“Don’t worry about it,” the officer chuckled. “My wife’s the same. Can’t handle her wine, you know.”
“Now thank the officer for his time, Violet,” Cedric murmured in a tone so light it was almost friendly.
“Thank you,” I forced out, trying desperately to catch the officer’s eye, but his gaze slid past me, already locked in an easy conversation with Cedric.
A few more pleasantries, and then the officer slipped back into his car. Only once it had pulled away did Cedric releasemy hair, though his hand stayed possessively tight around my waist.
“How did you find me?” I demanded, forcing my body not to tremble. “What do you want?”
Cedric’s fingers pinched my jaw, forcing my chin up until I met his cold gaze.
“I want you to take me to Ryder.”
Chapter 24
Ryder
The great Roman Antonov lived in this ridiculously expensive luxury flat in the heart of Kensington, surrounded by the 1% who had no idea the type of man they called their neighbour.
But I guess that was all part of the con, projecting polished smiles and practiced charm almost enough to rival mine, when in reality he was a Bratva heir with more death at his hands than confessions in a church.
Everything was just camouflage for the predator hiding beneath.
It’s what made me so fascinated with his company all those years ago, when we were nothing but rodents living on the street. It’s also probably why our friendship lasted so long.
Not to mention his role in a particularly dark chapter of my life, when I needed someone far more dangerous. As I’ve said, I didn’t really do wet and sticky if I could help it.
Although, he wasn’t looking too pleased to see me when I input his private lift’s code that bypassed the security at the front desk and took me straight to his apartment.Probably had something to do with the woman he’d had bent over the sofa as I’d walked in, catching him mid-thrust.
“Don’t worry, I’m sure he’ll call you, love,” I teased, the woman rushing to the now unoccupied lift with her clothes bundled in her arms. As she turned, I shook my head, mouthing the words,‘He won’t,’just as the doors slid closed.
“What the fuck are you doing here?” Roman growled, tugging on his trousers. “I was busy.”
“Clearly.” I moved to the kitchen, already pouring myself a drink from one of his expensive whiskey bottles. I made him one too, because I wasn’t a complete animal.
Roman appeared moments later, his cock thankfully covered but his chest left bare as he showed off the snake tattooed down his left side. An identical snake to my own. But while his was a statement, mine disguised scars.
He eyed the glass of whiskey but ignored it to reach into his fridge for the milk instead.
“So, she seemed nice,” I commented, amused by how he drank the milk straight from the carton. “Seemed in a bit of a hurry to get out of here, though. You must have lost your touch.”
“What do you want, Ry?” he sighed, placing down the milk to cross his arms. “I thought you didn’t want to talk.”
“I have a price on my head.” I waited for his response, but he simply raised a dark brow as if waiting for me to continue. “At least act surprised,” I muttered.
Roman had the audacity to smirk. “You really do have a talent for pissing people off.”
“Rude. You’re supposed to be on my side.”
“I am,” he drawled. “I’m just doing my part to keep that gigantic ego of yours from floating away.”
I laughed, because without Roman, I would have self-destructed years ago. He somehow kept me grounded, or atthe very least, standing at my side when I inevitably dove headfirst into trouble.
“Tell me what happened,” he asked rather than demanded, and I told him everything from the red-flagged offer, to the crazy as fuck mother, to Cedric’s hard-on for my life.
As I spoke, the lift doors slid open and out stepped good old Maxim, wearing his usual mask of impassive indifference.
Roman didn’t even bother acknowledging him, which came as no surprise considering Maxim was his father’s guard dog, and Rome knew better than to tug that leash. Push too hard and Daddy dearest would come sniffing around, and honestly, Roman had enough headaches without that prick breathing down his neck.
