Roman’s head tilts to the side. “You’re making big promises.”
“And I mean to follow through on them.”
They exchange their glances, and I know they don’t entirely like this arrangement. They hate it, but Lily and Elena matter to them.
Then, the pakhan sighs. “So long as you watch your step, we’ll move against the Grimaldis together. We’ll do it quietly, and with no unnecessary blood.”
“Our definitions of ‘necessary’ might be different,” I murmur.
While I don’t lust for blood, the Grimaldis have been nothing but a problem for me for some time, and now, it’s more personal. If they’re willing to throw their men at us like cannon fodder, then I won’t feel too guilty about wasting them.
Roman gives me a look that says, "We’ll see," and he leaves it at that.
As the conversation winds down and understanding settles heavily between us, I finally excuse myself. With my eyes immediately on Elena, I can’t take the distance anymore.
She’s still dancing and smiling, unaware of the troubled thoughts moving through me, both at her brothers’ doubts and the very idea of anyone thinking they can take what they want from me.
I don’t think as I cross the room, but soon enough, she sees me coming just as I reach her. She looks surprised, especially as I reach down to gently hold her forearm.
“Dance with me.”
Even more caught off guard, she takes a moment, glancing at the girls briefly before looking back at me. Something unreadable crosses her features before she nods, slipping into something more receptive.
With ease, I guide her deeper into the crowd, giving us whatever privacy I can manage here. Pulling her close, her body fits against mine so perfectly that the anger in me fizzles away without protest.
My hands settle at her waist, sliding slowly along her body as her back presses to my chest, stirring such a primalsatisfaction in me. Elena stiffens initially, only to melt into the rhythm when I don’t push her further.
The smell of her perfume, along with that unique scent of hers, hits me at once, and I can’t resist the urge to dip forward and brush my nose against her neck.
Even if she goes with it, I can still sense her lingering questions.
“You okay?”
“I’m fine,” I lie, very clearly seeking out more of her in whatever way I can.
Elena turns, facing me instead with concern etched in her features. “You don’t seem fine.”
I know I’m letting my need for her get the better of me, so I force a small grin and lean forward, lips near her ear as my hands slide back to her hips. “You don’t need to worry about anything. Just enjoy the night.”
Despite not looking convinced at first, she nods anyway, and with enough trust in me, she doesn’t pull back.
As the song changes, I move with her, guiding her hips in suggestion. Every brush of her body against mine sends more warmth up my spine, and every breath she takes feels like it belongs only to me.
It’s a dangerous thought, especially paired with the way she moves against me like this is perfectly normal for us. For a moment, I want it to be. If I could spend the rest of my life like this, feeling her on me and being at the centre of her attention, I’d die blissfully.
Letting myself go, I touch her as much as I can without crossing any boundaries. The fire in me rises all over again, thanks to the hypnotic way she dances, willingly keeping me inthis tantalising bubble. I try to keep it down, but the second she grinds back against me, slowly, agonizingly, I can’t take it.
I squeeze her waist, holding her there for a beat before I murmur against her neck, “I need you.”
Elena glances back at me again, and the flash of interest in her eyes doesn’t escape me. She looks me over, and I already know her mind is in the same place as mine. “Are you saying you want to leave?”
“No,” I murmur, bringing my face closer to hers until we’re exchanging breath again. “Not yet…I can’t wait until we’re home.”
Her brows raise at that, catching on quicker than expected. “What, right here?”
“No,” I repeat, this time with a vaguely amused breath. I slide my hand down to hers, gently threading our fingers together. “If you want this, then come with me.”
Elena hesitates just long enough to make me wait, then a familiar resolve settles in her gaze. Her nod is all I need to see.
