Page 16 of Dark Promise

I slide into the seat, my heart pounding, my thoughts a tangle of confusion and something I don’t want to name. Nikolai climbs in after me, the door slamming shut behind him. His broad frame fills my vision, the tension in the air thickening with each breath I take. Even sitting still, he takes up too much space, too much air, too much attention. He’s an oppressive presence and I despise how much I feel it.

It takes a moment for my brain to catch up, to fully register what’s happening. The way Nikolai took down those men…men hired by theIvanovs…

What the hell is happening?

None of this makes sense. My stomach twists, a cocktail of fear and fury churning inside me. I should thank him. I should punch him in the balls. I should—

I need to get the hell out of this car. I need to get away from Nikolai. My hand shoots toward the door handle.

It’s locked.

“Relax,” Nikolai says, his deep voice calm, almost bored.

“Why is the door locked?” My voice is sharp, laced with panic.

His gaze flicks to mine, cool, unbothered. “Because I locked it.”

I yank on the handle. “Unlock it. Let me out. This isn’t my car.”

“No, it’s mine. And you’re staying right where you are.” He leans back, his expression calm. Infuriating. Condescending, like I’m some unruly child who doesn’t know what’s best for her.

The divider window between the backseat and the driver’s compartment is open. The driver’s eyes meet mine in the rear-view mirror, his expression neutral, detached.

“Let me out of here,” I say, forcing my voice to convey every iota of command I can summon.

“Mr. Ivanov?” the driver says.

“We’re fine, Piotr,” Nikolai replies smoothly. “Drive.”

The divider slides up, leaving me alone with Nikolai.

I glare at him, anger melding with my fear. “This is insane. My brother —

He cuts me off smoothly. “Your brother isn’t here.”

I keep talking as if he hadn’t interrupted. “Leo is going to fucking kill you for this, you piece of shit. You’re kidnapping the sister of Leo Russo. Damian Russo. Dante. Cassio. Do you know what my brothers will do to you?”

“Your brothers aren’t here,” he reiterates, his tone maddeningly calm. “You are alone. So be smart. Stop wasting energy trying to fight me.”

I ball my fists, every muscle in my body screaming for action. But what can I do against someone like him. Nikolai Ivanov is a weapon wrapped in expensive clothing and sharp arrogance.

“My brothers are going to peel the flesh from your bones. Do you have any idea what Cassio can do with a knife? He’ll—”

“Peel the flesh from my bones. Yes, you’ve mentioned. Very creative.” His expression is razor-sharp and completely dismissive. It makes me want to launch myself at him, damn the consequences. “You think I didn’t account for your brothers before I made my move?” He holds out his hand, palm up. “Give me your phone.”

I blink at him, incredulous. “No.”

His jaw tightens, but his voice remains calm, laced with an edge of steel. “I wasn’t asking, Sabina.”

I lean back against the seat, crossing my arms. “Go to hell.”

A slow, dangerous smile spreads across his face, and something dark and sharp flickers in his eyes.

“Either you hand it to me now, or I search every inch of you until I find it.” His voice drops, soft and lethal, making my pulse spike. “And believe me, little girl, I will be thorough in my search.”

The heat of his words coils low in my belly, and I hate it. Hate him. Hate the way my body betrays me. With a glare that could set him on fire, I yank the phone from my pocket and slap it into his waiting hand.

He slips it into his coat pocket without even glancing at it.

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