Page 23 of Niko's Printsessa

Instead, I focus on my task and step back.

She abruptly makes space, but it doesn’t take long for her to discover the necklace I’ve fastened around her neck.

She unsuccessfully searches for the clasp.

“It’s a locking clasp,Printsessa.” I proudly hold up a small piece of hardware. “It has a hex-screw locking mechanism and this screwdriver key is the only key that can unlock it.”

She knows this is the same necklace as Tali’s and Summer’s and it also has a tracker embedded in it. She roars towards me, pounding her fists against my chest. “You are an asshole! A cruel asshole.”

I hold her fists against my torso, and fuck if her anger doesn’t stir something inside me. I imagine makeup sex with Becca- her scratching and biting while I pin her hands above her head and rail her against the wall, I’d fuck her so hard pictures would crash down around us. Or ramming her from behind with her bare beasts heaving against the glass of the window. Or me on the couch pinching her nipples as she scratches at my chest and rides my cock.

“A cruel asshole that will keep you safe.” My calm voice only enrages her more.

“This is criminal!”

“Well, I’m a criminal so that tracks.” I wink and she screams her frustration.

“This isn’t funny! I am not a possession!”

“No. You’re a princess who refuses to listen.” Why can’t she get it?

“I’m nobody’s princess and I am certainly noone’s damsel in distress!”

“Princess, damsel, neither, it won’t matter if some crazy fucker harms you! If anything happened to you, I'd.. I'd.”

"What? Lose your ego?" she taunts.

"I'd fucking die, Becca. Jesus Fuck!"

"Andrei and Sergei wouldn't kill you."

"They wouldn't have to. I'd have no reason to live if I was no longer in your orbit."

She suddenly stops fighting the fire fades from her eyes, replaced with something I can't decipher, but it's gone in an instant.

I guess we're ignoring what I just said, but maybe she's doing me a favor.

Her voice cracks, “I’m not trying to be difficult, but I have employees that depend on me. Can’t your calvary guard me at the distillery? There’s a shipment of retail items coming in today.”

Her statement makes me think. I reluctantly let her go and step back. “Did you fire anyone recently?”

“No. In fact, we just had a bunch of interviews. I hired three new people.”

“Did you conduct the interviews, yourself?”

“Of course. You should've seen some of the applicants. They dress like slobs, smack gum when they talk, and blatantly lie about their experience.”

“Were any of them agitated.”

“How would I know?”

“Think about it. Both threats have been through the distillery. They’re connected somehow.”

“Both threats? As in plural?”

I shake my head. “Shit.”

Fear and anger flash across her face. “I don't get it, why me? I just want to work, paint, and let off some steam once in a while.”