Page 24 of Malevolent King

“What are you doing?” I demanded at the methodical way he was touching my cheek.

“Making sure you remember who you belong to. I’m sure your little watcher will be along any moment. Angelo, wasn’t it?” Nikolai said conversationally.

It was terrifying that he knew my bodyguard’s name. How long had he been watching me?

“But since it’s not the time to start problems between our families, I’ll be going now.”

Relief filled me.

Nikolai finished with his design on my cheek, and before I could stop him, he slipped his red-stained finger into my mouth. I nearly retched at the metallic tang. I tried to turn away, but he gripped my chin and held my face toward his.

“Don’t be too relieved, Sofia. This is a momentary respite. You belong to me. I won you. I own you… and I’ll collect you when it’s time. Until then, keep dreaming of me, and I’ll do the same.”

He leaned in and pressed his lips to mine before I realized what he intended. My gasp of shock only allowed him entry, and he wasted no time slipping his tongue into my mouth. His blood mixed between us, and I felt a horrible heat that had nothing to do with fear. His kiss was bold, as darkly delicious as he was.

My first kiss.

I nearly arched into him. I nearly reached for him and pulled him closer, lost in the sensation of his body against mine, my carnal instinct driving me on, regardless of the danger.

“That’s right, Sofia. Don’t lie again that you don’t feel it, too,” he muttered against my lips.

The words were a shock of ice water splashed on my heated skin. What the hell was I doing? If this man didn’t rip me apart when he was done with me, then my father would if he knew what was happening right now.

I sank my teeth into his lip as hard as I could.

He pulled back as more metal filled my mouth. He sat back on his heels, wiping his lip. His chin was red, and I could feel warmth on mine as well. He stared at me, raising an eyebrow. I braced myself, wondering what he’d do in retaliation. I’d cut him deep; I could see yet more red dripping down his chin.

Instead of looking angry, he chuckled. “You’re going to be a wild one, aren’t you? It’s always the quiet ones. Good,” he said after a moment and pushed himself up with long, black, jean-clad legs. He looked down at me with demented fondness. “Save that for next time. We’ve no time for it now.”

“You’re crazy,” I heard myself say as I pedaled back like a beetle that had fallen on its butt.

At that incredulous statement, Nikolai threw his head back and laughed. It was rich and mocking, tempting and depraved at the same time.“Are you just figuring that out?” he asked, his eyes sparkling with amusement. “See you soon, Sofia De Sanctis.”

He turned and strode away as approaching footsteps echoed heavily in the silence that had fallen. I watched Nikolai boost himself effortlessly out of a shoulder-height window, slithering through lithely.

“Miss Sofia?” Angelo’s voice called to me from the door.

I shot painfully to my feet. I turned away from him, hiding my face. If my father found out what had happened, he’d never let me out of the house again.

“I’m coming. I need to run to the bathroom,” I tossed over my shoulder, quickly making for the small bathroom off the gym.

Inside, I turned the light on with trembling fingers and braced myself for my reflection. I flinched when I caught the first glimpse of myself in the mirror.

I looked far wilder than I could have imagined. Blood ran from both corners of my mouth like macabre Halloween makeup. But worse than that was the shape on my cheek.

A red-painted letter on my unblemished skin. A brand of ownership.

N.

You’re mine, Sofia. You belong to me, my prize.

8

SOFIA

Now

Five hours later, and I felt like I’d never slept. We’d gotten a lift from a lonely old trucker who talked constantly. Nikolai was silent, staring at the road, his arm around me. He’d taken off the restraints but had a gun tucked into my side the whole time. I answered our driver’s questions vaguely, and tried not to freak out as the truck carried me further toward New York.

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