I didn’t answer. I couldn’t. Avgust didn’t even wait for one. He left the room with a tension in his shoulders so palpable I almost felt guilty for causing it. Almost. But the heat still thrummed through my blood, my lips still tingled, and my body still remembered the press of his mouth against mine. The door clicked shut behind him. And I stood alone in my art room, every brush, every canvas, every streak of light on the wall suddenly feeling too warm, too alive, too charged.
Because I had kissed him.
And he had kissed me back like it mattered.
Chapter 10 - Avgust
I should’ve kissed her longer. The thought hit me the second I shut the door of the art room behind me, making me feel annoyed with my own reaction to her. Her taste was still on my mouth as I remembered how sweet she had been, even if a little hesitant. Just a little shy.
But it was all a mistake.
Not because I didn’t want her. Hell, I wanted her more than anything I’d wanted in a long, long time. But because she hadn’t kissed me out of want. She had kissed me only because she wanted something from me, and she thought this was the only way she could get it. It was nothing more than a trade for her. A bargaining chip.
She would have kissed any monster in that room if it meant getting word to her family. I already knew that. I reminded myself of it again and again as I walked down the hallway, trying to get my pulse to settle and my brain to start working again. I was halfway to my office when my phone buzzed in my pocket. Another call from her brother, no doubt.
The man had been calling every few minutes persistently. I could sense that he was getting more paranoid and frantic with every passing second, but I couldn’t care less. Let him worry. I had sent the message she wanted, and that was enough. Her family didn’t need to know where she was or who she was with, and they sure as hell weren’t going to find out.
I continued ignoring every call and vibration.
But when the phone buzzed again, sharp and urgent, I let out a low breath and pulled it out, preparing to hit decline without even looking at the screen. Except it wasn’t the same number.
“Timofey,” My younger brother’s picture popped up all over my screen.
My stomach tightened in an instant. Timofey wouldn’t call unless it was important.
I answered. “What’s wrong?”
His voice was rough, winded, and tight with pain.
“Avgust… I need you to come get me. Right now.”
My hand stilled.
“Where are you?”
“N-near your damn… safe house. Zhenya told me you were here.” He hissed, sharp and shaky. “Ran into some local idiots. Didn’t think they’d… fuck… get a knife in.”
A cold wave snapped through me.
“I will be right there,” I said, already beginning to move. “Who were they?”
“Dunno. Four of them. Didn’t get a good look. They were already running when I pulled my gun. Probably recognized me from somewhere. I’m hiding under the ridge, bleeding like shit. But they might come back.”
Rage moved through my veins in a clean, lethal line.
“I’m coming,” I said. “Try to stay awake.”
He let out a breath that sounded like a laugh choked in blood.
“I’m not dying, brother. Timofey Chernykh… won’t die that easily. Just hurry the hell up.”
The call ended, but I was already on my way. As soon as I stepped outside, the night air hit me like a blade, humid and heavy. My guards straightened the moment they saw me, butI didn’t slow down long enough for explanations. My brother needed me.
“Get the car out now.”
The SUV revved to life in seconds.
I climbed in, slammed the door, and we tore off down the private road, gravel crunching under the tires. My jaw clenched with every passing second as I continued to think of Timofey bleeding somewhere near my house. Someone had been stupid enough to attack one of my brothers, and that too around Chernykh territory.
