Page 35

“I like good conversations over a vanilla shake.”

We never got to do that because I lost control and shoved her up against a wall.

I can still remember what her body felt like pressed against mine, her breaths warming my jaw, her green gaze filled with desire.

“I also like walking in the rain.”

My eyes flick back to her face. “Why?”

“Other people avoid the rain, and it washes the streets clean. There’s just something magical about it, especially if it rains at night.”

A warm feeling fills my chest as I stare at the only woman who’s been able to get and hold my attention.

The tiny candy ball comes off the stick, and she sucks on it while adding, “I like stargazing as well.”

“You can’t see the stars in the city.”

Her legs continue to swing, the movement almost hypnotizing to me, and she tilts her head as she replies, “I know. One day, I’ll drive out to a park or something. Maybe go camping for a weekend.”

“Do you like being outdoors?” After asking the question, I realize I’m relaxed and actually enjoying the conversation.

Annie lets out a chuckle. “No, I don’t. Too many birds, bugs, and critters.” She snorts, and it makes my jaw clench again. “Other campers would hear me screaming all night long.”

The image of Annie arching her back and screaming with pleasure flits through my mind, stunning me senseless. My cock hardens again, and I lower one of my hands, covering the clear outline before she can notice it.

I haven’t had sex since I was twenty-seven. It was after I realized the women at Bastien’s club were all trafficked. Even when Katherina came to me, saying she enjoyed our time together, I couldn’t bring myself to touch her again.

She died a year later because she started fighting back against Bastien and went to the police.

I made it quick. She never saw me coming.

Annie jumps off the table, and crouching in front of me, she gives me a concerned look. “You okay?”

I haven’t thought about Katherina in years.

I always blocked out all emotion so I could do my job without losing my mind, but as I stare at Annie, guilt trickles into my heart like a poisonous stream.

Katherina deserved better.

Annie places her hand on my forearm, her touch comforting. “What’s wrong?”

I shake my head, and leaning down, I press a kiss to her fingers. Annie places her other hand at the back of my head.

I hate the chair between us, and shooting to my feet, I grab hold of her, engulfing her in my arms.

She grips me tightly and presses a kiss to my jaw. “Everything will be okay.”

I close my eyes and focus on how good it feels to hug this woman who has me twisted up in knots, wishing I had a normal life so I’d be worthy of having a relationship with her.

Besides the risk of being tracked down by the Bratva and the false identities and constant lies, I have nothing to offer this incredible woman, and I realize it’s the main reason I’ve kept her at a distance.

Annie pulls back, and framing my jaw with her palms, she gives me a compassionate look I don’t deserve.

If only you knew who I really am. What I’ve done. You’d be horrified.

She shakes her head lightly, a smile tugging at the corner of her mouth. “It’s okay.”

No, it’s not. I’ve killed hundreds of people. Like with Katherina, some didn’t see it coming, but most died crying and screaming in agony.