She cries out, so I lock my other hand over her mouth.

“Don’t make this harder than it is, Raisa,” I growl against her ear. Having her pinned beneath me like this with her legs spread wide and her dress riding high over her hips—it's making my cock fucking hard again and that’s the last thing I need right now but her body feels too good underneath me.

She is so small in my hands that she doesn’t stand a chance against me. I could do whatever I wanted to her right now.

Fuck.

Get a grip.

Stop this.

Get her inside and lock the fucking doors. You are not a monster. You are a man and you will treat her with respect even if you have been forced to kidnap her against her will.

I push myself off her, but drag her up with me at the same time so that she can’t make another run for it. “Raisa,” I warn her with one utterance of her name. “Walk with me or I will carry you in.”

“I’m not going anywhere with you,” she snaps.

I shake my head. “Fine. Don’t say I didn’t give you an option.”

She shouts furiously as I lift her off the ground, throw her over my shoulder and carry her into the house.

Inside, I set her down and lock the front door. She immediately bolts away from me, trying to find a way out.

I sigh and run my fingers through my hair.

This is going to be a lot more work than I imagined it would be.

She’s far feistier than I was prepared for.

I pick up my phone and dial Marcus, ignoring the sounds coming from upstairs. I know there is nowhere for her to go. She’s locked in. I made sure everything was secure before I left this evening.

“Marcus,” I say, as he answers the phone.

“Oleg, how are you tonight? Did everything go according to plan? We did run a full sweep of the property after you left—just to double check everything.”

“Yeah, no, that’s great, but listen. I actually want to get a second team on the perimeter of the property. They can patrol inside the garden area. I want to be extra careful.”

“No problem. I’ll have a team put together in the next hour. I’ll bring them over myself and give them the rundown.”

“Perfect. No one is to come inside the house, though.”

“Noted. Also, seeing as you are on track, do you want me to confirm for the priest?”

“Yes, definitely.”

Marcus has been my righthand man for years. He knows the ins and outs of my life better than anyone. He has saved my life more times than I can count.

After my call with him I walk upstairs to find Raisa.

I hear a crashing sound coming from the guest bedroom, so I head in that direction.

Walking in, I lean against the door frame with my arms folded across my chest. I just watch her for a moment. She is picking things up off the dresser and throwing them against the sliding doors that lead out into the balcony.

“Why don’t you try the chair? It’s heavier.” I say, and she jumps around to face me with wide, terrified eyes.

“Just let me go,” she begs.

“I can’t do that,” I say with a sigh. “And listen—I am about to give you another choice. Pay attention because I will only say this once.”