Page 114 of About Love and Revenge

“Home. I sent half a dozen of our best men to take her, but you must come to me. I have someone here that you’ll definitely want to meet.”

“Leandros? Was he the one who tried to take her?”

“No, it was Naim. Exit through the back door of the event. There's a car waiting for you. I suggest you think very carefully along the way. You’re going to have to make a decision.”

During the ten minutes that separate me from the place where Grigori took Naim, my head boils.

I thought about calling home to check on her, but I don't want to mix the hate I'm feeling right now with my Elina.

When we arrive at an abandoned factory, there is no sign of life there, but as soon as the car pulls up, I see the man who is like my shadow approaching the door.

“Is she hurt?” I repeat what I asked a few months ago, when the same bastard tried to kidnap her inside our house.

“No, just terrified.”

“How did it happen?”

“I prefer to explain later. Maybe then I won't become one of your least favorite people in the world.”

“No, I want to know now.”

“I was following her. I wouldn't leave you vulnerable—that's the first thing you need to know. On the other hand, I was sure that Naim would only show himself if he thought she was unprotected, so I allowed him to get to her.”

Two steps and I'm nose-to-nose with him. “No matter what, never put her at risk again. I don't care what kind of strategy you come up with to ensure her safety, but don'teverlet anyone get close to her like that, or our relationship will be over.”

“You’ve always trusted me.”

“And I still do. That's the only reason you haven’t just been fired, but don't leave my woman unprotected again, or you and your entire team will be out.”I have no doubt he had it all under control, or we wouldn't be having this conversation. But I don't like to imagine her being scared for even a moment.

“I understand what you're feeling. It won't happen again, but we needed a permanent solution to this problem. Now, let's go inside. We can't stay here for long. You’ll have to make a choice.”

"His men, where are they?"

“We've already taken care of them.”

Just as in stories where the villain is waiting for the good guy in a dark warehouse, the atmosphere is dark and icy.

The only difference, unfortunately for Naim, is that I'm far from being the good guy.

Whatever his intentions were in trying to get her away from the party, this part of our lives ends here.

I take off my tuxedo jacket and roll my shirt sleeves up to my elbows.I walk over to where the sheik is, and Grigori leans calmly in the doorway.

Naim waits in a chair, legs crossed, as if he doesn't give a fuck.

Only, I know he's faking it.

The bastard has lived a life of excess, hiding behind his fortune, hurting women and exploiting the weak, secure on his throne of power. So I don't doubt for a second that he's terrified, which is a good feeling for him to have right now.

He's not tied up or wearing handcuffs. Barring the eccentricity of the location, onlookers might think we’re actually having a business meeting.

“You just signed your death warrant,” he says as soon as he sees me.

If I weren't so angry, I would be able to smile.

He's definitely not the smartest cookie in the jar. Another man in his situation would keep his fucking mouth shut until he knew what he was dealing with. Instead, however, the bastard does what he's done all his life: threatens and tries to intimidate.

“I could say the same of you, but I think you already know that.”I sit across from him, legs apart, elbows resting on my knees. “Want to know something? I was hoping it wouldn't come to this. I knew you wouldn't win any awards for intelligence, but I never thought you were stupid enough to come to my country for the second time.”

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