Page 22 of His Hold

I follow him through the crowd, past clusters of men who eye me like I’m the shark circling their sinking boat. The truth is, since I started working for Kirill five years ago I’ve gathered more foes than friends. The only upside when it comes to working for him is the women.

Yes, I’ve had them all since this unfortunate job began. Tall, short, thick, slim. Different nationalities and aerial codes, the ones who flash smiles meant to lure without even knowing your first name, the calculating ones who are after their next big paycheck. The ones who just want to rock your world and theirs too. But through it all, I’ve found that I’d rather ignore them. The ones who have indulged, have never heard from me again.

And the very few I’ve managed to run into again, well, they know better than to acknowledge me in public.

Kirill stops in front of a tall blonde in a silver dress that leaves little to the imagination. She’s all curves and polish with lips painted scarlet like she’s got plans to devour someone whole.

“Nikolai, this is my daughter, Alina.”

Daughter. Of course. Kirill’s been parading her around for years, offering her hand to whichever bastard will best secure his alliances. I’ve heard the rumors. She’s his favorite tool, sharpened and pretty. But I’ve never actually been in the same room with her until now.

“Nikolai Ramensky.” I nod, keeping my expression impassive.

Her smile is instant, all seduction and promise. “So you’re the infamous enforcer I’ve heard so much about. I expected someone…” Her gaze roams over me, lingering on my shoulders and my chest. “Older.”

“Disappointed?”

“Hardly.”

Kirill chuckles, but it’s a hollow sound. “I’ll leave you two to get acquainted.” And with that, he’s gone, swallowed up by the crowd.

Alina steps closer, her perfume too sweet, too cloying. “You don’t look like you enjoy parties.”

“I don’t.”

“But you came anyway.”

“I was told to.”

She laughs, a high, flirtatious sound. “Duty before pleasure. Admirable.”

“I wouldn’t call it that.”

She reaches out, with perfectly manicured fingers and traces along the sleeve of my jacket. “Maybe you just haven’t found the right kind of pleasure.”

I look at her then, like really look. She’s beautiful, the kind of woman who knows exactly what she wants and how to get it. But all I can think about is Katya. The way she looked at me, the fire in her eyes when she defied me. The way her skin felt under my hands.

Alina’s voice pulls me back. “I’m guessing you’re the kind of man who likes a challenge.”

“Sometimes.”

“Good.” She steps in close, her breath warm against my neck. “Because I’m definitely not easy.”

It’s a line meant to tempt me, and maybe it would have if I weren’t already wrestling with my own demons. But right now, Alina’s just a distraction. And distractions are useful.

“So prove it,” I say, leaning in, keeping my voice low. “Show me what you’ve got.”

She grins, throwing me the kind of smile that’s meant to be dangerous. And somehow the night goes on to be less boring than it began. We dance around each other with words, trading flirtations like blades, but I’m not really listening when she keeps going on about the same things. My mind’s already drifted back to Katya. To her rage. Her stubbornness. The way it all makes my cock hard every time I picture her.

I should be focused on Alina, on whatever game Kirill’s trying to play by pushing her toward me. But instead, all I can think about is the woman who forced her way into my life and won’t fucking leave.

Alina’s laughter breaks through my thoughts. She’s saying something about her father’s business, but the words barely register. I nod, throw in a comment or two to keep her entertained, but my attention’s already gone.

Thankfully, the sound of glass shattering cuts through the room. And all heads turn towards where we are standing as conversations die.

I’m still trying to understand what is happening when I see Alina crumple to the floor, her silver dress pooling around her like spilled mercury.

Kirill’s roar slices through the air. “Someone call a doctor!”

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