Page 24 of Claim

“What did I tell you?” I growl.

She shrugs, her movements light and quiet as she tiptoes past me to the body. She kneels gracefully on the ground, her knees sinking into the earth.

“Oh, Charles, what a shame. I guess that’s karma for being such a dickhead.”

I shake my head in disbelief. A sly smile plays on her lips as she meets my gaze.

This woman has me too stunned to even form words.

“Charles?” I tilt my head. I very much doubt that’s his name. I know of no Russian men called that.

She nods.

“I dunno. I gave all of them silly names that didn’t suit them. Helped pass the time. And pissed them off royally.”

I want to chuckle. She’s funny. But I can’t let her see that side of me.

She presses two fingers against the dead guy’s throat.

“What the hell are you doing?” I ask, hiding the amusement from my tone.

“Making sure he’s dead, dead. You know. I think it might be worth shoving another couple of bullets in his chest, just to make sure.” She looks back up at me, completely serious.

What the fuck went on in that house?

I clench my fists. If they’ve touched her, I swear to God, their deaths will be worse than I already planned. I’ll burn this entire estate to the ground.

I shake my head, bending down and grabbing her wrist with a firm grip, pulling her up.

“We need to go. Now.”

She salutes me, and that throws me off.

“Yes boss. You lead the way.”

How is she this calm in my presence? She’s smart. Fiery. Ruthless.

No. I don’t trust her one bit.

I squat down and scoop her up in my arms, her small frame resting comfortably against my chest.

“This is not the time for games,Anastasia.”I emphasize the last word.

Yep. I thought that would keep her quiet. I’m not her savior.

The freezing air whips against my skin. She must be turning to ice. I make my way through the treeline, and aim towards my truck. I place her on her feet next to the vehicle and unlock it, opening up her door.

“You want me to get in there, I take it?” Her teeth chatter as she speaks, so I shrug off my jacket and place it over her shoulders. For a split moment, her face softens.

She gives me a curt nod and jumps up into her seat. Hopping in the driver’s seat, I unholster my gun and rest it on my lap. This woman needs reminding who is in charge. I wait for her seatbelt to click and I turn on the engine, getting the fuck out of here as fast as I can.

I can feel her gaze burning into my side. In fact she radiates pure fire. I keep my eyes fixed on the road ahead and relax into the silence.

She clears her throat next to me and I glance over. Fuck. She’s gorgeous. Full lips, a button nose and those eyes. Damn, those eyes could break a man. Not me though.

“I’m not some weak princess that needs saving from the monster.”

I grip the steering wheel tighter. The way she speaks to me shouldn’t turn me on as much as it irritates me at the same time.

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