Page 30 of Dancing With Desire

He releases my wrist, even though he’s clearly not happy about it, and I head over to where Vladimir is seated. “So brave,” he mutters with a smirk. I take a seat uninvited and see the way his fists clench at the disrespect. “Tell me, little brave one, why have you not told my son the truth?”

“And have him end you?” I ask with a laugh. “And why would I want to make it so easy on you?”

“End me?” He scoffs. “There are rules in our world, Victoria. Rules that even Dmitry cannot break.”

“So, why haven’tyoutold him?”

His eyes narrow, but the smirk stays in place. “I don’t know what game you’re playing-”

I lean forward. “I’ll tell you, shall I?” He doesn’t reply, so I continue. “You’re going to live long enough to see me marry your son.”

“Bullshit.”

I grin. “You’ll have front row seats, and we’ll invite every single important person in Dmitry’s life. You’ll get to witness your son marry the woman you hate, the woman you should have killed the second you had a chance to, because, Vladimir,” I lean even closer, “you’ll never get another shot.”

“You think?”

“I know. And what’s more, Dmitry will announce the pregnancy, and everyone in your world will know I’m carrying an heir to your empire. Surely, there are rules against taking out the heir in your world?”

He sniggers. “Yes, but not rules to stop me killing the heir’s mother. The second you give birth to that bastard, I’ll have you shot.”

“I’m so glad we have a plan,” I say, pushing to my feet.

Before I can step away, he grabs my wrist, squeezing so hard, I catch my breath. I see Marshall move fast, but I hold my free hand up to stop him, shaking my head slightly. I daren’t evenlook at Dmitry. Vladimir rises to his feet, and I feel his warm breath in my ear. “Maybe I should just end you now,” he hisses.

“Then you’d follow me to hell,” I warn. “Right now, there are at least twenty men with their hands on their guns, itching to pull the trigger and end your sorry arse.”

“A cat-and-mouse game sounds much more appealing.” He tugs me closer. “And next time I have you tied up, I’ll not hesitate to put an end to you. After I’ve made you regret threatening me, of course.”

“I look forward to it,” I tell him.

I smirk, yanking my wrist free and moving away. My legs threaten to give way, shaking so uncontrollably, they almost buckle. Phoebe grabs my hand. “What the hell was that about?” she hisses, falling into step beside me.

“I needed to show him I’m not scared.”

“And you couldn’t do that in an email?” she mutters, leading me towards the bar.

“I prefer a personal touch.”

Dmitry comes up behind me, wrapping his arms around my waist. “You crazy little bitch,” he whispers, pressing kisses to my neck. “I need to be inside you.”

I laugh, untangling myself. “We did that part already.”

“Let me come back to yours tonight, please?”

“Are you begging, Mr. Volkov?”

“Yes,” he says firmly.

“I’ll think about it,” I say with a grin.

I watchas Vivian tries her best to gain Dmitry’s attention. He’d been speaking to a group of important-looking men when she’d jostled her way in beside him, hooking her arm in his, which Inoted he’d soon removed, but it hasn’t stopped her trying. Every time she speaks, she places her hand on his arm in a loving manner. Months ago, this would have been enough to send me into a rage, but now I’m watching them, I see it. I see what he’s been telling me all along—he doesn’t like her advances and shifts uncomfortably at every opportunity to move away from her wandering hands.

“You’re not going to bust over there and scream at her?” asks Phoebe, smirking.

“I’m not sure I like the new irresponsible you,” I reply, not shifting my eyes from Dmitry. “He wants to stay over tonight,” I add.

“Oh, and?”

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