Page 110 of Hunt Me
From desire.
From an unsated need.
From a rush of adrenaline.
We were more alike than she realized, our needs dark, even dangerous. Yet I knew I couldn’t stop my actions, the yearning that would remain with me for hours, even days.
“Do we have a deal?” I asked.
“A return to my safe and happy life to help keep you out of prison.”
“A return to your dull and unsatisfied life after discovering the truth.”
She pursed her lips together as she glared at me. “Do I have a choice?”
“We all have choices.” She was sensing the threat was implied.
“Fine, Mikhail, but let me make you a promise. I don’t know how long it will take or how it will be possible, but one day, I will ruin you. I will be the one standing inside the courtroom on the other side of the aisle, smiling as the judge reads the guilty verdict, enjoying every moment of you sweating while he announces your lengthy sentence.”
I did so adore a woman with spunk. “I can’t wait to have the opportunity.” Letting her go would be the hardest thing I’d done in a very long time but was absolutely necessary. “And I’ll make you a promise and you need to listen to me very clearly, Bristol. As you’ve likely already guessed, I’m a man of my word. I’m extending the courtesy of releasing you, allowing you to return to your life. There are few parameters and I have no intention of interfering with your everyday life. However, if you choose to try and run or if you betray me, I will find you and when I do, there will be a price to pay, one I’m positive you won’t like.”
My hunger surfaced all over again, the need stronger than I’d experienced before. What I’d admitted was truthful as I’d been about everything else with her. I would shatter her defenses, peeling away the many layers she had surrounding her. Corrupting her innocence.
Shackling her.
Disciplining her.
Marking her lovely body.
And fucking her as often as I desired.
I was a sick man, one capable of doing heinous things.
But with her, I wanted more. Maybe I wanted to become the hero she so desperately craved.
Even if that wasn’t possible. Not in this lifetime.
CHAPTER 27
Bristol
Time seemed to stand still.
Or maybe I wasn’t interested in moving forward because I had no understanding of what the future would bring. Being with Mikhail had been like being swept up in a dark storm, the tumultuous atmosphere prepared to cast us into a dark abyss.
I’d felt such hatred toward the man, thinking him nothing but a ruthless, dangerous criminal. Yet I’d seen a softer side, not only because of the sorrow caused by the murder of his friend, but also from a subtle yet powerful need buried deep within him.
He was capable of obtaining everything he’d ever wanted in his life. Money. Women. Precious things. Yet none of them excited him. Nothing kept his rapt attention.
Except for one thing.
Me.
Was I just overthinking our connection or had our second meeting been forced by fate? A subtle laugh left my mouth. Maybe I’d been reading too many romance novels. I should feel thankful I was no longer in his clutches. I could go to the police and confess my sins if I wanted.
Then again, what would that do other than embarrass my father and potentially derail my career permanently?
I could have Mikhail arrested for kidnapping me. Although the low likelihood someone had seen us leaving together would put a damper on my story, and both our credibility would be played out in the media given who my father was and Mikhail’s role in the city.
