Page 27 of Pure Vengeance

“I hate you,” she mutters. “I really fucking hate you.”

“I don’t think that’s true, but you can keep thinking it if it helps you.”

“Helps me what? My brother’s dead, you’re holding me hostage, and everything in my life has been taken from me.” She shoves up to her feet, anger boils just below the surface. It’s not at me, not all of it, but I don’t think she knows it.

“Claire, think before you do something you’re going to regret,” I warn as she moves toward me. I ready myself, thinkingshe’s going to throw her body into mine and try to hurt me. But at the last moment, she dodges me and bolts for the door.

I sigh as the door flings open and she takes off.

Poor girl.

Actually thinking she’s going to get out of this house before she’s caught.

I take my time, walking down the hall toward the front door. Already, she’s screaming.

Dimitri has her.

Silly girl.

“Let me go! Now!” Her rage echoes off the walls.

“Dmitri.” I step into the foyer. He’s got her by the arm, looking at me with an expression that would make me laugh if it weren’t for the hellcat of a woman pummeling him with her fists. He won’t touch her other than to hold her, else he risks losing a finger.

“I’ll take it from here.” I give him a little nod and he lets her go. All of her squirming makes her fumble backward until she trips over her own foot and falls ass first to the ground.

Dmitri steps around her and disappears down the hallway.

She’s not done yet.

She scrambles to her feet and grabs hold of the doorknob. I’m almost tempted to let her make it to the gates before I catch her, but she’s going to hurt herself if she keeps this up much longer.

Anchoring my arm around her waist, I easily pick her up off the floor. She holds onto the doorknob as though it’s some lifeline that will save her.

Silly girl.

Nothing will save her.

Not from me.

“If you don’t let go, I’ll give you your punishment right here in the foyer. My staff will hear. My men will hear, maybe a few will see when they come running at the sound of your screams.”I simply hold her; I don’t need to tug. She’ll either obey, or she won’t.

The consequence of that will be hers to bear.

With a huff, she drops her grip.

“Good girl.” I put her back on her feet. “Back to the office.” I point to the hall.

“No.” She shakes her head. “You can just fuck off with all that.”

“Oh?” I laugh. Her fire is back, burning brighter than ever. It’s all aimed at me, and that’s fine. I don’t like that dimness I witnessed in the office. I’ll take the fire and brimstone any time.

“Fine, we’ll do this your way.” I grab hold of her hair, sinking my hand up beneath the bun and fisting at the roots. She howls, but I don’t give a fuck.

She chose this.

“Like I said.” I shove her down until she’s bent over. “Back to the office.”

She fights me, trying to hit me, but she moves her feet.

---