Page 69 of Runaway Queen

“You think I’ll trust you after this?”

“People have recovered from worse than this, and besides, from what I hear, you have dated far worse than me.”

I blinked up at him.

He grinned. “Isn’t that right, Sofia De Sanctis?”

The shock was like cold water to the face.

He chuckled. “I admit I had no idea who you were, until some Russians who work for me in the area told me. Apparently, you’re pretty infamous in bratva circles, not that they’re bratva anymore. Exiled from all respectable families, they come in useful. The Russians will do all kinds of things that others won’t. They told me about your terrible taste in men.”

We’d reached his bedroom. It was dark inside, and he didn’t bother turning on the light.

Fear and disgust rolled through me. This was really happening.

Edward paused on the threshold, stilling suddenly.

There was a loaded silence, and the awareness of being watched by unseen eyes rippled over me. I knew that feeling. I knew those eyes. Relief hit me, and I stopped trying to force energy into my drugged muscles and went slack.

“Eddie, my ears are burning. Hasn’t anyone ever taught you it’s not nice to talk about people behind their backs?” Nikolai’s voice was full of mocking and malice.

Edward’s hands tightened on me. “Who are you?”

A dark chuckle came from the darkness.

Edward glanced down at me. “Who is he?”

Your worst nightmare. I tried to make my lips cooperate. “He’s… the end of you.”

Another chuckle from the dark. “She’s right, my clever littlelastochka. You should have listened to her when she told you to get fucked, Eddie boy. Now, things aren’t looking great for you.”

A light clicked on. Nikolai was sitting on a chair beside the bed. The bedside lamp spread just enough light over him to make him look utterly lethal. He had a gun clutched casually in his hand, but it was overkill really, given the general sense of menace he was giving off.

He had black gloves on. Edward’s grip slipped. He was going to drop me and run off. Nikolai clearly had the same thought, as he levelled the gun at us and tutted.

“Put her on the bed, nice and gently. Not even a hair on that woman’s head should be harmed, or you’ll regret it.”

Edward walked stiffly to the bed and put me down. I sank into the soft mattress. I was on my side, and I could see Nikolai and Edward perfectly.

“Are you okay, prom queen? Apart from having to suffer this guy’s company for an hour?”

I nodded, my head moving only slightly against the covers.

“Good. Now, you relax. Eddie and I are going to play a game, then I’m going to take you home.”

“What kind of game? My security will have seen you break in here. They’ll be on their way.”

Nikolai chuckled. “I don’t think they will. I think your simple little system will show a nice loop all night. Your network was child’s play for a professional to break into.”

“And you’re a professional?”

Nikolai tutted. “No, but my friend is. I had your system hijacked days ago. You see, I was always planning on paying you a visit.”

“For what? Money?”

“Oh, Eddie. It’s cute that you think you have enough money to impress me.” Nikolai pushed himself to his feet and approached Edward, keeping the gun trained on him. “I do like your operation, though, it has potential. I like your house, too. Too bad it’s mortgaged to the hilt and you have no heirs. I’m going to get it for a steal at auction.”

“What the fuck are you talking about?” Edward’s voice was shaking.

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