Page 18 of Fiercely Protective

He walked over to the bar, poured a glass of some kind of amber-colored liquor, and strolled back to sit by me on the sofa. I watched as he took a sip of his drink and then casually leaned back as if he were about to read a book or watch a movie. As if everything that had happened tonight was just normal day-to-day stuff.

“You can’t keep me here.”

He took another sip of his drink before answering. “Darling, you have no idea what I can do. You are here because I wish you to be, and you will stay for as long as I want you. Regardless, this is the safest place for you.” His voice was soft but alarming and held the certainty of a man who was never deprived of anything.

I blew out a heavy breath, knowing that arguing with him would get me nowhere. “Please, take the cuffs off. They are too tight and cutting into my wrists.” I saw a spark of concern in his eyes before he pushed me forward, and I heard metal clickingand then the cuffs were released from my wrists. I immediately began rubbing the red marks left behind on my skin from the restraints while staring at the man sitting beside me.

He picked up the glass and took another drink. “The man I was meeting with tonight was Nickolai Volkoff. I don’t expect you to know who he is or what he does, but he is one of the most dangerous men in the country. When he saw you tonight, he wanted you.”

“He wanted me?”

His lips turned up slightly in a mocking grin. “That was the reason for the dramatic display when I got you out of the room. Nickolai is the leader of the Volkoff Bratva. He usually takes what he wants.”

My eyes rolled. “Unlike you?” From the slight grin he gave me I knew my sarcasm had not been missed. Then I shook my head in confusion. “Why would he want me?”

His brow furrowed as he studied me. “It amazes me that a woman that looks like you can’t see your sex appeal. That you can’t recognize the desire men have in their eyes when they look over your body.” He stood up and walked to the other side of the room, then turned to face me, his hands in his pockets as he leaned back against the wall. “Nik might not have been the original target tonight outside the club, and until I know for certain who was behind the attack and the reason for it, you will stay here with me where I can protect you.”

“Why do I need protection? I don’t know him, and if I’m honest, I don’t know you either. I don’t know anything. So, if I am not the target and not in any way connected to either of you, why would you insist that I stay here, against my will, no less?I am beginning to think that you are using that as an excuse to keep me here.”

His smile held no humor. “Darling, I don’t need an excuse. Like I said before, if I want you to be here, that is where you will be, and you will stay until I say you can leave. There aren’t many who would oppose me. Do I make myself clear, Angel? You have nothing to fear as you are under my protection, but don’t try running from me again, Bri. I have already allowed you to test my patience to its limits.”

I met his eyes without flinching. “You expect me to just accept all of this? To allow you to keep me here against my wishes?”

He grinned as if he thought the defiance in my tone was a subtle challenge, and he liked it. “Is it truly against your will? Last night at the club you seemed willing enough, and I would bet money that with a little bit of coercion on my part, you would be willing right now.”

I wanted to slap his smug face. “Last night was a mistake.” My voice was soft, and I looked away from the intensity in his eyes.

“No.” He crossed the room quickly, gripped my chin, and turned my face back to his. “Last night was not a mistake, Bri. It was destiny. You walked into my club, into my life, and from the moment I saw you, I knew you were supposed to be mine. I was hoping for an easier transition for you, but as it is, your entrance into my world, into my life, will not be as simple as I would have hoped.”

I tried to pull my eyes from his, but no matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t. “What kind of man are you? What kind of life do you lead?”

I watched his eyes darken and instantly wondered if the question angered him.

Regardless of the icy expression on his face, I continued probing for answers. “I know you are in business with the Russian mob, and I suspect you are involved in other criminal enterprises. But taking me and keeping me here when I have so clearly stated that I want no part of this, is asinine. What kind of a man even thinks this is acceptable?”

He finished off his drink and then moved to stand in front of me. “I will tell you the kind of man I am. When I saw you walk into my club last night, I knew I wanted you before I even stepped forward and offered to take you upstairs. You looked out of place, like you were lost, as if an innocent angel had walked through the wrong door. I have not been innocent for a long time, Bri, if I have ever been innocent at all, and I felt the need to pull you into the darkness with me, even if my doing so steals that innocence away from you. So, you can see little angel, there is nowhere you can run to escape me; this is my city. I control almost everything that goes on here. Trying to leave is just foolish and will only make me angry. You should enjoy what I can give you and be happy for the protection I offer. Because as long as you are with me, no one would dare touch you.”

His words left me speechless. My hands trembled as I pressed back against the sofa, trying to put as much distance between us as possible. “You said you wouldn’t hurt me.” My voice was barely audible, almost a shaky whisper.

His hand cupped my cheek, his touch soft. “Darling, I am indeed the monster you perceive me to be, but I meant what I said, I will not hurt you. I will, however, have you in my bed.”

Even though the man scared the shit out of me, I still felt my anger building inside me. He thinks he can snap his fingers and get whatever he wants, but I was not going to give in that easily. And to be honest, I was pissed at myself for feeling desire whenever he mentioned having me in his bed or the longing that pulsed through me at his touch.

“I disagree. You may control this city and you may have a plethora of people willing to do your bidding, but I am not one of them. So, I will play your little game until you give up and decide to let me go. I assure you there is easier prey out there for you to hunt.”

He moved back to the bar and refilled his glass before walking across the room and handing it to me.

“Oh, I am aware that there are other women who would easily fall into my bed. Who would be much more appreciative of the offer you have received, but where is the challenge in that? The fact that you continue to deny the obvious attraction and desire you have intrigues me. And I like a good challenge.”

I rolled my eyes at his arrogance. “You would think that, but there is nothing you can do to make me want you, to want this. Now, if we are finished, I would like to go to my room.”

He blocked my path and when I went to move around him, he gripped my arm and pulled me closer. “Tsk, tsk, tsk. Do you think that after the little stunt you pulled earlier, I would allow you to have the freedom of your own room? That offer has been rescinded, sweetheart. You will stay with me.”

I jerked my arm back, trying to free myself from his grip. “If you think that is going to happen, then you are not nearly as smart as I thought.”

His hand shot out and gripped my chin, not enough to hurt, but it got my attention. “I have given you more leeway than I have given to anyone before, but don’t try to take advantage of my leniency.” He looked over to where he had tossed the discarded handcuffs. My eyes followed his and I lunged for them, but he was faster. He gripped my arm and pulled me closer to him before dangling them in front of my face. “Since you are planning on fighting your arrangements, I suppose these will come in handy.”

My eyes narrowed and I tried to pull away. “Let me go.”

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