“I dated Viktor for months. He complained about you guys a lot. Said the Italians were trying to wipe out the Bratva.”
I don’t confirm or deny. The war between us started when their Pakhan, Kozlov, got greedy and pushed into our territory. We pushed back. Things escalated. People died.
More people will die before this is over.
“I heard you two broke up,” I say. “So why is he still following you? Why was he waiting for you at the coffee shop?”
She crosses her arms, eyebrows raised. “You were followinghim. That’s why you showed up at the coffee place? And the bar?”
No point in lying. “Yes.”
“So now you’re stalkingmeto learn about the first person you were stalking.” A bitter laugh escapes her. “That’s fantastic. Really.”
“They say it’s important to know your enemy.”
“Well, I don’t want to be pulled into anything involving Viktor or feuding mafia families.” Her voice hardens. “I just want to be left alone.”
“How’s that working out for you?”
Fire sparks in her eyes. Good. She’s got fight in her. She’ll need it.
“Fine,” she bites out. “What do you want to know?”
The defiance in her voice does something to me. She’s scared, but she’s not cowering. She’s pissed off and holding her ground, and fuck if that isn’t the hottest thing I’ve seen in a long time.
She shifts her weight, the movement bringing her closer in the narrow alley. The streetlight catches the curve of her neck, the hollow at her throat where her pulse beats fast. Her hair falls over one shoulder, exposing skin I want to taste.
She bites her bottom lip, worrying it between her teeth, and my control nearly snaps. Blood rushes south as I imagine replacing her teeth with mine, sinking into that plump flesh while I bury myself deep inside her.
The air between us feels charged. Electric. She’s close enough that I can see the flecks of gold in her brown eyes, smell that sweet scent that’s driving me crazy.
Focus.
“Where does he live?”
“I don’t know,” she admits, sheepishly.
I stare at her. “You dated for months.”
“Yeah, we did.” She’s defensive now. “But he never took me to his place. He always came over to my apartment. Never told me where he spent his time. Everything was on his terms. By the end, I realized he kept me at arm’s length on purpose. I would’ve thought he was married if he wasn’t so... ” She trails off.
“So what?”
“Obsessed with me.” The words come out barely above a whisper.
I think about what Santino told me. Viktor’s arrogance. His pride. If Lorenzo’s right, I can use that obsession against him.
I can use her.
The thought sits there, ugly and useful. I file it away.
“That’s how it seems,” she continues. “He shows up every couple of days. Insults me. Grabs me. Like that’s somehow going to make me take him back.”
My hands curl into fists. The need to find Viktor and break every bone in his body nearly overwhelms me.
“Did you walk here again tonight?”
Her scowl deepens. “You really did follow me yesterday, didn’t you?” When I don’t answer, she sighs. “Yeah. I walked.”
