Page 23 of His Darkest Obsession
I try pulling away. But just like in the car, he refuses to let me go. This time, he gives me a slight tug to pull me away from the window at my back and towards the warmth of his body. The comfort of the unfeeling glass disappears and all I feel is the band of fire holding me in place by my wrist while he continuesto look at me with that infuriating mixture of annoyance and amusement.
My heart is racing now as I stare at him, and this time, Iknowhe can feel it in his rough calloused hands.
“It’s not a good enough answer.”
Anatoly's eyes narrow. His jaw works like he's grinding his teeth, as he chooses his next words carefully. I suppose he can come up with any kind of reason, since I’m not exactly in a position to resist him.
Which is all the more surprising that he settles on what sounds suspiciously like the truth.
"Fine,” he says. “If the man who asked me to kill you has asked others, thenthat tells me you’re worth more to me alive than dead. He wants me to dance to his tune, but you’re going to help make him dance to mine,” he answers. “And what better way to do that than to parade you in front of him as my wife. To show him that I can ruin him at a moment’s notice."
Somehow, I knew that he wanted to use me. But I didn't think that he would want to use me like this. Like I’m a tool instead of a person. An object to be paraded around until he gets what he wants.
But there’s something else that I focus on.
Ruin him at a moment’s notice…
That phrase cuts through me harder and sharper than it should. It burns everything else away, and leaving only twisted strands of familiar shame and even more familiar guilt in its wake. Invisible, they wrap around my throat, reminding me of thatawful summer, and choke out all other thought until I can barely breathe.
“And what about me?” I ask quietly. “What do I get in return?”
“You get to become my wife. And whatever my wife wants.” He gives me another tug. “She will get.”
My hand moves out to steady myself as I’m pulled closer to him, and my fingers come up against the hard ridges of his muscular body. The heat is overwhelming now.
But does he even know what I want?
What Itrulywant?
All he knows is that I’m something he can use to blackmail the mayor with. And as far as he knows, the only thing I might want is a better apartment, better clothes, better food. A better chance at life for me and my sister.
Things that he can solve withmoney.
He knows nothing about what I want, even as he promises to give that to me.
But what if he could?
The thought, dark and dangerous, slithers through my mind unexpectedly. Because thereissomething that he can give me more than money.
I’ve seen it already.
Hekilledto keep me safe. And in doing so, he’s held up his end of a bargain that I unknowingly agreed to the moment he told me to keep going after I nicked his neck with the razor.
My hand resting against his hard torso tightens ever so slightly, and I hear him pull in a soft but sharp breath.
"Fine." The word comes out stronger than I feel. "I'll marry you."
His eyes narrow. "Good."
"But I won't love you."
A ghost of a smile touches his lips. "I didn't ask you for your love,printsessa." He towers over me. "I only need the two of us to look convincing together for my plans."
Of course he does.
"How convincing?" I tilt my head up to look him in the eyes and press closer until my chest brushes against his.
“Convincing enough so the mayor believes that I would do anything for you,” he breathes.
