a stallion let loose chasing promisedfreedom. He brushes up and down my side, casting a spell of seduction on my dormant body, and it lights up under his exquisite touch.
“More.” My voice sounds all greedy, the need so potent.
