Page 22 of Solemn Vow

His rock-hard body drapes over mine until his mouth presses against my ear.

“I’ve been too nice. Too lenient. That stops now,moy sladkiy voin.”

The distinct jingle of a belt buckle being unlatched makes me freeze, only to melt into a full panic at the zip of leather rubbing against denim as his belt is yanked off.

“No! Viktor, don’t you dare!”I fight harder to get up and away from him.

“These yoga pants are in my way.” He peels my leggings over my ass, pushing them down to my knees, and then further still to my ankles. The warm air of the room brushes across my bare cheeks. Of all days to wear a thong.

“Viktor. Do not do this.” I spread my fingers, putting as much of my weight into my palms as I can. I need leverage if I’m going to shove out of his grasp.

“We’re done playing your game,moy sladkiy voin.” His body covers mine again. The fabric of his jeans is rough against my bare skin. His breath blows my hair from my cheek when he brings his mouth to my ear.

“Two cars were stolen within a block of Kraze last night,” he informs me. I stop struggling, focusing on what he’s telling me. Michael Agosti owns almost every lot in that neighborhood.

“What does that have to do with me?” I focus on keeping my voice steady.

“Jimmy spent three years behind bars for auto theft. He’s Michael Agosti’s nephew and you have a past with him.” He readjusts his body, exposing my ass to the air again.

“Tell me what that past is and tell the truth.” He cups my ass; his fingernails dig into the flesh on the underside of my ass cheek.

I close my eyes against the bite of his fingers, against the warm current of arousal that floods my core. Why won’t he leave well enough alone?

“Let me up and I’ll tell you,” I offer. It’s easier to think when there isn’t the threat of a belt dangling over my bare ass.

He brings his hand back and smacks my ass hard. The jolt of it jerks me forward. The table inches across the floor from the impact.

“No.” He grabs my ass again. “Tell me now,moy sladkiy voin. I can use my belt if that will help you.” He drops the leather beast in front of my face on the table. It’s thick and well worn. The leather looks soft and supple. I have no doubt what it can do across my bare ass.

The horrifying truth: I almost want to feel it.

“I hate you, Viktor. I swear I hate you.” I grit my teeth as I make my proclamation. It’s a bold lie. It’s not him I hate, it’s this reaction. This awful need to feel his power over me, to make me fall into him.

“My little liar.” He snatches up the belt.

I scramble; suddenly my brain wakes up to the danger it’s just put me in, but it’s too late.

The leather lashes across my ass. White, hot, blinding pain spirals across my skin. I open my mouth to scream, but no sound registers. Another lash, then another, and finally my voice returns.

“Viktor! No!” I try to get up, to kick out, but the man is a master at keeping me exactly where he wants me. My feet strike nothing but air, and my ass continues to spark beneath his belt.

“Are you ready to be honest, or do you need more convincing?” He gives me a chance to answer to his satisfaction.

I suck in a breath. I can’t have him get involved. Jimmy already thinks that I can get the cash from the Petrov family. If I tell Viktor everything, he’ll step in, and Jimmy will really want more money from me.

“Please. No more.” I slap the table.

I should have left Chicago. I should have run far away from here when Jimmy went away. But I didn’t, and now here I am. In this situation.

His fingertip trails across my ass. “Tell me,moy sladkiy voin, what is your business with the Agosti family? Do you still work for them?”

I shake my head. “No! I don’t work for them. I don’t work for anyone. I do hair and makeup. That’s it!”

“But you worked for them before, is that right?” His fingernail scratches across my flesh, making me rise up to my toes.

I swing my arm back, fumbling around until I grasp his wrist. Yanking as hard as I can, I try to pull his hand away, but he’s stronger.

“Put your hand back on the table.” His voice is so low, so soft, it sends a tremor through me. I think we’ve reached the edge of his patience.

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