Page 10 of Solemn Vow

“Yeah. I did.” I shove my hands into my pockets.

“What are you doing here anyway?” He looks over my shoulder, down the street as if I’ve left breadcrumbs for him to find.

“I was just getting a cup of coffee with a friend.” The chill must be freezing my brain. That’s the best I could come up with.

“A friend?” His eyes narrow, still looking behind me, like he’s seeing something he’s not happy about.

I make the mistake of turning to follow his glare. My stomach does several flips before taking a nosedive.

Jimmy stands outside the diner, texting on his phone.

He knew about Izzy being married to Andrei; he’ll recognize Viktor if he looks this way.

“It’s too cold to just stand here.” I brush past him and start walking away. He won’t be able to let me walk alone, he’ll follow. And maybe then Jimmy won’t see him.

I’m right. The arrogant man catches up to me in two strides.

“You’re friends with that man?” He presses his hand flat against the small of my back, leading me around the corner to where his SUV is parked.

I wouldn’t park a junk car on this street, but his car sits perfectly safe out in the open. It’s the little symbol on the license plates, I think. A family crest. It acts as a neon sign warning anyone about touching it.

“What man?” He could be talking about anyone else on the street. Jimmy hadn’t been the only one around; there were at least two passed out against the building. Maybe if I convince myself, I can convince him.

He pulls me to a stop at the passenger side door of his car, setting his dark stare on me again.

“Marlena. Tell me the truth. No more lying, no more secrets. What are you doing in this part of town and how do you know that man?” His left eyebrow lifts a fraction. He’s waiting, but he’s not patient.

“Viktor. What I do is my business, not yours.” I’m amazed I can keep my voice so steady while his glare sends rockets of electricity through my body. At least for the moment, my mind is still mine to control.

He leans down, his nose only a sliver from mine.

“I’m making it my business.” His mouth quirks a little to the side. I can’t take my eyes from his lips. They’re so full, so masculine, and so close to mine.

Dammit. What is wrong with me?

It’s the stress from Jimmy extorting me for everything I have and more. That has to be it, because under no circumstance would I stand on the street and let some guy talk to me like this. Nor would it make me want to kiss him.

Kiss him?

I really am losing it.

“Marlena. Tell me,” he says, and I realize I’ve been staring at him instead of answering.

“He’s no one, Viktor.” I tear my gaze away from his mouth and force myself to look into his eyes.

Not much better. There’s heat there. A darkness that seems to be pulling me right into him.

“I’m cold. I need to get home. I have things to do today.” I fold my arms over my chest and begin rubbing them. This coat isn’t the warmest, and the chill is blowing right through the thin material.

He brushes my hands away and takes over warming me up with his huge, warm, masculine hands. My toes curl into my shoes.

I try to remind myself that I’m a loner. I don’t need or want a man in my life. I try, but with the way he’s looking at me and the heat his touch is creating, I’m not sure if I’m being so honest.

“I’ll take you home.” He opens the passenger door and offers me a hand to help me up.

“The bus is fine.” Distance. I need distance from him.

He lets out a hard breath through his nose. There’s a cloud from the cold air. The man looks more bull now than man. It only makes him more appealing.

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