Page 28 of Beautiful Cruelty

I move silently out of the office, positioning myself against the wall just as the door swings open to reveal Lacey stepping inside. She's back to wearing the same clothes she had the day our paths crossed at Mrs. Klossner's.

Even down to the same coffee stain on the front of her blouse.

Her brow furrows in concern as she surveys the darkened living room, probably searching for signs of Walker.

Or at the very least, an answer for why the front door was unlocked.

The morning light streaming through the windows catches on her blonde hair, making it glow like a halo.

There's no more point in hiding. And the faster I can control the situation, the better.

I step out and her eyes widen in recognition when she sees me. Her purse and keys fall from her hand in shock.

Her mouth drops open, and I close the distance in three long strides and clamp my hand over her mouth before she can draw a breath to scream.

Her skin is soft and warm against my palm. Her irresistible scent—citrus and lavender—is overpowering now. Her eyes widen even further as I press her against the wall.

“I told you I’d find you later, Ms. McKinney."

8

LACEY

What the fuck?

What the actual fuck?

My heart stops. The world tilts beneath my feet as I stare up at the last person I expected to find here.

Vadim towers over me, his large hand pressing firmly against my mouth and muffling any sound I try to make.

My entire body freezes at his proximity, but something else stirs awake.

His other hand rests at my waist, steadying me. The touch sends sparks dancing across my skin. My knees feel weak, threatening to give out, but his grip keeps me upright.

My pulse races beneath his palm, and I can't help leaning into his solid warmth.

I close my eyes, trying to regain control, but that only intensifies everything—his proximity, the heat radiating from his body, the way my own form seems to melt against his frame.

The rational part of my brain screams at me to pull away, to demand answers about why he's here in the apartment I shared with Nathan.

But my traitorous body has other ideas, responding to his presence and closeness in a way that make coherent thought impossible.

I feel the rumble in his chest as he speaks against my ear, and another shiver runs through me. My fingers ball into fists so tightly that my knuckles turn white, desperately trying to anchor myself to something solid as my world tilts on its axis.

"Are you going to be quiet if I remove my hand?" His low voice sends chills down my spine.

I nod quickly, desperate for him to let me go.

The second his palm leaves my lips, I unleash the loudest scream I can muster.

His hand clamps back over my mouth instantly. "That was very stupid, Ms. McKinney." His breath tickles my ear. "I won't ask again."

Pure instinct takes over. I bite down hard on the flesh of his palm. He jerks back with a curse, and I bolt for the bedroom. My legs feel like jelly as I sprint across the apartment, my heart thundering against my ribs.

I'm halfway through slamming the door when his foot connects with it. The wood splinters and crashes inward. Before I can react, his body slams into mine, tackling me onto the bed. The mattress bounces beneath us as he pins me down, his weight pressing me into the comforter.

"No!" I shriek, thrashing against him.

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