Page 20 of Smoke and Shadows

Ignoring her, Viktor turned to Brian. “You should leave.”

Marissa’s jaw slackened in outrage, and her neighbor was speechless in the face of Viktor’s rudeness.How dare he start ordering her guests from her house?Brian actually sputtered and shot her an aggrieved look.

“Marissa? You work for this asshole?” Brian asked when he managed to speak.

“With.” She corrected. Facing Viktor, she said throughgritted teeth, “You’re the one leaving. You have no right demanding my time after working hours.”

Viktor’s brow shot up before he balanced back on his heels and crossed his arms.

She wanted to scream in frustration. She couldn’t do this in front of Brian and Viktor knew it.

She looked at her neighbor apologetically. “I have to handle this, Brian. It’s a high-profile project and I,” she glared at Viktor, “have no desire to be blamed for its failure.”

“I don’t want to leave you—” Brian began.

“Bri,” Marissa said sharply. “Go! I’ll be fine. I’m the one with a gun.”

“Well, if you shoot him, I didn’t see or hear anything,” Brian retorted. Walking up to her, he brushed her lips with his, surprising her. Her eyes snapped to Viktor’s and she flinched because the promise of retribution in them sent her heart racing.

When the door closed behind Brian, Viktor crossed the distance between them. A hand shot out to firmly, but gently grasp her nape, bringing her nose to nose with him.

“I thought I made myself clear.” Viktor enunciated each word. “We’re happening. And while we’re happening—only I touch you—only I put my mouth on yours—and—only—I—fuck—you. I do not fucking share.”

Marissa tried to escape from his dominant hold, but he tightened his grip, not enough to hurt her, but enough to keep her head where it was. Her lips curled cynically. “You’ve come to that conclusion yourself. Well, guess what? I’m not twenty-eight years old anymore. I’m not one of your subs. So get your hands off me before I really do shoot you.”

Of course, Viktor grabbed the gun out of her hand and tucked it behind his cargo pants.How does he freaking do this? She was a damned CIA agent for Christ’s sake.

“You were saying?” This time there was a smirk on his face.

“Go to hell, Viktor.”

“Already been there, Marissa. Hell spit me back out,” Viktor said dryly. His eyes took on a feral gleam. “So, sweetheart, have you fucked the neighbor?”

“It’s none of your business.”

“It really is. Answer—the—question.”

“He’s my fuck-buddy—” Marissa’s voice faltered when she saw Viktor’s face darken into a ferocious scowl. “Viktor—”

“Wrong answer,” Viktor suddenly released her. “Pack your shit.”

“What?”

“You’re moving in with me right fucking now.”

Marissa recoiled because she had never seen him this furious before.

“Viktor—”

“I swear to God, Marissa,” Viktor’s gravelly voice muttered, visibly struggling for control. “Move your ass right now, or you’ll be leaving with the clothes on your back.” He took a menacing step toward her. “Pack your fucking shit!”

Eight years melted away as Viktor’s forceful words slammed her into retreating. He was as intense and domineering as ever.

Her head bowed. She took a couple of meek steps toward the stairs and stopped. Raising her head, she turned around.

“No.” Her eyes cut to his defiantly.

The muscle tic on his jaw became more pronounced as he regarded her with icy blue eyes. He was about to say something when she said, “I can’t do this with you again.”

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