Page 84 of Ruthless Reign

She shoots me a fierce look. “Not until you tell me why you took it.”

“I needed to check if there was a tracker installed. Nobody can know our location.”

Her eyebrows lift, disappearing beneath her dark bangs. “And is there a tracker installed?”

“I don’t know,” I admit, my jaw tight. “Because, apparently, you’re a secret computer whiz and no one could hack into your fucking phone.”

She gives me a smug smile, but it doesn’t last long. “That doesn’t explain why you locked me up in your house. I can’t just disappear from my life. My parents are probably wondering where I am, and Anatoly…” She clears her throat but doesn’t finish that thought.

Annoyance spikes through me. I hate how those meant to love and protect her simply don't care. They're only upset because this mess is unfolding right before her wedding—a wedding that won't be happening if I have a say in the matter.

I try to talk sense into her. “We were almost killed last night. Yeah, I was probably the intended target, but we can’t assume anything until we have more information.”

Her face falls. “Surely this is not about me.”

“Probably not, but I’m not a man who takes chances when it comes to something I care about.”

She blinks a few times, her expression softening. “I … I can’t stay here with you,” she pleads. “We had last night. Let’s leave it on a good note.” There's a hint of regret in her tone, but she covers it up with a fierce look.

It’s then that my gaze slides down her body. Shit. She’s wearing one of my T-shirts and little else, as far as I can tell.

A warm sense of possession grows in my chest. “You look good in my clothes,” I growl.

“Enjoy the view. Because this is the last time you’ll see me in something that’s yours. I’m leaving here, and you can’t stop me.”

My voice drops an octave. “I think we both know that I can. Very easily.”

“I’m serious, Roman. This has gone too far!” She twists the blade into my skin to make her point. “I’m getting married soon. Anatoly will send people to look for me. He’ll ask questions. Don’t put me in that position.” Her eyes cloud with fear, and it makes me want to pummel that asshole’s face even harder.

“I told you I’d handle him, and I did. He thinks Kira whisked you into hiding after the attack last night. Not that he’s happy about it, but he believes you had no choice, that it was on Maxim’s orders.”

She bites her luscious lower lip, processing what I just told her. Even Anatoly knows not to rise up against Maxim, at least not outwardly.

Her grip on the knife loosens, and I make a mental note to give Liza self-defense lessons at some point.

“But Kira’s in the Maldives.”

I smirk. “He doesn’t know that.”

Her mouth flattens into a thin line. “This is crazy. I can’t stay locked up in here with you.”

“We’re not going to be locked up in here. I have other plans.”

She shakes her head, her expression filling with anger again. “No, you don’t. You don’t get to make plans without asking me what I want.” She juts out her chin. “There’s enough in my life I can’t control; I get a say in this.” Her voice cracks with vulnerability, piercing through the ice encasing my heart.

“How about you lower that knife, and we sit down on the couch and discuss what’s next.”

She quietly considers it. “Fine, but first, give me my phone back.”

“It’s in my back pocket,” I instruct. “Feel free to grope around while you’re there.”

Holding eye contact, she leans into my front and fishes around until her hand wraps around her phone. I see the moment the insistent press of my cock against her stomach registers.

“Oh my God, you’re hard. This turns you on.”

“You turn me on,” I clarify. “Although, I could do without the knife to my throat.”

“Should have made different choices in that case.”

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