Page 29 of Dancing With Desire

“Don’t let it happen again, Marshall. I can’t fucking lose her,” I mutter as I run my hands through my hair.When did I get so fucking soft?If I’m too harsh on Marshall again, she’ll never forgive me.

“Yes, boss,” he says, falling into step beside me as we head back into the main room. “Everything okay?”

“Fuck, Marshall, I have no idea. One minute, I’m riding on cloud nine, and the next, she’s got me by the balls.” Marshall laughs, and I frown. “Something funny?”

“Come on, boss. When has she ever made anything easy for you? You just gotta ride this out.”

And I know he’s right. This man has never failed me, and in recent weeks, he’s become one of the only men I can trust with her. I pat him on the shoulder. “You’re right. She’s mine, and if it means I have to take out the whole fucking family for her to be safe, then so be it.”

I’ve never been more certain of anything in my life. I would give up everything to see her happy. I would do anything she asked to make up for all my errors and bad judgement.

We are meant for each other.

TORI

I’m sipping a glass of wine when I feel him press up against my back. “Tell me what to do to make it right,” Dmitry murmurs in my ear.

“Fuck off and leave me to enjoy the evening?”

“Watch your mouth, Victoria, or I might have to fill it with something more useful.”

I like his veiled threats. They have me weak at the knees, but if I’m going to make him regret putting me at risk, I can’t fall at the first hurdle. Just because we shared an intimate moment . . . again . . . doesn’t mean we’re okay. “How will I ever meet anyone new if you keep following me around?” I tease.

I hear a light snort of laughter and then his hand goes to the back of my neck, gently squeezing. “We already went over thatpart, Victoria. So, again, tell me what to do so we can speed this process along.”

I turn to face him, and that sexy smirk is in place as his eyes run over my face. “For tonight, we’ll pretend we’re the happiest couple in the room.”

“And then?” he asks, and I shrug, taking another sip of wine. “I will kill them both, mykrasota. That is the end game. Just have a little patience.”

I arch a brow. “You think that’s why I’m not forgiving you?”

“Isn’t it?”

I place a hand to his cheek and shake my head. “No, Dmitry. Not everyone in your life expects you to kill for them.”

“I don’t know how else to make it right,” he admits, glancing at the floor.Fuck, he looks so vulnerable.

I fight the urge to kiss him senseless. “Just give me time,” I whisper. He catches my eye, and I offer a small smile.

He returns it, taking the glass of wine from me and sipping it. “It’s not good for you or the baby,” he adds. He drinks the rest of the glass then brings his mouth to mine. I open, and he spills some of the wine into my mouth. There’s a heated look in his eye as I swallow. “You’re driving me crazy,” he murmurs against my lips.

“Good. Now, I want to speak with your father.”

“Absolutely not,” he says firmly.

“With or without your permission is fine by me,” I add, beginning to walk away.

“Okay,” he hisses, grabbing my wrist. “At least tell me why.”

“I need him to know I’m not scared of him.”

“I think he gets the message.”

“Do you want my forgiveness or not?” I ask, arching a brow.

“Don’t do this,” he whispers, his tone pleading.

“We’re in a roomful of people, Dmitry. You have so many men watching my every move. Nothing bad will happen.”

---