Page 90 of Set In Stone

“No,” shesnapped.

“Give that to me,” I orderedharshly.

“You’re not getting drunk, Alex. I won’t letyou.”

“Too late, baby. I’m well on myway.”

Her chocolate eyes gleamed with unshed tears, but I ignored them and wrestled the drink back from her. Amber liquid sloshed over the side of the glass, coating my hand and dripping onto the table. I looked at her as I slowly licked my fingers clean, eyeing her frostily as I didit.

“Why are you doing this?” shewhispered.

“Because I can. It’s who Iam.”

“You really do think that you’re just like him, don’t you? Look at you, trying to prove a point by fulfilling some stupid destiny that you conjured up. Sitting here in this club, getting drunk, acting like you’re some big bad dominant. Well, I’ve got news for you. Your behavior right now is anything but dominant. It’s weak,Stone.”

“The name’s Russo. And it is high time I accept who and what Iam.”

“You’re talking nonsense because you had too much to drink. This isn’t you,” she denied, shaking herhead.

“It’s not nonsense. It’s the truth. You know it as well as I do,” I spat out bitterly. “It’s time for you to leave. I came here tonight to move on, and there’s a whole slew of women out there ready to make meforget.”

I said it deliberately to hurt her. To make her leave this place. However, I didn’t anticipate the rage that boiled up in her, so hot and fast, I didn’t even see it coming. In one swift motion, she slapped me square across the face. My cheek stung from where her palm connected with my face, leaving me momentarily stunned. However, I recovered quickly when I saw her hand rise again. I caught her wrist in the air and gripped ittight.

“Don’t,” Igrowled.

“You asked forit!”

“Do you really think you know me, Krystina? You want to go to a quiet place to talk,” I said mockingly. “You don’t want me alone in a quiet room. You don’t know what I’m capable of. What’s inside me, just waiting to come out. Keep pushing me and I will breakyou.”

Her obstinate chin tilted upward again. Her eyes were still glazed with tears, but her expression was full of defiance as she stared medown.

“I dare you totry.”

33

krystina

Alexander ledme down a dark corridor and shoved me roughly through a door near the end. After a quick glance around, my eyes widened in horror. A bed covered in black sheets sat ominously in the middle of the shadowed room, with a wooden grate of sorts hanging above it from the ceiling. Restraints lined the walls, along with a slew of other BDSM paraphernalia that I only vaguely had time to process before I heard the door slam behindme.

I snapped to attention when I heard the click of a lock. I spun around to face Alexander, feeling beyond infuriated for the way he manhandled me. I was about to go off, but stopped when I saw his face. It was dark.Menacing.

“You wanted someplace private? Someplace quiet? Well, here you have it,” he growled as he moved towardme.

Before I could process what he was doing, he rushed at me. I went to take a step back, but he grabbed both of my wrists and pinned them behind me with one hand. With his other, he gripped my neck, spun me around, and shoved my chest hard against the concrete wall. I could feel his erection pressed up against my ass. I probably should have been afraid, but I wasn’t. I was just royally pissed. This wasn’t him. This wasn’tmyAlexander. And if he thought I would allow him to treat me like this, he had another thingcoming.

With my face was pressed against the wall, I tried to wiggle free. I couldn’t budge in hishold.

“Get off me,” Ihissed.

“No,” he said into my ear, pushing his groin harder againstme.

“Is this what it’s come to, Alex? Am I just another random whore from your club? If that’s how you want to treat me, then have at it!” Iyelled.

His hold on me slackened at my words. Taking advantage of the opportunity, I pulled my wrists free and spun back around to face him. His face was only inches away from mine as I stared up at him. The smell of liquor was hot and pungent on his breath. His eyes were hallowed and dark, his chest rising and falling at an erraticpace.

I pushed against his chest, needing to find space, but I may have been trying to move a brick wall. He laughed at my feeble attempt, but took a small step back. Grasping my upper arms, he looked me up and down, like he was trying to decide on what he wanted to do withme.

“Get undressed,” he finallyordered.

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