“What the fuck are you doing, Victoria?” he seethes.

I flutter my eyelashes at him. “I don’t know what you’re talking about, Sir.” I grit out the word as I clench my teeth together. “I thought we were mid-game?”

“This,” he gestures his hands up and down my body, “is not normal behaviour, Victoria.”

He squeezes my upper arm harder as he pulls me from the building.

“Compared to your little cum bucket, I guess not. But I thought you loved my rebelliousness?” I pull my arm from his grasp. “You left me for her again. It’s becoming a habit, Dmitry.”

He sighs, grabbing my wrist and pulling me towards the car. Nik opens the back door as Dmitry hustles me inside, slamming the door shut behind him. This isn’t my fault.

I watch as the pair talk in hushed tones outside the car, but I can’t make out what they’re saying, though I can feel the tension radiating off Dmitry.

I smirk to myself. At least I got his attention again.

He slides into the car, and I laugh to myself. Prick.

“Something funny, Victoria?” he grits out as he reaches over to secure my seatbelt.

“Yes, actually,” I snap as I slap his hands away to fasten it myself.

“Care to share? Because I don’t think this erratic behaviour is funny at all.” He runs his hands through his hair, a sure sign he’s struggling to restrain himself. “This behaviour is going to get you killed. All you’re doing is giving these bastards ammunition against us. Against you.”

“Considering you don’t even like them fuckers, you sure do seem to care what they think.” I sigh, looking out the window as Nik pulls out into traffic.

“You’re behaving like a fucking raving lunatic. I may not like them, but they’re a necessary evil,” he spits, and I recoil at his venomous tone.

Harriet’s words come back to haunt me. I’m sabotaging myself . . . again. I shake my head to clear the negativity. How is this my doing?

“We spoke about this behaviour. Several times. It has to stop, but instead of stopping, you’re just getting fucking worse.”

The car pulls to a stop outside Harriet’s office, and I whip my head in his direction.

“Why the fuck are we here?” I shout as I look down at myself. Bile rises in my throat at the thought of her seeing me like this.

“I told you, you’re getting worse. This behaviour is not fucking normal.”

“So, I do something you don’t agree with and suddenly I’m some psychopath?” I stammer. My eyes fill with tears, but I’ll be damned if I allow him to see that I’m hurt by his accusation. “Whatever, Dmitry. Whatever helps you sleep easy at night knowing you’re shagging that dirty little tramp behind my back.” I stare back out the window, folding my arms over my chest. I won’t go willingly. This bastard will have to force me.

He makes his way round to my door, opening it and staring at me, silently begging me to comply.

“Get out, Victoria,” he snaps.

“Or what?” I stare straight ahead, refusing to make eye contact. He leans in the car, undoing my seat belt.

“Don’t make me force you out this car.” I turn to look at him.

“Mr. Volkov, go fuck yourself,” I spit angrily. His eyes burn with rage as he grabs my arms, pulling me out the car and throwing me over his shoulder.

I pound his back, screaming, noticing the passersby watching our altercation in alarm.

“Is no fucker going to save me?” I scream at them in disbelief. He marches up the steps into the building, and I growl as I continue to pound on his back. “You’re a fucking prick, Dmitry,” I scream as we enter the reception area.

Harriet comes out her office. “What’s all the commotion?” she asks. “Mr. Volkov, please put Victoria down.”

He dumps me on my feet, and I begin to walk towards the exit, but he grabs my arm, preventing my escape. “This is how she just arrived at an early morning business meeting.” He gestures to my clothing, and I blush, lowering my head. I feel mortified in her presence with just enough fabric to cover my most sensitive areas. “This is not normal behaviour. I thought you were working on making rational decisions. Because right now, whatever you’re doing isn’t fucking working.”

“Tori,” Harriet says softly. Tears balance on my lashes as I look up at her. “Go take a seat in my office. I’ll be with you shortly.” I nod and make my way into her office. Just being away from Dmitry right now is what I need, and if that means I’m jumping out of one lion’s den into another, then so be it.