Page 12 of Phantom Mine

Chapter Four

Valentina

Alow, carnal growl reverberates deep in his throat. “You can’t dance here,” he announces.

My lips part in shock. His eyes drop to my mouth and linger there.

“Why not?”

I jump when his other hand curls around the front of my neck, closing tightly. His strong fingers necklace my throat and hold me at his mercy. The harmless illusion he projects is gone, easily replaced by this darker version of him.

Dozens of emotions swirl in his obsidian irises.

Anger. Hunger.

Desire.

A spark of danger shines in his gaze when he repeats, “You’re not dancing here.”

I lick my lips. “You liked it. You liked the way I danced.”

“I didn’t.”

Emboldened by the persona I’ve donned, I try something that Valentina would never dare, but that Misty doesn’t bat an eyelid at doing.

I reach over and palm his cock through his trousers.

His veryhardcock.

It jerks under my hand and I feel my cheeks heat in response.

“Junior here says you did like it,” I argue.

His top lip curls back slightly, eyes roving over my face. The timber of his voice drops even further. “Careful,” he warns, his hand tightening in my hair.

The word vibrates off his lips and seems to fall directly into my ear.

“You liked it,” I repeat, releasing him. “I earned this job fair and square.”

“I said no.”

Frustration simmers in my veins. I don’t understand. He clearly enjoyed what I did.

“Why?”

“I don’t have to give you a reason.”

Irritation morphs into anger. I’ve spent too much time working on this and have too much hope invested to let this stranger stand in my way.

“Then I’ll just go dance somewhere else,” I gamble, jutting my chin as much as I’m able to with his hand still wrapped around me. “I hearTantais hiring.”

Tantais the cartel’s largest and most profitable club. I’m hoping announcing I’ll go dance for a competitor ofFirenzewill rile him up.

I try to stand, but his hand tightens around my throat, nearly cutting off all oxygen. It’s a clear warning but I don’t back down. He doesn’t understand that I’ll risk my life to get this job.

And, worse, the pressure feelsgood.

My eyes flutter shut. I try to suffocate my physical reaction to his rough treatment of me, but it only grows stronger the more I attempt to fight it.

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