Mikhail’s head snapped toward him, surprised Juvie knew the Russian diminutive of his name. Juvie looked at him smugly.
“I study a lil Russian, too,droog (friend).”
“Get the car, Julien,” Targen ordered, before damn near pulling me into the hall.
I glared at him as he backed me into the wall, then caged me against it.
“I wish, huh?”
“Targen—”
“Nah, Ms. Miller. This night will end just like I want.”
I swallowed.
Hard.
Because I didn't know if that was a threat…
Or a promise.
Content warning:Remember that Theory is into Consensual Non-Consent (CNC), something that she and Targen discussed before. Their interest in this dynamic is explored in this scene. Please be mindful of your triggers.
The whole ride home, I kept my legs crossed and my face turned toward the window because if I looked at Targen too long, I was either going to kiss him or say something else reckless. Maybe both.
The air inside the SUV felt thick. Heavy.
Silent.
Juvie and Mikhail didn’t say a word, and that alone told me how obvious Targen’s mood was. He sat beside me quiet as hell,one hand flexing slowly against his thigh every few seconds like he was trying not to snatch me up right there in the backseat.
Let him be mad.
He wasn’t the only one.
Ekaterina had walked up on him like she belonged there, way too familiar. Targen had looked entirely too comfortable hugging her. Then he had the nerve to look irritated because I danced with somebody else afterward?
Please.
I smoothed my dress over my thighs again, pretending I didn’t feel him watching every little movement.
“You nervous?”
His voice was low, too calm. I refused to look at him. “No.”
A lie and his soft laugh told me he knew it.
The SUV barely stopped before Targen was out the door. I had just enough time to thank Mikhail for opening my door before Targen caught my hand and pulled me toward the house.
Fast.
My heels clicked hard against the marble once we stepped inside.
“Targen.”
“Nah.”
That one word slid all over me.He turned suddenly, pinning me with those unreadable eyes, and my breath caught before I could stop it.
