Page 15 of Bound By Longing

“Mila, come to me,” Vladimir demands.

Damien looks back and forth between us. “Are you going to do what he says?”

“No. Please help me.”

For just a second, his eyes soften, and then his smirk replaces it. “What do I get in return? A kiss?”

I blanch. “What?”

Damien chuckles as he turns to Vladimir. “Who are you?”

“It doesn’t matter. I want Mila back.”

“Seems she doesn’t want you. You can leave her with me. I’ll take care of her.” Damien’s words are not reassuring. What does “take care of her” even mean? I would rather not find out. I’m stuck between two powerful men when I only want to be home with my sisters again.

“She’s mine,” Vladimir growls.

“What qualifies her to be yours?” Damien gently touches my arm. Goosebumps rise on my skin.

“I took her, so she’s mine.”

“Ah. The whole kidnapping shtick. You know, I was never that interested in that. I always figured I wanted a woman to want me. I take it you’re not the same because what woman would want you?”

I almost smile. I want Vladimir put in his place. I want him to feel bad for how he treated me.

This vindicative side is not normally who I am. Getting kidnapped changes a person.

Vladimir’s scowl deepens. “I’m taking her with me.”

“No.” Damien draws me closer to him. I don’t fight it.

“Give her to me.”

“No,” he repeats. Damien’s tone isn’t aggressive. In fact, it’s the opposite. Calm and collected. He’s a man who doesn’t have a care in the world. I wish I could live my life like that.

“I’m taking her.” Vladimir comes right for me, but Damien pushes me behind him and punches Vladimir in the face. The two end up in a fistfight as Damien’s bouncers run over.

I take that opportunity to run away myself.

The men don’t pay me any attention as I sprint down the steps and into the crowded club. Let them fight over me. I don’t care. I just want to be safe again. That’s all I want.

But I don’t make it far before someone grabs my arm. Turning around, I that it’s Damien. Vladimir is getting escorted out of the club by the bouncers. I hope that’s the last time I’ll ever see him.

“Let me go,” I tell Damien.

To his credit, he does. “I just didn’t want you running out there. It’s a dangerous world.”

“I want to go home. Please don’t stop me.”

He rocks back on his heels. “Listen, let’s go upstairs and talk. I won’t hurt you.”

For some strange reason, I believe him. But then, maybe my gut is off. Maybe it’s telling me to trust a man who could easily hurt me.

I follow Damien upstairs and to a private booth. Just the two of us. I’m suddenly very aware of my body sitting so close to Damien. A man like him—both handsome and powerful—is a heady combination.

“So, you want to go home,” he says.

“Yes. Can you help me?”

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