Page 50 of SINS & Riley
“They’re fine,” he says, calm enough to make me want to shake him.
“Really? Because it sounds like they’re about to be sacrificed in a Temple of Doom ceremony.” My heart hammers a war-beat while he stands there acting like I’m the hysterical one.
Another shriek rips the air, raw enough to peel my nerves.
I’m about to lose it. “Maybe children screaming bloody murder while everyone stands around isn’t an issue for you, but it’s damn well triggering for me.”
I lunge for the door to rip it off its hinges?—
Dominic slides ahead of me.
I’m two seconds from my own set of screams—mostly profanity—when he finally steps aside.
“Fine. See for yourself,” he whispers. “But if you tell Zver I let you watch…” His gaze cuts clean through me. “Your precious books become kindling.”
If looks could kill…
I edge forward, peering in.
What the actual?—
It’s an office.
It’s Zver’s office.
Dark wood. Heavy leather. Power radiating from every surface.
Not nearly the torture chamber I expected.
From the doorway, the scene unfolds?—
Misha bouncing on the desk, shrieking with glee.
Katya gripping a sword in both hands, white-knuckled, stance fierce—like a pint-sized warrior queen defending her throne.
And then there’s Zver.
A blade in his hand, and it takes me a full beat to process they’re not in danger. They’re laughing. Parrying. And knowing him, he’s one hundred percent letting them win.
All black on black, muscles coiled tight over an enormous frame.
The big bad wolf, 2.0.
After a quick chase around Misha Island, Katya lunges, her little sword leveled straight at Zver’s crotch.
My eyes fly wide.
“Defend yourself,” she commands, her voice fearless.
Slowly, Zver tilts the blade higher, pressing it to his chest.
Only then does a low growl roll out of him, deep and feral.
The man is the villain. Pure bad boy.
As if he could ever be anything else.
And yet he’s…tender with them.
