Page 18 of Perfect Stalker

“TheBratva?” She interrupts, her eyes widening in disbelief. “You’re involved with the Russian mafia?”

I nod. “I am theBratva, Jenny. At least, a significant part of it, and under my protection, you’re untouchable. Stephen, or anyone else who might wish you harm, wouldn’t dare.”

Her face pales, and she takes a step back. “This is insane. You’re insane. I can’t... I won’t be a part of this.”

“You already are,” I say, softening my voice. “From the moment I saved you, you became mine to protect.”

She shakes her head vehemently. “No. I’m not yours. I’m not anyone’s. I’m leaving, and you can’t stop me.”

As she moves toward the door, I block her path. “Jenny, please. Listen to me. I know this is overwhelming, but?—”

“Overwhelming?” She laughs bitterly. “That’s an understatement. You’ve turned my life upside down, Ivan. You’ve invaded my privacy, manipulated me, and now you’re telling me you’re some kind of mafia boss? How am I supposed to react to that?”

I reach out to touch her arm, but she flinches away. The rejection stings, but I press on. “I never meant to hurt you,kotik. Everything I’ve done has been to keep you safe.”

Her eyes narrow. “Safe? By lying to me? By controlling every aspect of my life without my knowledge or consent?”

I lift a shoulder. “It’s not that simple. The world I live in is dangerous. Complicated. I wanted to protect you from it, but protecting you didn’t keep away Stephen. When my people learned he was flying back, they alerted me. We’ve been looking for him. I saw a delivery driver enter your place tonight without buzzing after he caught the door from a careless resident. He was suspicious, and I knew instinctively it was Stephen. I rushed upstairs?—”

She frowns. “You were, what? Outside my apartment?”

I nod, refusing to be ashamed. “Da. I had to make sure you were all right after you stormed out earlier, and my car outside was the closest I could get.”

“You’ve been spying on me for who knows how long? This is just… I… At least if I’d known, I could have made an informed decision.”

Her words hit home, and I feel a flicker of doubt. Have I truly done the right thing? In my world, a man protects what’s his, and I’ve claimed many things I wanted without a second thought. None of them were an independent, thinking woman though. “Perhaps you’re right,” I concede, “But my intentions were pure. I couldn’t bear the thought of anything happening to you.”

Her expression softens slightly, but the wariness remains in her eyes. “Intentions don’t justify actions. You can’t just decide what’s best for someone without their input.”

I nod slowly, acknowledging her point. “You’re right. I should have been more transparent, but now that you know the truth, will you at least hear me out? Let me explain everything?”

She hesitates, conflict evident on her face. Finally, she sighs. “Fine, but this doesn’t change anything. I still don’t trust you.”

“Fair enough,” I say, gesturing to the couch. “Shall we sit? This might take a while.”

As we settle onto the plush leather, I see tension in Jenny’s posture. She’s coiled like a spring, ready to bolt at any moment. I inhale sharply and exhale, preparing to lay bare the complexities of my world and my feelings for her. “It all started that night I saved you from Stephen,” I say, carefully watching her face for reactions. “I saw a quiet strength in you that drew me in, but I also saw vulnerability, and I knew then that I had to protect you.”

Jenny stares at me, her eyes widening with recognition. Her lips part in surprise as the memories of that night crystallize. “It was you,” she whispers. “You saved me from Stephen last year.”

I nod, studying the play of emotions across her face. “I did.”

She wraps her arms around herself, processing this revelation. “I knew there was something familiar about you. The way you moved, your accent...” Her voice trails off. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

“The timing wasn’t right.” I shift slightly on the cushion. “You weren’t ready to know who I really was.”

“And now?” She backs away, maintaining distance between us. “You think kidnapping me makes it better?”

“I didn’t kidnap you. I brought you somewhere safe.”

“Safe?” She laughs, and the sound is sharp and brittle. “You’re a criminal, Ivan. A mafia boss, who’s been stalking me.”

“I’ve been protecting you.”

“Thank you for saving me that night,” she says, her voice tight. “I mean that, but this?” She gestures around the apartment. “Following me, watching me, buying my job and firing everyone just to, what? Promote me? You’ve crossed every line there is.”

I laugh, the sound rich and dark. “Lines?Kotik, I erase lines. I make them. The world you think you know? It’s an illusion.”

“I’m leaving.” She moves toward the door.

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