Page 4 of Viktor

“Don’t worry, ma’am. I’ll handle it. You’ll just have to agree to a few things.”

“Like what?”

“Like doing what you’re told when I tell you to do it. Your and Delia’s security takes priority over everything else. What I do, I don’t do lightly, and I expect you to do as you’re told.”

He did not. Sara’s anger surged forward. “Do as I’m told?I spent the last eightyearsdoingas I’m told.No one has the right…”

She wanted to slap the hand Viktor put up to hush her. “I’m not your husband. I’m here to ensure your safety, and I will with whatever means necessary.”

Son of a bitch-nugget. Sara’s anger flamed out, and she was positive she had smoke coming out of her ears. She was done with men telling her what to do, when to do it, and how to do it. If his protection meant another form of submissiveness, he could go fuck himself.

Dimitri’s laugh pulled her out of her rage momentarily. “I will leave you both to hash out the details of your arrangement. Becca is up, and I need to go talk to her. I’ll see you guys later.” He blew Delia a kiss and left the table, leaving her alone with his brother.

His fathomless black eyes settled on her, and that same rush of warmth raced across her skin, but the fact he made her feel like this only fueled her anger all the more.

“Mrs. Riley.” Viktor leaned back and cracked his knuckles, something Roger used to do, and it caused an immediate reaction in both her and Delia. The child scooted as far away from him as she could, and Sara flinched. That particular movement meant Roger was about to swing his fist.

Delia jumped out of the chair and ran to Sara, burying her face in Sara’s lap.

“Hey, now, what is wrong,malyshka?”

“Roger used to crack his knuckles like that right before he’d hit me.” Her voice held that dead quality she hated. She blinked, trying to clear the memory of his fist flying toward her.

Anger vibrated off Viktor, and she shrank away from him. For all her bluster of before, shewasafraid. Afraid of a man who got angry because of what she’d suffered at the hands of a violent one.

“Mrs. Riley, Delia.” His tone was mild, and she saw how hard he worked to erase the rage from his body. “I am not Roger. I would never lift a hand in anger against any woman or child. I was raised better than that and would never shame my mother by doing something so vile. You have my word.”

Delia raised her head, tears running down her pale cheeks. “Promise?”

“I promise,malyshka. You will always be safe with me, even when I’m angry. And I probably will get angry, but it will never be directed at you or your mama.”

“Okay.” Delia sniffled loudly but didn’t budge from where she was wrapped around her mother. “What does maly…maly…”

“Malyshka?” he finished for her.

She nodded. “What does it mean?”

“It means ‘little girl’ in Russian, but it’s more a term of endearment.”

She looked at him quizzically not understanding.

“It’s more a term of affection.”

That, she understood, and a ghost of a smile graced her face. It endeared her even more to him. This kid needed more reasons to smile, and he promised to do what he could to achieve that. One smile a day. That was his goal for her.

“I’m sorry.” Sara hugged her daughter close. “I…”

“Don’t be sorry.” Viktor laid his hand over hers, a spark of electricity jolting him, but he didn’t move away. “You have every right to your feelings, and it will take time for you to learn to trust me. I understand, but you must accept that your safety is all I care about, and that means I am going to tell you what to do when it’s necessary. I won’t budge on that.”

“No.” Sara shook her head, pushing her fear back. “I won’t ever allow anyone to tell me what to do. Not ever again. You can advise, and if I think it’s acceptable, I will be more than happy to take that advice.”

“That’s not how this works.”

“It’s how it’s going to work.”

“No.”

Sara pursed her lips. “Then you’re fired.”

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