Page 83 of Diamond Don

I don’t foresee the extent of his anger, though. In fact, when he forcefully grabs me by the shoulders, lifting me off the stool until my feet are dangling in the air, I’m shocked. I didn’t expect the stoic Vladmir to snap like this.

“What the hell is wrong with you?” he asks an inch away from my face, shaking me hard until my teeth clatter. His fingertips press deeply on the flesh of my arms, and I know I’ll have bruises tomorrow. “Why are you so fucking nosy? You sure ask a fuck ton of questions. Especially for a thief.”

“Put me down,” I say.

“Do you want to know how I felt about Maxim? I’ll tell you all about the bastard. He was nothing but a lucky asshole. All his life, he was always in the right place at the right time. That’s how he got everything he ever had. He didn’t deserve to be the pakhan’s second-in-command. He didn’t earn that—or anything else in his miserable life. And whatever wasn’t easily handed to him on a silver platter, he took it anyway. Like he did with Erin McGuire. Maxim cuckolded Lorenzo and didn’t think anything of it. As if he was fucking entitled to my friend’s fiancée. That’s the kind of man Maxim was. And if you don’t watch your fucking mouth, I won’t be surprised if you get a chance to get to know him yourself very soon.” Vladmir’s green eyes burn with pure, unconcealed hatred.

Nik’s angry voice reverberates from somewhere behind me. “What the fuck do you think you’re doing? If you don’t get your hands off of her immediately, I’ll kill you.”

30

KAT

Vladmir sets me down so quickly that I lose my balance and stumble backward.

A black-clad arm wraps around my waist, steadying me and pulling me against a muscular chest. A chest that is practically vibrating with uncontrolled anger.

I glance up and find Nik’s face. I see it for the first time—this isn’t the passionate lover who held me in his arms, whispering sweet nothings in Russian to me. This is Nikolai Stefanovich, the Russian bratva’s pakhan. The coldhearted man whose name and fearsome reputation are enough to make even his mafia counterparts tremble with fear and respect.

I’ve never seen this crazed wildfire in his eyes before.

In front of me, the fierce Vladmir turns almost as white as the napkins on the bar.

“Prosti duraka, pakhan. Ya ne khotel tebya obidet. Ya bol’she tak ne budu,” he says to Nik, his voice shaking.

Behind me, Nik shakes his head slowly. “You knew better than to lay hands on her,” he says, almost in a menacing growl. “I ought to kill you just for touching what’s mine. You’re well aware of the punishment for putting your hands on your pakhan’s woman.”

“I understand, pakhan. Again, if I may, forgive me for being such an idiot. I didn’t want to offend you. I won’t do it again. But I understand if you can’t let it go.” Vladmir’s eyes remain downcast.

“Get the fuck out of my sight. You’ve already caused a scene,” Nik says through gritted teeth. I look around and notice half a dozen of McGuire’s guests staring at us, whispering. “I’ll summon you later once I’ve decided your fate.”

With a slight nod, Vladmir quickly and quietly exits the room.

Nik flips me around in his arms until I’m facing him. The savage fire I saw in his gaze still burns. His eyes roam over my face, searchingly, clearly trying to gauge my emotions. “Forgive me, Kat,” he says, kissing the top of my head.

“For what?” I ask in confusion.

Nik looks at me as if my question is ridiculous. “For Vladmir’s actions, of course.” He wraps his arms around me, gently holding me against his chest and nuzzling my hair. “He should never have even thought of touching you. I’m so sorry. Are you okay? Did he hurt you at all?”

I scoff. “Nik, I appreciate your concern, but I’m completely fine.”

Unconvinced, he pulls away a little to look at me, not even bothering to hide his attempt at assessing me for any undisclosed damage.

“I’m serious,” I say. “Don’t worry. You got here just in time, Prince Charming. Not that I needed your help, mind you. I had everything under control.”

It’s his turn to scoff. After pulling me back against his chest, he bends to speak against my ear. “Prince Charming, huh?”

“More like Prince Terrifying.” I teasingly shove against his chest, burying my face against it. “I didn’t know that side of you, miliy.”

Nik wastes no time gently pushing me so he can look at my face. There’s a delighted glint in his eyes when he asks, “What did you just say?”

With a laugh, I ask, “Did I say it right?”

“Did you mean to say miliy?” His pronunciation is utterly different from my butchered attempt.

“Yes, miliy,” I repeat, sounding better than my first attempt but not nearly as clear as he did.

“Where did you learn that?” Pure, undisguised joy glitters in Nik’s beautiful brown eyes. He bites his bottom lip mid-smile, and it’s all I can do to stop myself from pulling that tempting mouth down to mine.

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