Page 34 of Shatter Me

He steps closer, backing her against the wall. "Come now, we both know why you've been flirting all evening."

"I was being polite. Nothing more." Her words come sharp and clear.

Matthews plants one meaty hand beside her head, leaning in. "Don't play coy now, sweetheart. You've been asking for this all night."

Something snaps inside my chest. The careful restraint I've maintained all evening shatters like glass.

My footsteps are silent as I close the distance. Matthews doesn't notice my approach, too focused on cornering his prey. Tash's eyes meet mine over his shoulder, a mix of relief and triumph in their depths.

She played me. Deliberately provoked this exact scenario.

But that knowledge does nothing to temper the rage coursing through my veins as I watch Matthews' unwanted advances. If anything, it feeds the darkness rising inside me.

I grip Matthews' shoulder, fingers digging into the pressure point beneath his collarbone. His yelp of pain echoes through the corridor as I wrench him away from Tash.

"Mr. Matthews." My voice comes out soft and controlled. Deadly. "I believe you've had too much to drink."

He stumbles, face reddening as he realizes who I am. "Mr. Ivanov! I was just?—"

"Leaving." I twist his arm behind his back, using the leverage to march him several steps down the hall. Leaning close to his ear, I switch to a whisper. "If I ever see you touch her again, they won't find enough pieces to identify the body."

Matthews' face drains of color. He knows my reputation in the business world. Still, he has no idea of the true depths of my capabilities or the bodies already buried in shallow graves.

"It was a misunderstanding," he stammers. "I didn't realize she was?—"

I increase the pressure on his arm until he whimpers. "Your membership at the museum has been revoked. Your collection is no longer welcome. Leave. Now."

I release him with a shove. He stumbles, clutching his shoulder as he practically runs toward the exit.

Turning back to Natasha, I find her watching me with wide eyes. This is her first time witnessing this side of me—the careful mask of civility stripped away to reveal the predator beneath.

"Are you okay?" I ask, forcing my voice back to its usual smooth tone.

She nods. "I didn't expect him to follow me."

"Didn't you?" I step closer, caging her against the wall where Matthews had her trapped moments ago. "You've been provoking a reaction all evening."

Her breath catches. "Not from him."

"No." I trace one finger along her jaw. "You wanted to see what I would do. How far you could push before I snapped." I lean in until my lips brush her ear. "Be careful what you wish for,kulkolka. You might not like what happens when I lose control."

I brush my thumb across her jaw, savoring how her pulse quickens beneath my touch. "You have terrible aim, by the way. That paperweight missed me by at least three feet."

"Next time, I won't miss." Tash's eyes flash with lingering anger.

"Is that why you put on this little show with Matthews? Revenge for the board meeting?"

"Not everything revolves around you, Dmitri." She tries to step away, but my arm blocks her path.

"No? So you weren't trying to make me jealous by letting that oaf paw at you all evening?"

"I was being professional with a potential donor."

I lean closer, inhaling her perfume. "Professional doesn't involve batting your eyelashes and touching his chest. You wanted me to see it. To react."

"You're delusional."

"Am I? Then explain why you kept looking at me while he touched you. Making sure I was watching your little performance."

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