But I’ve got her jaw in one hand, her body against the wall, her hand above her head, and she’s looking up at me like we’re on a Sunday stroll.
I drop my hand from her chin and, quick as lightning, grab her other wrist, bringing it up to the first, easily holding them in one hand.
I’ve got them high enough that she’s up on tiptoe with nowhere to go. I know what I’m doing. I’m forcing submission. Proving my superiority when she questions it at every turn.
But that is when she gasps, her eyes dilating again.
And this time I know it’s fear. I’m frightening her.
It’s what I wanted, but in this moment, I can’t continue. I can’t rule her with fear. It’s too cruel. She’s known too much pain, and I don’t want to add more.
I ease back my grip on her wrists, but I keep my chest pressed to hers as stare down into her eyes. “You should go back to your room.”
“Fine.”
She’s right. One-word answers are annoying.
I let go and she quickly skirts past me and makes a dash for the door.
I know from start to finish I’ve done this all wrong.
I hear the tap of Katarina’s heels as she makes her way up the stairs.
I exit the sitting room just as she reaches the top step.
She pauses for one second, looking back over her shoulder, her green eyes stormy as they meet mine. And then she disappears.
I almost call her back.
I almost apologize.
But I’m not a man who does either. And Katarina is just a pawn.
But even pawns have the power to ruin a game if one is not careful.
CHAPTER NINE
Katarina
Tuggingat the back of the dress, I try to calm myself.
I don’t like admitting that I’m scared. I’ve survived the last several years by never showing fear.
But Win…unsettled me.
It wasn’t even pain. I didn’t actually think he’d hurt me. But there was an energy between us that I don’t understand…it confuses everything.
And I can feel the power he has, his ability to wield it. But I’m even more afraid I’ll bend to his will if he does.
I slip off the dress and pull on my leggings and a sports bra.
Then I grab my suitcase from the closet.
I’m leaving. Tonight.
I know all the reasons I wanted Win’s help, but he’s too…
It’s the perfect time to go. With the event, hundreds of people will be exiting. I’ll just slip out between them, no one the wiser.
