Page 14 of Dmitri

My brows knit in confusion. “You don’t get how beautiful you are, do you?”

“I mean…I get that I’m pretty, but…” I press my hand to her lips, stopping the doubt from her.

“You are more than pretty, and when you smile it’s like the entire world lights up.”

“I think you’re delusional.” She pats my chest with her hand, and I clamp my hand down over it. With a quick tug, she pressed against my body.

My head tilts down to hers and I confess, “No, I’m obsessed.”

“Dinner’s ready, Ms. Hardwick,” Chef Tomas says, stepping into the living area where we are standing. “Oh, Mr. Volkov, it is perfect that you are home just in time for dinner.”

“Yes, it is.” I stare at him with a hint of suspicion because he spent the afternoon with my future wife.

“Oh my…is that my suitcase?” she asks, finally noticing the luggage at the door while conveniently interrupting my stare down.

“Yes, I retrieved it from the hotel.”

“Thank you.” She throws her arms around me and squeezes my neck with her perfect tits pressed firmly against my chest. This woman is going to make me break and pin her against the sofa.

“You’re welcome. I’ll bring it to the bedroom after dinner.”

“Okay.” We head into the dining room where Chef Tomas brings our plates and the wine.

“I hope you like it. It’s one of my favorites.” I dug into the chicken parmesan thoroughly pleased with the flavor.

“I do like it, very much.” She smiles and my chest fucking pounds, demanding to lean over the table and kiss her, but I won’t until she’s ready.

“So, I need to call my stepfather.” My neck tenses up at the mention of that shady bastard.

“Why?” I growl.

“He’s probably so worried about me and what if they get to him,” she asks.

“You don’t need to worry about him.” She sets her fork down.

“What’s that supposed to mean? Do you think that because I want you that I’ll just give up my family?”

“Watch your tone,” I snarl. I’m doing my best to hold back the truth from her because it’s going to hurt.

“Why? Are you going to hurt me?”

“What’s your obsession with that? Did your stepfather ever abuse you or your mother?” I asked, needing to understand this fear of men other than the abduction.

“No, goodness no, but I know what you’re capable of.”

I push myself away from the table. “Enough. I’ve done nothing but protect and care for you. I can’t change the man I’ve been or what I’m forced to do, but I’m not even close to the most dangerous man you know.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“It means your stepfather was here today…in your hotel room.” Pulling out my cell phone, I opened the gallery and then handed it to her.

“Oh my God. What happened to my room?”

“He was looking for you and got pissed when you weren’t there.”

“What? But…he shouldn’t have gotten in.” She lifts a hand to her mouth and shakes her head back and forth. “I can’t believe this.”

“Do you know he has a life insurance policy on you?” I ask her pointedly.

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