The rest of dinner passes in a haze. The Elders eat quickly, eager to escape the suffocating tension of the room.
When the elevator doors finally slide shut behind Sokolov and his men, the hush crashes back into the penthouse.
My knees feel weak. The adrenaline that held me upright drains away, leaving me trembling. I grip the edge of the marble table to steady myself.
"You played a dangerous game, Helena."
Konstantin’s voice comes from behind me.
I turn around.
He’s walking toward me. He stops inches away, forcing me to tilt my head back to look at him.
"You threatened the Council," he says softly. "You held a million-dollar deal hostage."
"I did what I had to do," I whisper. "I proved my worth. Isn't that what you wanted?"
"I wanted you to survive the table," he says, stepping closer. "Didn't expect you to rule it."
He wraps his hand around my throat.
"You were reckless," he growls. "If Sokolov had called your bluff... if he had decided to shoot you instead of beg..."
"He didn't," I interrupt him. "Because he needs me. Just like you do."
His eyes darken.
"You’re right," he admits. "You didn't survive them, Helena. You owned them. You sat there in your velvet dress and cut their throats without spilling a drop of blood."
He tightens his grip slightly, pulling me onto my toes.
"You were perfect."
The praise hits harder than the fear.
Right now, with the adrenaline still humming in my blood, I don't care if he’s the villain. The world is full of wolves. The only place they can't reach me is in the jaws of the biggest beast in the room. I don't want the husband. I want the monster who protects his property.
I don't wait for him to take me.
I reach up, burying my hands in his hair, and pull his mouth down to mine.
I kiss him.
I kiss him with all the thrill of the victory, with all the dark, twisted love taking root in my chest.
He freezes for a split second, seemingly surprised by my aggression.
Then, he growls and kisses me back. His arms wrap around my waist, crushing me against him, lifting me off the floor.
I wrap my legs around his hips instantly, desperate to get closer, to feel the hard ridge of him against me.
I pull my face back just an inch to look into his eyes, the eyes of the predator I impressed.
"You said I played a dangerous game," I whisper against his mouth, my nails digging into his shoulders to anchor myself.
I grind down against him, leaving no doubt about what I crave.
"I won," I breathe against his lips, hands tangling in his hair. I feel the rumble of his approval against my chest.
