The pull on the leash was all the advance notice I needed to know what I was about to face.
Kazimir stood leaning against a dark vehicle, his arms folded and his legs crossed as if he was perfectly comfortable.
With the smug look on his face, I realized he wasn’t going to allow me to go without a fight. However, I wasn’t that girl any longer. The one who could fall madly in love. I’d realized the danger I’d placed myself in.
So instead of falling prey to his charm, I altered the situation. My way. I leveled the barrel of the gun in his direction, all the while wondering if I had the courage to pull the trigger.
He seemed thoroughly amused, even throwing his arms in the air as if a man like him would surrender. “I see you’ve graduated from a knife to a gun. To what do I owe this honor?”
“You lied to me. To everyone.”
“About?”
“You being dead. About you coming back for me.”
“Come now,” he said as he flashed what could only be called a million-dollar smile. Why did he need to be so handsome? Why were my lips feeling the aftereffect of his rough kiss? And why was my body craving even more? “I didn’t lie about being dead because here I am. People assumed I was dead and I had no choice in the matter. As far as coming back for you, I told you that you belonged to me. I never lie. Here I am to lay claim to my possession.”
I knew he was tossing out the words to annoy me and it worked. “I’m no one’s possession. I broke the tether years ago.”
“I’m glad you did. Now, we need to talk.”
“We have nothing to talk about, Kazimir. Or would you prefer I call you by your full name, Mr. Chertov?”
Whether or not he was surprised by what I knew, I couldn’t tell. The same irksome, sexy smile lingered on his face. When he took a step closer, I straightened my arm.
“You don’t want to shoot me, Rafaela. Do you?”
“I want to live my life the way I want. I suggest you come to terms with that and leave me alone.” While there was conviction in my voice, Golden’s whine wasn’t helping the situation in the least. She was also tugging on her leash in trying to get closerto him. “No, baby girl. We can’t trust him. He’s a powerful, ruthless man who controls one of the most dangerous Bratva in the world. He only wants to use us.”
“Clever how you discovered my identity.”
“I’m not the hapless girl you met before. I’m all grown up, and I’ve learned I’m the only person who can look out for myself.”
“I can see that.”
He acted as if he was going to take another step closer. “Don’t do it, Kazimir. I’m not kidding. I will shoot you.”
In the close streetlight, I could tell I was right about him being beefier, stronger, and more intense. “I believe you.”
“Wow. You know what’s funny? You warned me you were a monster, but I chose not to believe you. Now, I was younger and I’d led a sheltered life, but I should have seen through the bullshit to know you were actually telling me the truth. If only I hadn’t pretended that you were every girl’s fantasy. I know better now. I’m not going to fall for your lies again.”
I found it fascinating he didn’t dispute what I’d said.
Without saying another word, I turned and headed down the alley.
This time, I didn’t get very far, his hand grasping my arm and jerking me back and against him. “You’re not going anywhere, Rafaela. The sooner you realize you belong to me, the better.” He grabbed the weapon in my hand, doing nothing more than sliding his finger across my skin for a few seconds while we both held the gun in midair. As usual, my body betrayed me, a strong very visible shiver giving me away.
“You’re also not going to kill me. Now, are you?” With one tug, he pulled the weapon away, pocketing it.
“Let go of me. I don’t belong to anyone.”
As if to make a point, he even wrapped his arm around my waist, pulling me so tightly against him that his throbbing cock was firmly pressed against my buttocks.
“That’s where you’re wrong, my beautifulprintsessa. Let me make myself clear. As of the first time we met, you were already mine. There was no lie and no intention of waiting this long. Any man who even thinks about touching you will die. Is that something you want to hear?”
He was more than just icier. He was playing into being the devil, another warning I hadn’t wanted to take to heart.
For some crazy reason, I still got a little thrill inside any time I thought about the way he’d taken care of Marco. The pig.
