Page 3 of Stolen By The Bratva King

His expression shifts, a spark of anger flaring beneath the surface. “Decided by who? Some prick who treats you like he owns you?”

“You don’t understand. It’s not that simple.”

“No? Tell me why.”

His presence is all-consuming, making my thoughts scatter. I want to push him away, yet I’m rooted to the spot, drawn to him against my better judgment.

“Why are you doing this?” I ask.

He pauses, then smiles. “Because you deserve better, val’kiriya.”

The honesty in his voice stuns me. No one’s ever said anything like that to me. What would it feel like to believe him?

Before I can process what’s happening, his hand moves to the small of my back, pulling me flush against him.

“You want me to go?” he murmurs, his voice deep and rough. “Tell me to walk away, and I will.”

My lips part, but the words die in my throat, every rational thought vanishing like steam.

Without waiting for permission, he leans in, capturing my mouth. His lips are firm and insistent, his hands warm as they slide up my back, tangling in my hair. I gasp, and he takes the opportunity to deepen the kiss, his tongue teasing mine.

For a moment, I forget everything—Dante, the wedding, my fear. There’s only him, his hands and mouth consuming me.

No. This can’t happen. Make him stop!

I hit out at him, and he breaks away. His gaze flickers over my face, a mixture of satisfaction and something darker in his eyes.

“Damn,” he murmurs, almost to himself.

My pager is buzzing at my hip, and he glances at it. “Duty calls,” he says. “You better go do your thing, Doctor Emery.”

“Who do you think you are?” I gasp. “That was—you can’tdothings like that!”

“I did though, didn’t I?” He grins at my outrage. “And remember, if anyone asks, I threatened you. Keep my name out of the matter.”

“That’ll be easy; I don’t know it.”

The corners of his eyes crinkle. “You’ll be thinking about me, so call me whatever you want. Goodnight.”

Then he’s gone.

It takes a few seconds for my frazzled nerves to unfreeze, and I dart to the door, catching sight of him as he strides through the parking lot, his silhouette cutting through the low glow of the streetlights.

A total stranger spoke to me like he genuinely cared. Hell, he saw right through me. How did he know things I haven’t even admitted to myself?

My heart rate never spikes in a crisis, but right now, it’s beating wildly against my ribcage. I bring my fingers to my lips, still tingling from his kiss.

Woah.Did that really happen?

3

Leon

Ican’t look back. If I turn around and see that angelic face again, I won’t be able to resist getting involved.

What the fuck was I thinking, forcing a kiss on some pretty doctor I met minutes earlier? What an asshole move.

The poor woman didn’t know what to do with herself, and no wonder—from the bruises on her arms, I’d guess she’s used to being pushed around by a man.

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